Killswitch Engage | ||||
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Studio album by Killswitch Engage | ||||
Released | June 30, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2008 - 2009 | |||
Genre | Metalcore | |||
Length | 38:09 | |||
Label | Roadrunner | |||
Producer | Brendan O'Brien, Adam Dutkiewicz | |||
Killswitch Engage chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Special Edition cover
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Singles from Killswitch Engage | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | |
Alternative Press | |
Billboard | 5/10 |
Blabbermouth.net | 5/10 |
Decibel | |
NME | |
PopMatters | 5/10 |
Killswitch Engage is the fifth studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. It was released on June 30, 2009 through Roadrunner Records. It is the band's second album to be self-titled, the first being their debut album. It was produced by Adam Dutkiewicz and Brendan O'Brien. The album's reception from critics and fans has been generally mixed, with praise directed towards Howard Jones' vocals and criticism directed towards Dutkiewicz's and O'Brien's production and the album's reliance on formula.
The album debuted and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200, selling 58,000 copies in its first week, making it one of the band's highest charting albums to date.
It was supported by three singles, "Reckoning", "Starting Over", and "Save Me", as well as two music videos. This is the band's final studio album to feature Howard Jones on lead vocals.
The album was officially announced in late 2008. Recording began in October 2008 with Dutkiewicz and co-producer Brendan O'Brien.
In February 2009, bassist Mike D'Antonio confirmed in an interview with Metal Hammer that "drums were finished", and that he had "finished up the last few bass fixes". He also stated that Howard [Jones] is in Atlanta finishing vocals, and that "it shouldn’t be too much longer now." The album's name was announced on April 14, and was revealed to be their second self-titled album since their debut album of the same name.
Before the album's release, "A Light In a Darkened World" was added to the band's setlist in the first half of 2009. The band also performed it at the 2009 Golden Gods Awards. On May 28, 2009, the band's official fanclub, Take This Oath, were granted access to listen to the track "Reckoning". It was released as a promotional single the following day, and was available as a free download on Roadrunner Records' official website.