...
Next is the title track, "The End of Heartache", and what a magnificent five minuntes of music it is. After the last 20 minutes or so brought up images of people throwing motorcycles at each other, this is a heartfelt, powerful, almost ballad-esque blast of calming metal music. The only ... Read review
Advantages: Powerful, clever, often graceful Disadvantages: Uninventive lyrics on some tracks, a little samey
...is the title track, "The End of Heartache", and what a magnificent five minuntes of music it is. After the last 20 minutes or so brought up images of people throwing motorcycles at each other, this is a heartfelt, powerful, almost ballad-esque blast of calming metal music. The only song, I would argue with inventive lyrics, the mixture of cruising radio friendly singing and chugging metal riffage (a word almost too apt for the situation) ... ...from this point until the end of the album, it is hard to tell where one track ends and another begins. This does show an excellent recording quality, I suppose, with the tracks rolling into one another, but the lack of variety makes you check your CD player again, to see just how long that song is, though 3 or 4 have passed.
So, overall, this is a great metal CD. Fans were left very upset at the band losing their original lead singer ... more
As one of the biggest metal bands around today, Killswitch Engage have built up a vast legion of loyal fans, and rightly so, judging by the sheer force behind their music. Whilst not for the faint-hearted, their mixture of brute force and grace is rarely seen in today's rock scene, and so we should appreciate them even moreso. But, as mentioned, (and it's worth repeating), this is NOT for the faint-hearted.
The opening track on the album, "A Bid Farewell", is one of the better ones, with an almost haunting guitar line introduction, which starts to chug along until the vocals come in. From here on in, excluding the chorus', it's all about the screaming, and the immensely technical guitar line. The chorus' have a wonderful squeling lead line behind Howard Jones' graceful lyrics. After the second chorus, we get a much faster bridge section, and the contrast shown throughout the song is a good display of Killswitch Engage's musical talent.
Next up are "Take This Oath" and "When Darkness Falls". The titles of these first three songs alone give you an idea of KsE's (as I will refer to them from now on) ony weakness: their lack of lyrical and topical creativity. Every song is basically about the same thing, with the conventions of metal all present; the odd religious referrance, darkness, destruction etc etc. This, though, isn't really an issue when you can't really hear the lyrics very clearly anyway. Lyrics aren't what this record is about at all. It's about showing off technical ability, and how a true metalcore band should be playing.
The band really do include all of there talents on the next three tracks in particular. "Rose of Sharyn" is the most well-known song on the whole CD, and rightly so. It travels through your head at a blistering pace, stopping only to rest on the powerfully reflective breakdown section, with no more than quiet backing vocals. The verses are quite spectacular (with by far the greatest use of the 'hammer-on, pull off' technique you will ever hear), and the chorus' are gracious beyond anything else in the metal genre. A spectacular track.
The next track is "Inhale". At only 1.15, it's the shortest track on the album. There are no lyrics, and all there is basically are some quiet guitars, with a sort of improvised lead line over the top becoming more prominent towards the end. It's a lovely, swaying piece, and whilst completely unexpected on an album like this, it doesn't feel an inch out of place. It glides graaciously on, before moving seamlessly into the next track.
That next track is "Breathe Life", and is one of my personal favourites from the record. The intro riff is fast and technical, and after the opening verse (with some superb drum work with the double bass pedal), it breaks in again, but with vocals over the top. It's the sort of riff that you can't help but attempt to play air guitar too. The chorus acts in a similar way to all the other chorus' on the album; as a gracious, melodic rest from the pounding of the rest of the track. There is also a truly, undeniably wicked four bar solo about two thirds through, which ends far too quickly for my liking, but I'm not going to mark KsE down for that.
