Album Review: Killswitch Engage – This Consequence (Metal Blade Records)

Killswitch Engage, the iconic metalcore band, are back with their brand-new album, ‘This Consequence’, out on February 21st, 2025, via Metal Blade Records.

Has it really been so long since we’ve had a new Killswitch Engage album to talk about? Their last full-length album was 2019’s ‘Atonement’, and a lot has happened since then. I mean a hell of a lot, both internally and externally for the band. Yet, here we are! It’s 2025 and the long-awaited new album is here, delivering all manner of familiar KSE metal goodness. Which, depending on your feelings, will be the best news ever or the worst. Killswitch Engage aren’t ones to push boundaries and this new album is them through and through, albeit focused and refined.

I have a bit of ‘like/dislike’ relationship with Killswitch Engage. I am of a certain age where I can say that I’ve been listening to them for most of their career (25-years now), and for every release I’ve enjoyed, there’s been another that I didn’t. I’ve never quite loved the band (in any iteration) but I’ve also never hated them. Rather, I often find myself feeling quite blasé about their music, even more so in the modern era.

So, why am I bothering to review this new record? It’s simple really. What’s a mind for, if not for being changed and I want it to be changed as far as Killswitch Engage goes. I want to love them the way so many others do, and happily, this album goes some way to making that more possible.

All because it is packed with strong metalcore anthems, and as we all know, they’re quite untouchable when it comes to delivering those. Case in point? The crisp sound of Abandon Us, the heavy mania of Discordiant Nature (the drums slay here), and the big melodic sounding guitars of Aftermath.

Hoping for innovation or experimentation? It simply doesn’t exist here, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a solid and enjoyable trio of tracks that will please long-term fans. Which is the sizable group that Killswitch Engage are focused on completely now, solidifying their icon status, and looking to ensure their popularity will only continue thanks to the accessible heaviness of a track like Aftermath (the chorus will go down well live) and the emotional heft of I Believe. The latter of which is sure to be a long-term fan favourite, even if it does little to excite.

Do you believe in Killswitch Engage? They sure believe in themselves, and that confidence in what they’re creating continues to flow with the hefty groove-tinged head banger that is Where it Dies (a personal favourite) and the powerful Collusion. The vocals and drums are where it’s at on the latter track.

No big surprises either as the album moves into its latter stage, Killswitch Engage sticking to type, albeit with an enjoyable flurry of heaviness on The Fall of Us and Broken Glass. Before Requiem finish things up in classic KSE fashion; big riffs, punchy rhythms, and a brash blend of ‘core’ heaviness and melody.

It delivers exactly what most expect, and while it won’t set the world alight, it’s got more than enough enjoyable aspects to slot alongside some of the high points of their 25-year career. Has my mind been changed? Not really, it’s solid Killswitch Engage music, I just want a bit more creativity from them.

Killswitch Engage – This Consequence Track Listing:

1. Abandon Us
2. Discordiant Nature
3. Aftermath
4. Forever Aligned
5. I Believe
6. Where It Dies
7. Collusion
8. The Fall of Us
9. Broken Glass
10. Requiem

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