As Daylight Dies (Special Edition)

Well as for this kse album i gotta say i don't know?i mean this is more like a alternative metal cd it has way more clean vocals and i can't even call it brutal it's not as fast loud i mean it's not really bad,well i don't know but what you can expect from this album is well all i can say is it's for sure not even close to their first two albums with jesse those two were brutal and heavy as hell great metalcore with death metal influences and since end of the heartache with howard(ugh)it's not the same but end of the heartache is a great album and it is heavy,not like their first two but worth checking out.Check this out only if you want to cause it's not really worth checking still has some metalcore but i can't even stand howard's vocals in this one he barely even screams(not that he really can)but some songs are great I JUST NEED TO HEAR SOMETHING HEAVIER THAN THIS!GET THEIR FIRST ALBUM IF YOU LIKE IT HEAVY ALONG WITH ALIVE OR JUST BREATHING!

Howard Jones once said in an interview, in reference to "As Daylight Dies," that the band hadn't really made an attempt to reinvent themselves or dramatically change things up - they just wanted to spice things up a little bit. To illustrate, we compared the band's previous work to toast, and then more or less stated that "As Daylight Dies" was the band simply putting cinnamon and sugar on toast - not an attempt to reinvent toast.

This is perhaps the most accurate description of an album made by one of its creators that I have ever heard. If anyone is expecting great leaps and bounds from what the band established with "The End of Heartache," you will be sorely disappointed. Much of the material on here would feel right at home on "The End of Heartache," and consequently the listener is often left with a feeling of, "Haven't I heard this before?"

But let's not forget the cinnamon and sugar; after all, there are some differences between this album and TEOHA. Songs like "Daylight Dies," and "Desperate Times" show perhaps the best departures from the band's what has become typical metalcore formula (heavy verse, light chorus, repeat), mixing things up just enough to keep them interesting. "For You" also exhibits some improvement especially in the guitarwork (especially the intro riff) which is some of the best and even most unique that KsE have put out. "This Is Absolution," while undeniably Killswitch, stands as one of the best tracks on the album with its driving verse and extremely hooky chorus (even by KsE standards). Its placement right after the slower, more pounding "Daylight Dies" also makes for one of the best song-to-song transitions on any KsE album.

The next track, "The Arms of Sorrow," is unmistakably this album's "The End of Heartache" (song). It is even, in my opinion, a better song than "The End of Heartache," or perhaps simply just different enough to remain interesting. It is not quite as heavy as "The End of Heartache," but the melodies in it are much more memorable and seem better executed. Also, the first single, "My Curse," is a track that while still being standard Killswitch in its structure, nonetheless remains memorable and stands strong against the rest of the album.

Now considering the praise I've heaped upon these tracks so far, you're probably wondering this album doesn't get more than three stars from me. It's because the remaining tracks just really are not that memorable to me at all. "Unbroken," while perhaps being the fastest song on the record, simply does not grab me and comes across as little more than your run of the mill metalcore. "Still Beats Your Name," "Eye of the Storm," and "Break the Silence," while all decent tracks in their own right, simply don't offer much that hasn't already been done. They're all enjoyable, unquestionably, but they're also not anything you couldn't have gotten on TEOHA.

I really bounce back and forth on this album. At times, I'd say it's worthy of three stars, and at other times I'd give it four. When it comes down to it, what you think about this album may come down to whether or not you're the kind of person who prefers bands to change up their sound between albums or if you're fine with a band simply perfecting a good formula. None of the songs on this album are bad, and if you're considering buying this album off the success of "The Arms of Sorrow" or "My Curse," or even the special edition for "Holy Diver," I'd say go for it. The more hardcore Killswitch Engage fans should probably pick it up as well (if you haven't already), because while it's not groundbreaking by any means, it is still a fairly solid album and definitely enjoyable. Casual listeners, though, who've already picked up TEOHA should probably check out some of the tracks before actually buying it, though, because to the casual ear, you may not hear much difference between this and TEOHA.

But no matter what, everyone should check out "Alive or Just Breathing."

This is an amazing album. I've recently discovered the rebirth of metal - thrash, grindcore, metalcore, whatever - and this album (so far) lies at the top of the heap of several great albums I've purchased lately (Hatebreed, Machine Head, Throwdown, and Devildriver).

What's so unique about this album is its subtle complexity. The tunes are heavy and deep, without being over technical or progressive. Hooky and catchy with a lot of great rhythm and power, the songs continue to grow on you with each listening.

This band knows what the heck it's doing - the song construction and musicianship are top-notch, and I'd easily put it up against Master of Puppets, Peace Sells, And Justice For All, South of Heaven, etc. Yes, it's that good!

"As Daylight Dies" is the perfect opener for this album, and after two good tracks, the album really hits its apex with "Unbroken", followed by "My Curse", "Still Beats Your Name", and "Break the Silence". These songs seem to flow into each other, raising the intensity without sounding like they're just repeating the same ideas over and over.

If you grew up listening to the old school thrash/heavy metal, you have to listen to this CD!

Album starts off with a good buildup, with the song "As Daylight Dies", Then just FLIES with "This is absolution", which is my favorite tune on the album.

These guys are great musicians, and you won't be disappointed by any track on this album. Definitely a must have for any KSE fan, or any metal fan.

When I first heard this album back in early 2006 I only liked a couple of songs - "As daylight dies", and "My curse". I thought the rest of the songs were substandard since the tone of the album incorporated more melody and singing then their prior 2 albums. However, when listening to it again and again, I began to appreciate other songs such as "this is Absolution" "unbroken". THe only real downer on this album is "arms of Sorrow" and other otherwise everything else is outstanding, the guitars, drums, vocals still have a powerfull aura despite the melodic slowness in certain parts.
The true Gem on this album is "eye of the storm". I was in awe when I heard it. What a metalcore atomic bomb of a hit. Its everything metal core stands for to its finest points, it includes thunderous riffs, melodic interludes, Aggressive screams, a heartfelt bridge, and a catchy chorus sung with incredible melody. The lyrics are incredible everything comes together. Howard set his mark on this album and KSE finally are a metal super group as a result.