Incarnate

DEEP CUTS: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE- WE CARRY ON

During my album deep dive into Killswitch Engage, I was quickly reminded of a song of theirs that is truly one of the best in their entire repertoire. For this one we go back to the band’s 2016 album, Incarnate, and find it at track eleven, “We Carry On.”

“We Carry On” what a song! There’s a deeply impassioned vocal performance by singer/lyricist, Jesse Leach throughout the album but, when you get to this song in the course of listening, there’s just something truly remarkable. The weight of the lyrics bellow out of Jesse’s heart into direct hit of optimism and hope. Guiding this vocal is music that hits the right melancholic notes with just the right amount of heaviness to push through the wall and make it past it all.

Songs like this are magnetic and beautiful. I distinctly recall when I bought this CD back in 2016 (Happy Ten Year Anniversary!! By the way), I put it on my stereo at home, grabbed my headphones, went to my favorite spot, pressed play and read the lyrics as I listened. When I got to “We Carry On” there was an instant connection to the song. One of those gems that deep in the track listing.

As great as this song is, it’s only been played live four times. And all in 2023. You lucky 4 shows! Just going to put this out in the universe to put “We Carry On” in the setlist going forward!! It’s too damn good not to play it!

Killswitch Engage- We Carry On:

ALBUM RANK: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

After the decline of nu-metal in the mid 2000’s, the hunger for heavier music became rabid. The polarizing “New Wave Of American Heavy Metal” took the best of the three worlds of heavy metal, hardcore and punk and laid a forever legacy and foundation for generations to come. One of the first names that comes to mind when talking about this era is Killswitch Engage.

Killswitch Engage has the unique perspective to have essentially three chapters so far. What is really interesting about this, is to hear the evolution of a band through twists and turns both professionally and personally. These lessons play out through the music and lyrics. When listening back through all their albums, certain one of course will always be classics but, hearing the others with a different thought process makes those stand out in different ways.

Below is the Audioeclectica Album Rank of all nine Killswitch Engage studio albums.

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Album Review: Killswitch Engage- Incarnate

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This is the first album that I’ve been anticipating all year. A few years back when Killswitch announced that Jesse was back in the band, it got me very excited. Disarm The Descent was a great way to welcome Jesse back into the fold. Now on this new album Incarnate, the band have stepped it up in a huge way. Taking a cue from their masterpiece Alive Or Just Breathing, the songs on the album get deep lyrically and musically they are taking chances, expanding on the melodic metal sound they helped to bring to the masses. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed on this album is Jesse’s voice. His screams are more direct and menacing in his delivery of the lyrics, while his clean singing voice has gotten better and better over the years. His range and emotion while singing is a true stand out amongst the talented musicians. One of my favorite songs “Embrace The Journey…Upraised,” really has the feel of the Alive era, but this song brings it in a different way, adding more ambience to the song, making it more epic by nature. Not to mention the positive outlook in the words. “Quiet Distress” is similar to the Times Of Grace project that Jesse and Adam have on the side. Its acoustic setting and dual vocals really drive home the message of the song. “Just Let Go” is another emotionally charged song that sees Jesse bare his soul a little more. “Strength Of The Mind,” is a classic Killswitch song, that will get the crowds going when they play it live. The song “It Falls On Me” is one of the most epic songs the band had ever put out. This is my favorite song on the album as of this writing. I hope it becomes a fan favorite and they include it in their setlist rotation. For those looking for a real head banging track “The Great Deceit” is the song you want. Closing out the album is “Ascension,” a song that sums up the entire album lyrically.

Incarnate is an album that will leave you feeling a sense of hope and positivity. One of the things I look for in bands is the ability to write strong lyrics that have depth and meaning. Jesse Leach has done just that and then some. He has bled his heart and soul out on this album. Since I first heard his voice and lyrics, I’ve been a fan of his. Not to take anything away from what Howard Jones did with the band, but Jesse has always been the voice of the band for me. If Killswitch carries on with the direction they went with Incarnate, they will have many more years of longevity to come.

 

Killswitch Engage- Incarnate:

Anticipated Albums: Killswitch Engage- Incarnate

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Back in 2013 after many years away from Killswitch Engage, singer Jesse Leach came back to the band. The result was astounding and the album Disarm The Descent that marked his return was fantastic. Now in 2016, the band is back and ready to unleash their next album, Incarnate. March 11th can’t come soon enough!!!

 

Killswitch Engage- Strength Of The Mind:

 

Killswitch Engage- Hate By Design:

 

Killswitch Engage- Cut Me Loose:

 

Killswitch Engage- Alone I Stand:

 

Killswitch Engage- Just Let Go:

 

Killswitch Engage- Embrace The Journey…Upraised:

 

Killswitch Engage- Quiet Distress:

Album Rank: Killswitch Engage

Killswitch_Engage_by_V1N3_wallpaperSince their album Alive Or Just Breathing, I’ve been a fan of Killswitch Engage. Their original singer Jesse Leach has one of the best voices in heavy music. His lyrics stretch beyond the generic norm of what everyone writes. After he left and was replaced by Howard Jones, Killswitch went on to further success and released a great album in The End Of Heartache. Although the albums that followed weren’t as good as their first two, they were still scattered with some really great songs. A couple years back Jesse came back to the band and their album Disarm The Descent was a great comeback. So here is a ranking of their albums from not the best to their best.

Killswitch Engage (2009):

Killswtich Engage (2000):

As Daylight Dies:

Disarm The Descent:

 

Incarnate:

The End Of Heartache:

Alive Or Just Breathing: