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Killswitch Engage

Alive Or Just Breathing (2002)
Roadrunner Records

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Contributed by: kevtv
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 19th 2002

Lately, many releases follow a set formula and bands do a lot more than just wear their influences on their hoodies. Really, why bother listening to a CD case-full of bands that sound more similar than unique? For those looking to escape the monotony that so much punk has to offer, here is the Roadrunner Records debut by Killswitch Engage.

Killswitch Engage formed only a couple years ago from the ashes of New England hardcore bands and immediatly made a local impact due their absolutely ferocious audio assult. Blending full-on hardcore with metal riffs and a vocalist who can go from screaming to singing instantaniously (Think Tim Williams from VOD, except with a much improved singing voice), Killswitch Engage's blend of music is a band to be reckoned with, and "Alive or Just Breathing" stands as a musical achievement.

Not only does Killswitch Engage not emulate other bands in a carbon-copy fashion, each song stands out as a seprate offering instead of one song played 12 times.

The second track, "Self Revoltion" has every ingredient a Killswitch Engage song is seasoned with; precise, powerful drumming, major shredding and killer guitar riffs, screaming verses and a beautiflly sung chorus break.

The single off of the disc, "My Last Serenade," eases in with gentle acoustic strum (a la Metallica's "Battery") before blasting off into riffs that dare you to sit still (The video just got added to some MTV rock show as well as Much Music...look for it.)

Although an extremely heavy band, Killswitch's lyrics avoid typical tough lyrics and opt for more thoughtful and positive words to accompany their music. Take "Vide Infra," one of the two re-recorded songs from their debut disc ("Temple From the Within" being the other), when it says, "I will stand up for who I am, never moved by condemnation, no one is placed higher than another, no matter race or creed or gender, we must teach compassion for all life, through understanding of our differences, we wil find respect for one another..."

The production on this CD is stellar and forces the music clear out of your speakers, destroying all in it's path. There is no bad news when it comes to this disc. Unfortunately, there is some bad news with the band. Vocalist Jesse Leach quit very recently. He has been replaced but his gifted voice will be missed.

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Satelliteyrs (October 2, 2006)

perfect

Anonymous (October 28, 2004)

awesome disc, but their first was better. the original 'temple' and 'vide infra' were 20x better

Although the first versions of temple and vide infra were killer, I think the new ones are much better. The songs were more in sync. The guitars sound alot better, and there was one specific spot in Vide Infra where they slowed down the double bass, which worked out better cause the beat wasn't off at all and you could hear the guitar parts better. And I think Adam playing guitar instead of drums was a good idea. not knocking his drumming skills, but he's a much better guitar player. If you really listen, the new versions are much better produced.

soulbleed (May 26, 2003)

awesome disc, but their first was better. the original 'temple' and 'vide infra' were 20x better

joeg (February 18, 2003)

"good band too, can't wait to see the slipknot kids sporting killswitch tee shirts, along with killer hot topic pants"

haha. they're on ozzfest this year. now you'll see kids with slipknot AND korn shirts.

Anonymous (October 1, 2002)

Pretty much the best album that i have bought this year. This is just amazing

kevtv (July 23, 2002)

yea, ok, so i wrote the review without REALLY proofreading, i'll explain....

every killswitch song, to me, can be easily distinguished from the others, as opposed to a lot of heavy bands i hear that you can't tell when one song ends and one begins. each song has its own personality, vibe, and killer killer riffs.

as far as "self revolution having every ingredient a KsE song has", each song utilizes great riffs with jesse's awesome vocals etc...but each song can stand on its own from the rest of the songs while still retaining it as a killswitch engage song. if you listen to cave in's "jupiter", to me, every song on that is unique and unlike all the other songs on the cd, yet they all can be labeled as a cave in song. if that makes any sense, horray for me, if not, IM me or something, xcactsjakx. adios buddy. kev

Anonymous (July 22, 2002)

I dont know anything about this band, and I might go check them out too, but does anyone else find this a bit hypocritical?

"each song stands out as a seprate offering instead of one song played 12 times.

The second track, "Self Revoltion" has every ingredient a Killswitch Engage song is seasoned with"

evildeadalive (July 19, 2002)

God I hate Kittie.

Anonymous (July 19, 2002)

I saw these last week in concert and I wasn't impressed. I thought they were they worst band there (next to Kittie).

Anonymous (July 19, 2002)

The singer has been replace with the Blood Has Been Shed singer, who also have a nice screaming and singing voice. Dont know why but his singing reminds me of incubus.
-ejaculine

Anonymous (July 19, 2002)

"You're days are numbered..."

This record is amazing. Definately pick it up.

Anonymous (July 19, 2002)

I picked this album up really cheap and it's fucking great, hard to believe it is a Roadrunner.

Anonymous (July 19, 2002)

good review. short and sweet.

good band too, can't wait to see the slipknot kids sporting killswitch tee shirts, along with killer hot topic pants.

I'm counting the days...