Brutally Short #5: Tombs, Killswitch Engage, Moon Tooth, The Algorithm

 

Tombs - All Empires Fall (Relapse)

Killswitch Engage - Incarnate (Roadrunner)

Moon Tooth - S/T (Self-Released)

The Algorithm - Brute Force (FiXT Music)

Why Can't the Grammys Get Metal Right?

I’ll start this post by saying that I know the Grammys are worthless, that they’re not so much a celebration of artistic integrity and merit as they are a way for the music industry to pat itself on the back for another year where CD sales haven’t stopped completely. There’s absolutely no reason to get worked up over such an occasion, no reason to care who or what gets nominated, much less who or what wins. But because this is the internet, I have an issue with the Grammys, and because this is a metal blog, you’ve probably surmised that my issue has to do with the nominees for best Metal Performance.

Killswitch Engage - Disarm The Descent

Whether you know them from their landmark albums Alive Or Just Breathing and The End Of Heartache or are more familiar with the short shorts and cape wearing on-stage antics of their lead guitarist Adam D, it only seemed fitting that the first review gracing our "Sounds Known" section would be from the extremely well known Killswitch Engage.  With Howard Jones gone and their original singer Jesse Leach back at the helm, these metalcore veterans return with their sixth full-length album, Disarm The Descent.  This latest offering brings a very welcome breath of fresh air to the band's discography and quite arguably some of the best tunes they've dished out since the aforementioned landmark albums.

We'll Do It Live Fridays: Revolution......Engage

First off, let me wish all of you out there a happy Friday the 13th!  It shouldn't be to hard to decide on what kind of movie marathon you should take part of today.

This weeks WDILF post comes from my recent, but not so surprising, metalcore obsession.  As the title may suggest, I'm certainly not pulling from any obscure bands here.

Check it out after the break. 

Killswitch Engage Parts Ways With Howard Jones

Word just got out, via their facebook page, that Killswitch Engage has officially parted ways with their lead singer, Howard Jones.  The official announcement is below.

"To our family, friends and fans: We have decided to continue on without Howard Jones as the singer of Killswitch Engage. We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we've had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well. He has left big shoes to fill, so we certainly have our work cut out for us to find the next singer of Killswitch, something we plan on making priority #1 going forward. Most importantly, thanks to all of you for all the support throughout the years and for sticking by us for all this time. We really do appreciate it and we very much look forward to having a new record for all of you in the not too distant future that we can all be proud of. Sincerely, Adam, Joel, Mike & Justin."

This is big news.  What does this mean for the future direction of KSE?  Will Jesse Leach be back in the picture?  These are only speculations for now, but it will certainly be interesting to see what develops

- Mick

Exclusive Interview: Times Of Grace

It was with great pleasure that I was able to sit down and chat with Jesse Leach of Times of Grace this past weekend when they came through the Bottom Lounge in Chicago. We discussed everything from the origin of Times of Grace to what they see happening in the future. Jesse is a great guy and seems to be having the time of his life on this tour.  He also delivered tenfold during their performance.  The dude has some pipes.



I also posted a few pics and a short video compilation of their show in Chicago.  Check them out after the break.

Review: Times Of Grace - The Hymn Of A Broken Man

Jesse Leach + Adam D. = vintage Killswitch Engage?  This was the ultimate question I kept asking myself as I counted down the days until I could listen to Time of Grace’s debut, The Hymn Of A Broken Man.  With that kind of expectation engraved in my mind, as I gave the album my first listen through, I ended up being slightly disappointed.  In retrospect, however, this disappointment was ultimately a good thing.  With another few listens through, I realized there’s something much more important about this album than my hopes of it being Alive Or Just Breathing: Part 2.  

Times Of Grace Debut

Above is the first released track of the new Times Of Grace album which reunites Adam D and the original singer of Killswitch Engage, Jesse Leach.  The track is available for download at RoadRunner's site for the next 48 hours.  I had commented on this project on the show a little while back and was pretty excited for it.  Both Adam and Jesse said the project would be a culmination of many musical elements.  But from what I hear on this track, it sounds pretty much like the old Killswitch Engage (which I would never in a million years complain about).

- Vicious Mick \m/ \m/

Get "Belushied" By Adam D.

So I just happened to remember about this vid randomly. I first found it when Jack and I had our interview with Brian Fair of Shadows Fall and was utterly amazed at how I had not seen this before. It features Adam D. of Killswitch Engage (being Adam D. essentially) and Jon Donais of Shadows Fall doing a very well done advertising spot for Takamine. This vid is even funnier if you realize that Jon is playing Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff" at the beginning. Anybody who's seen Animal House will also appreciate the "Belushied" reference.

- Vicious Mick \m/ \m/