Country: USA Music: Metalcore Label: Roadrunner Cool Songs: Daylight Dies, Holy Diver, This is Absolution KILLSWITCH ENGAGE originally released “As Daylight Dies” in 2006, but Roadrunner recently re-issued it as a special edition. The special edition comes in a two-disc, digipack set. The first disc contains all the original tracks plus four bonus tracks: “Be one,” “Let the Bridges Burn,” “This Fire,” and a cover of DIO’s “Holy Diver.” They took “This Fire” from the WWE soundtrack “Wreckless Intent.” This track is the ring entrance music of current ECW heavyweight champion, CM Punk. The second disc contains DVDs for “My Cure,” “The Arms of Sorrow,” and “Holy Diver.” Their video rendition for “Holy Diver” has been a major topic of discussion amongst watchers of the Headbanger’s Ball. KILLSWITCH performs the song true to their style, but it works well because Howard Jones has such a smooth singing voice. The video is true to the fantastic nature of the original, but with a comedic slant. Each member dresses as a medieval character. Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz plays a type of Sleeping Beauty character who awakens to greet her rescuer with enormous height and unfeminine body hair. The king has no part other than eating an enormous turkey leg. Also, each video has a "making of" feature. For those who didn’t purchase this album the first time around, “Daylight Dies” doesn’t veer away from the style they established on their first record with Howard Jones, “The End of Heartache.” The direction of this album consists of heavy, chugging thrash rhythms, Swedish-style guitar harmonies and many harmonic, vocal breaks. “This is Absolution” moves at a chugging, locomotive rhythm before sliding down the guitar scale in HAMMERFALL-like fashion. The chorus consists of a mellow guitar riff that drops even further to an acoustic sound and Howard Jones layering his mellifluous voice over harsh vocals. “The Arms of Sorrow” begins with an acoustic harmony then transitions to fluid, breakdown verse complete with false harmonics and a finger-tapping guitar harmony. This track is one of the more passionate songs, mostly sung in Jones’ clean voice. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE again proves they deserve their place amongst today’s mainstream acts. Sure, they perform music that has gotten overblown and cliché, but they have always done it with such skill, keeping the heavy parts, heavy and memorable, and creating lush, sing-along melodies. Even though they display characteristics of other bands of this fold, KILLSWITCH will never be mistaken for another band. “As Daylight Dies” Special Edition has enough bonus material and is of such a slick quality that fans are sure to get their money worth. - Darren Cowan Tracklist: 1. As Daylight Dies 2. This is Absolution 3. The Arms of Sorrow 4. Unbroken 5. My Curse 6. For You 7. Still Beats Your Name 8. Eye of the Storm 9. Break the Silence 10. Desperate Times 11. Reject Yourself Total playing time 44:11 12. Be One (3:31) 13. Let the Bridges Burn (4:29) 14. This Fire (3:10) 15. Holy Diver (4:10) Bonus DVD: 1. My Curse (Music video and Making of) 2. The Arms of Sorrow (Music video and Making of) 3. Holy Diver (Music video) Band line-up: Howard Jones - Vocals Joel Stroetzel - Guitars Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitars Mike D'Antonio - Bass Justin Foley - DrumsRead full review
The fourth full-length from post-hardcore metal outfit Killswitch Engage steps up the already stellar caliber of the punishing music featured on their prior releases. In fact, AS DAYLIGHT DIES weighs in as one of the group's best releases, showing off their increasingly dazzling technical prowess and musical sophistication while never compromising their relentless attack. That Killswitch Engage is able to mix melody with their sonic wallop is one of the band's greatest assets, and a song like "This Is Absolution," which alternates stomping screamo with a soaring singalong anthem, is a case in point. Vocalist Howard Jones can switch from subhuman roars to melodic metal singing in the blink of an eye, and the band, likewise, can drop into various meters, blaze through textured riffs, and create sledgehammer rhythms that thunder and crush. These qualities will be familiar to Killswitch fans, but the band just does everything better on AS DAYLIGHT DIES, turning in one of the most accomplished metal releases of 2006. Killswitch Engage: Howard Jones (vocals); Mike D'Antonio (bass guitar); Adam Dutkiewicz, Justin Foley , Joel Stroetzel . Personnel: Adam Dutkiewicz (vocals, guitar); Howard Mumford Jones (vocals); Joel Stroetzel (guitar); Justin Foley (drums). Audio Mixer: Adam Dutkiewicz. Recording information: Longview Farm (2006); Zing Studios, Westfield, MA (2006). Photographer: Daragh McDonagh.Read full review
very good melodic metal. i've know about these guys for years, but i'm just getting into their stuff. particularly this album. the end of heart ache is really good, i'm not a fan of the breakdown type of riffage, but their catchy/melodic parts outweigh them. awesome vocals too \m/
Definitely worth it! Each song is a banger and even though it's not the deluxe version, I still love it! If you're a heavy metal/metal core fan this is the CD for you!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
As Daylight Dies is classic Howard Jones and Killswitch Engage magic. Tight band, great music, and his fabulous voice.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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