Next is the title track, "The End of Heartache", and what a magnificent five minuntes of music it is. After the last 20 minutes or so brought up images of people throwing motorcycles at each other, this is a heartfelt, powerful, almost ballad-esque blast of calming metal music. The only song, I would argue with inventive lyrics, the mixture of cruising radio friendly singing and chugging metal riffage (a word almost too apt for the situation) leave you gobsmacked. This ws so much the case with me, that I have now learnt to play this song on drums, bass and guitar. What this tells you, is that it is a remarkably simple piece, that KsE have made sound incredibly complex. The way the instruments fit together is mind blowing. Towards the end, it's good to see that the band couldn't fight the urge to throw some screaming in, with some huge, bending deep notes thrown in for good effect. They even manage four bars of acoustic guitar, which is again all too fitting, before blasting into the last graceful chorus.
From here on in, the album is a bit samey, as if the band got the order of the tracks wrong. The first seven are pretty spectacular, and whilst the next track "Declaration" is a good one, played at a pretty high tempo, you can't help thinking that you've heard something very similar before. This is a bit of a problem. A good point to make is that from this point until the end of the album, it is hard to tell where one track ends and another begins. This does show an excellent recording quality, I suppose, with the tracks rolling into one another, but the lack of variety makes you check your CD player again, to see just how long that song is, though 3 or 4 have passed.
So, overall, this is a great metal CD. Fans were left very upset at the band losing their original lead singer after recording their last album, "Alive or Just Breathing", and many were already in a negative frame of mind about this newer outing from the band. Many of these people I know, and they have been blown away by the qaulity of this record. Yes, the lyrics are samey, and for those looking for a more 'cultured' piece, Killswitch Engage aren't the band you want to listen to. But if you want to hear some technical wizardry, some passion, some force, and some headbanging musical destruction, then this record was produced for you alone.
As more metalcore bands hit the music scene (some very good, such as "As I Lay Dying" and "Every Time I Die"), it is a crdit to Killswitch Engage that their music still rises head and shoulders above their younger, fresher competitors.
This a tremendous CD. If you think you can handle it, you need to go out and buy it. If not you can give it an almost fearful glance next time you pass it in HMV. Many do. They are missing out.
+++Track Listing+++
A Bid Farewell Take This Oath When Darkness Falls Rose of Sharyn Inhale Breathe Life The End of Heartache Declaration World Ablaze And Embers Rise Wasted Sacrifice Hope Is...
Advantages: hard,heavy music,alot of emotion and feeling Disadvantages: can be a bit to much for the gentler types!
...and brought the CD "The end of heartache." straight away. I am writing this review so I can let other people who know nothing about the band know good this cd is. After all, thats the point isnt it? ^_^ I am listening to the CD as I write this so I will be able to give an accurate review of the album. I will write about my favorite songs on the CD, although there are no tracks that I really dislike.
The cover of the cd gives the perfect representation ... ..." The End of heartache" is going to be the second single of the album and when you listen to it, you can see why. It starts with drilling drums and guitars, that are pulled together so well, its really like the band are one body. The drilling is constant throughout the song and adds to the despiration of the lyrics. To me, this is the best song on the CD in terms of lyrics. Obviously about heartache, this is reflected in every aspect of the song ...
dragontattooist123 23.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage
Having lost vocalist Jesse Leach after their last record and now with a new drummer, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the “new” KsE. Their last record “Alive or Just Breathing” was one of the best metal releases in recent memory, putting most to shame. It was insanely heavy, but somehow managed to be melodic courtesy of Leach who was extremely talented and could go from growling to high-pitched screaming to beautiful singing instantaneously. So ... ...an essential element. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
The album starts with “Bid Farewell,” which begins with drums, and I could feel the tension hanging heavy as I awaited their new vocalist to come in. They replaced Leach with Howard Jones of the metalcore band Blood Has Been Shed. Jones has always had an impressive range, so I was wondering how he’d fit into KsE’s sound. From the start, Jones shows he’s for real: he comes into “Bid ...
blizeH 19.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage
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Quality and consistency...
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Quick review of End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage
A brilliant third album from KSE with heavy crushing riffs combined with searing choruses aplenty. There are many memorable tracks with Rose of Sharyn and End of Heartache standing out as two of the most anthemic.
