This Consequence

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This Consequence is the ninth studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage, released through Metal Blade Records on February 21, 2025.[1] Its release follows nearly 6 years after their previous album Atonement, making it the longest gap between studio album's in the band's career.[2][3]

This Consequence
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
Genre
Length35:02
LabelMetal Blade
ProducerAdam Dutkiewicz
Killswitch Engage chronology
Atonement
(2019)
This Consequence
(2025)
Singles from This Consequence
  1. "Forever Aligned"
    Released: November 20, 2024
  2. "I Believe"
    Released: January 23, 2025
  3. "Collusion"
    Released: February 24, 2025

Background

In March 2024, the band's rhythm guitarist Joel Stroetzel stated that "We just finished all the final bits of tracking over the last couple of weeks. So the guitars are done, all the vocals are now done. Everything's there."[4] On November 5th, the band revealed the artwork for the album and shared "11/20/24. New music coming. Mark your calendars."[4] The first single from the album, "Forever Aligned", was released on November 20th.[5] Vocalist Jesse Leach commented on the song, stating "'Forever Aligned' is one of those songs that is not just about us as humans, our love, and connection, but that connection to the unknown, the greater power, the universe, or God."[6][7] "I Believe", the second single from the album, was released on January 23rd, 2025.[8] The band are planning a North American tour in May 2025 to support the album, which would be their first North American tour since 2022.[9][10][11]. The tour will feature supporting bands Shadows Fall, Fit for a King, and Boundaries.[12][13]

In an interview with Kerrang!, the band revealed that this was their first album since Alive or Just Breathing where they all worked together in the same room, with lead guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz stating "While there are still songs written by one band member, we all got to play them together, so if something didn’t feel right for anyone, they could rewrite bits themselves."[14]

Reception

This Consequence was generally well received by critics upon release. Max Heilman of MetalSucks gave it a score of 4/5 and wrote "While it’s not about to reinvent the wheel, and might stand in the shadow of yesteryear’s Headbangers Ball staples, this is a fantastic encapsulation of what made this wave of metalcore so special."[15] Writing for Kerrang!, James Hickie stated "U.S. metal heroes Killswitch Engage are impressively angry and anthemic – but inconsistent – on ninth album This Consequence,"[16] awarding it a score of 3/5. Angry Metal Guy gave it a score of 3.0/5, writing "The writing is a little too safe at times, and a rather bland production and crushed mastering do no favors," but going on to state "Flaws aside, This Consequence marks a solid, if unremarkable addition to the Killswitch Engage catalog."[17] Blabbermouth writer Dom Lawson gave it a score of 9/10 and stated "The greatest bands stay great. This Consequence is a triumph."[18]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Adam Dutkiewicz, Mike D'Antonio, Joel Stroetzel, Jesse Leach, and Justin Foley.

No.TitleLength
1."Abandon Us"3:38
2."Discordant Nation"2:40
3."Aftermath"3:38
4."Forever Aligned"4:05
5."I Believe"3:54
6."Where It Dies"3:27
7."Collusion"3:22
8."The Fall of Us"4:19
9."Broken Glass"2:30
10."Requiem"3:29
Total length:35:02

Personnel

Killswitch Engage

Charts

Chart performance for This Consequence
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[19] 13
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[20] 159
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[21] 82
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[22] 13
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[23] 45
Scottish Albums (OCC)[24] 9
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 24
UK Albums (OCC)[26] 85
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[27] 2
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[28] 1
US Billboard 200[29] 188
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[30] 25
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[31] 41

References

  1. ^ "Killswitch Engage "This Consequence" | Metal Blade Records". Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  2. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Killswitch Engage announce new album 'This Consequence' (new song & exclusive vinyl)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  3. ^ "Killswitch Engage return with brand-new album, This Consequence". Kerrang!. November 20, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Blabbermouth (November 5, 2024). "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Announces New Album 'This Consequence'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Keenan, Hesher (November 20, 2024). "Killswitch Engage Reveal New Album This Consequence, "Forever Aligned" Now Streaming". MetalSucks. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Staff, Revolver. "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE detail first album in 6 years, debut new video, star on Revolver cover". Revolver. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Blabbermouth (January 23, 2025). "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Shares Music Video For New Single 'I Believe'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  9. ^ Millspublished, Matt (December 5, 2024). "New Killswitch Engage album is "angry, dark and aggressive" because that's "what the world needs right now", says Jesse Leach". louder. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "Killswitch Engage announce new album, unveil lead single "Forever Aligned"". Consequence. November 20, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "Killswitch Engage Return with New Album 'The Consequence' │ Exclaim!". Killswitch Engage Return with New Album 'The Consequence' │ Exclaim!. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "Killswitch Engage Announces 2025 Tour Dates and New Album This Consequence Releasing February 21 | That Eric Alper". www.thatericalper.com. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  13. ^ Blabbermouth (January 7, 2025). "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Announces May 2025 Tour Dates With SHADOWS FALL". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "Killswitch Engage: "We've got more in common than we do differences…". Kerrang!. November 20, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Heilman, Max (February 18, 2025). "Review: Killswitch Engage Encapsulates the Golden Age of Metalcore on This Consequence". MetalSucks. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  16. ^ "Album review: Killswitch Engage – This Consequence". Kerrang!. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Saunders (February 24, 2025). "Killswitch Engage - This Consequence Review". Angry Metal Guy. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  18. ^ Blabbermouth (February 18, 2025). "This Consequence". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  19. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Killswitch Engage – This Consequence" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  20. ^ "Ultratop.be – Killswitch Engage – This Consequence" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  21. ^ "Ultratop.be – Killswitch Engage – This Consequence" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Killswitch Engage – This Consequence" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  23. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2025-03-03/p/5" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  25. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Killswitch Engage – This Consequence". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  26. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  27. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  28. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  29. ^ "Killswitch Engage Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  30. ^ "Killswitch Engage Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  31. ^ "Killswitch Engage Chart History: Top Rock & Alternative Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2025.