AS DAYLIGHT DIES - KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
“As Daylight Dies” is the kind of metal event album that will mostly satisfy fans who anticipated its arrival. Killswitch Engage reliably gallops from climactic chorus to chorus (”Break the Silence,” “Unbroken”), pulsing with rage and sorrow. The songwriting does get repetitive, aside from the throbbing “Desperate Times.” Guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz deserve all the glory for their rippling attack on “Still Beats Your Name.” But vocalist Howard Jones is the first man to make it OK for headbangers to cry since Staind cribbed lyrics from its dysfunctional childhood. Whether he bellows the pain of being dumped or sings “There is love burning to find you” on champion cuts like “My Curse,” Jones’ majestic voice assures that it takes a strong man to be sensitive. Billboard