The musicianship is excellent, with both Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz really showing some virtuoso guitarwork. It is worth mentioning singer Howard Jones as well who suceeds former singer Jesse Leach flawlessly, transforming from harsh screamed vocals to soaring choruses in a split second.
This is probably KSE at their very best and this album really puts them head and shoulders above their metalcore contemporaries. ...
Shikari 31.07.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage
Advantages: a classic. very adictive Disadvantages: none
...also likes this so anyone can like this. The album has many hits on it aswell from the breathtakng title track end of the hearache to dierse introduction a bid farewell thi album has many amzing songs that will make you want to repaet this album over and over again. ...
redbullriley666 01.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage
Advantages: amazing music Disadvantages: sometimes a bit too much 'screaming'
...6. Breathe Life
7. The End Of Heartache
8. Declaration
9. World Ablaze
10. And Members Rise
11. Wasted Sacrifice
12. Hope Is...
Label: Roadrunner
Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitar
Joel Stroetzel - Guitar
Mike D'Antonio - Bass
Howard Jones - Vocals
Justin Foley - Drums
This is a great album if you like the "shouting" kind of music.
I love the song "The End Of Heartache", it has great singng parts in it, and also some shouting parts too. Totally ... ...the end of my broken heart".
My friend send me the song, and I had to get more.
My other favourite songs are "Rose Of Sharyn" and "World Ablaze". I can listen to this album for hours, and never get bored of the music.
The solo in "Breathe life" is amazing and brings a new edge to the "metalcore" scene which so many bands keep appearing from.
The depth of each riff, bassline, and lyrical content is excellent. Each song complements the next in ...
xocist 10.08.2005 (11.08.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage
Product Information for "End Of Heartache, The - Killswitch Engage" »
Product details
Title
End Of Heartache, The
Performer
Killswitch Engage
Genre
Heavy Metal
Release Date
10/05/2004
Recomended Retail Price
12.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2004
Label / Distributor
Roadrunner / ADA/Cinram Logistics
Engineer
Adam Dutkiewicz
Producer
Adam Dutkiewicz
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
16861837327
Catalogue Number
RR 83732
Additional notes
Album Notes
Killswitch Engage: Adam Dutkiewicz (vocals, guitar, percussion); Howard Jones (vocals); Joel Stroetzel (guitar); Mike D'Antonio (bass guitar); Justin Foley (drums). Producers: Adam Dutkiewicz; Adam Dutkiewicz. Recording information: Zing Studios, Westfield, Massuchusetts (12/15/2003 - 01/29/2004). On Killswitch Engage's previous two albums, the group delivered the sort of passionate speed/thrash rarely heard since RIDE THE LIGHTNING-era Metallica and REIGN IN BLOOD-era Slayer. With THE END OF THE HEARTACHE, which features new singer Howard Jones, the band takes its signature sound to a new, absolutely ferocious level, combining slicing, neo-classical guitar riffs with vocals that alternate between gut-wrenching death-metal grunts and melodic crooning. In addition, drummer Justin Foley seems to have channeled both Metallica's Lars Ulrich and Pantera's Vinnie Paul, adding enough pummeling double-kick madness to put a smile on any old-school metal-head's face. Though the album's wide-screen production values keep it from ever sounding too retro, THE END OF HEARTACHE will appeal to anyone pining for the '80s glory days when serious metal was synonymous with long hair and Anthrax t-shirts.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (p.120) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "[A] stunning collection, retaining much of their signature musical brutality but teasing with electric hooks, strategic use of silence and, on 'Rose of Sharyn,' just a bit of emo..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Bid Farewell
2.
Take This Oath
3.
When Darkness Falls
4.
Rose Of Sharyn
5.
Inhale
6.
Breathe Life
7.
End Of Heartache
8.
Declaration
9.
World Ablaze
10.
And Embers Rise
11.
Wasted Sacrifice
12.
Hope Is...
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