After the Burial - Evergreen (2019)

Sumerian Records, April 19, 2019

Tracklist

1. Behold the Crown

2. Exit, Exist

3. 11/26

4. In Flux

5. Respire

6. Quicksand
7. The Great Repeat

8. To Challenge Existence

9. A Pulse Exchanged

After the Burial's Evergreen is the band's fifth release on Sumerian Records and their first with current bassist Adrian Oropeza. The band has gone through some hardships especially with the tragic loss of rhythm guitarist Justin Lowe, but have remained a key presence in the progressive metalcore scene throughout their existence. Like their previous two albums Wolves Within and Dig Deep, Evergreen is nine tracks long and has a runtime of approximately forty minutes. The group's Meshuggah influence and Trent Halfdahl's technical skill on the guitar is evident and listeners know to expect from an After the Burial album. The opening track and early single, "Behold the Crown", is dominated by pitch harmonics and a single catchy riff pattern, not unlike "Lost in the Static" from 2016's Dig Deep. However, it's the three tracks in the middle that prove to be Evergreen's most interesting moments. "In Flux" is the album's longest track at six minutes long and is one of its best. This song is both impressive in its complex riffs and composition and provides Evergreen with some needed dynamics, ending with a two-minute ambient instrumental section that leads directly into "Respire". "Quicksand" closes and opens with a similarly ambient section, and follows a slower, more ominous pace. It's got a darker undertone to it and builds nicely. "Respire" bookends these two tracks that have ambient sections, and is a more straightforward song that really stands out for its melodic guitar solo and riffs.

Evergreen is a solid technical metal album that doesn't have many issues with it. The drawbacks mainly come down to a lack of variety. Though a couple of tracks change up the pacing or atmosphere slightly, some variation in the vocals or additional dynamics would help the individual tracks stand out more on their own. I also would have liked to hear a track with buildup and release like "Disconnect" in the mix. Overall, while Wolves Within is still my favorite from this band, Evergreen is a very solid release from a band that remains consistent in their output, and earns a score of 8/10.

Killswitch Engage - Atonement (2019)

Metal Blade Records, August 16, 2019

Tracklist

1. Unleashed
2. The Signal Fire
3. Us Against the World
4. The Crownless King
5. I Am Broken Too
6. As Sure As the Sun will Rise
7. Know Your Enemy
8. Take Control
9. Ravenous
10. I Can't Be the Only One
11. Bite the Hand that Feeds

Influential Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage is known for their positive, often uplifting lyrics and their sound has remained fairly consistent, even with having two different lead vocalists since their incarnation.   Atonement, the band's eighth project overall, is the fifth with Jesse Leach on vocals, and the first under the label Metal Blade Records. Jesse Leach underwent vocal chord surgery and rehabilitation in April 2018.  While the procedure forced the band to cancel and reschedule some shows and pushed back the release of Atonement, it has benefited this album. Jesse's vocal performance is the high point here.  He sounds more versatile and comfortable, and his range and lower register have noticeably improved.The mid-tempo track "Unleashed" opens the album, and is a pretty safe single, as it would fit on Incarnate seamlessly and is structurally similar to "It Falls On Me".  While it is nothing outside the box for the band, it introduces the album well. The next track "The Signal Fire" is much heavier and faster, and features KSE's former frontman Howard Jones.  This track is comparable to classic mid-2000s metalcore songs and is the album's best song.

With Atonement, the best songs are the faster, aggressive tracks like "Ravenous" and "The Crownless King". Most of the mid-tempo tracks are basically more of the same that Killswitch Engage has offered in previous albums.  Songs like "As Sure as the Sun Will Rise", "I'm Not the Only One" and second single "I Am Broken Too" are pretty standard Killswitch Engage and stand out primarily for their positive messages.  Jesse Leach has been a longtime advocate for mental health awareness and the clear message of solidarity and encouragement lets listeners know they are not alone in their struggle.  Now these songs don't stand out too much from the rest of the band's slower material other than "I'm Not the Only One" which is highlighted by the inclusion of brief quiet, melodic guitar chords.

Atonement isn't an album that takes many risks. The songs follow the same format and outside of Times of Grace, Jesse Leach's and Adam Jones' side project, these guys rarely deviate from a formula. However, coming from a band with a sound as recognizable as Killswitch Engage it isn't a necessity for them like it would be for a more obscure band.  While this album may not have an "Always" or "My Curse" it is a welcome addition to the catalog of one of the founding bands of metalcore.  Atonement is a stronger album than its predecessor, Incarnate, and earns a solid 8/10 rating.