As Daylight Dies: Special Edition [Digipak] [Limited] by Killswitch Engage (CD, Aug-2007, Roadrunner Records USA)

Country: USA
Music: Metalcore
Label: Roadrunner
Cool Songs: Daylight Dies, Holy Diver, This is Absolution

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE originally released “As Daylight Dies” in 2006, but Roadrunner recently re-issued it as a special edition. The special edition comes in a two-disc, digipack set. The first disc contains all the original tracks plus four bonus tracks: “Be one,” “Let the Bridges Burn,” “This Fire,” and a cover of DIO’s “Holy Diver.” They took “This Fire” from the WWE soundtrack “Wreckless Intent.” This track is the ring entrance music of current ECW heavyweight champion, CM Punk.

The second disc contains DVDs for “My Cure,” “The Arms of Sorrow,” and “Holy Diver.” Their video rendition for “Holy Diver” has been a major topic of discussion amongst watchers of the Headbanger’s Ball. KILLSWITCH performs the song true to their style, but it works well because Howard Jones has such a smooth singing voice. The video is true to the fantastic nature of the original, but with a comedic slant. Each member dresses as a medieval character. Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz plays a type of Sleeping Beauty character who awakens to greet her rescuer with enormous height and unfeminine body hair. The king has no part other than eating an enormous turkey leg. Also, each video has a "making of" feature.

For those who didn’t purchase this album the first time around, “Daylight Dies” doesn’t veer away from the style they established on their first record with Howard Jones, “The End of Heartache.” The direction of this album consists of heavy, chugging thrash rhythms, Swedish-style guitar harmonies and many harmonic, vocal breaks. “This is Absolution” moves at a chugging, locomotive rhythm before sliding down the guitar scale in HAMMERFALL-like fashion. The chorus consists of a mellow guitar riff that drops even further to an acoustic sound and Howard Jones layering his mellifluous voice over harsh vocals. “The Arms of Sorrow” begins with an acoustic harmony then transitions to fluid, breakdown verse complete with false harmonics and a finger-tapping guitar harmony. This track is one of the more passionate songs, mostly sung in Jones’ clean voice.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE again proves they deserve their place amongst today’s mainstream acts. Sure, they perform music that has gotten overblown and cliché, but they have always done it with such skill, keeping the heavy parts, heavy and memorable, and creating lush, sing-along melodies. Even though they display characteristics of other bands of this fold, KILLSWITCH will never be mistaken for another band. “As Daylight Dies” Special Edition has enough bonus material and is of such a slick quality that fans are sure to get their money worth.

- Darren Cowan


Tracklist:
1. As Daylight Dies
2. This is Absolution
3. The Arms of Sorrow
4. Unbroken
5. My Curse
6. For You
7. Still Beats Your Name
8. Eye of the Storm
9. Break the Silence
10. Desperate Times
11. Reject Yourself
Total playing time 44:11

12. Be One (3:31)
13. Let the Bridges Burn (4:29)
14. This Fire (3:10)
15. Holy Diver (4:10)
Bonus DVD:
1. My Curse (Music video and Making of)
2. The Arms of Sorrow (Music video and Making of)
3. Holy Diver (Music video)

Band line-up:
Howard Jones - Vocals
Joel Stroetzel - Guitars
Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitars
Mike D'Antonio - Bass
Justin Foley - Drums

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this cd totally kicks you no what. I love kse they are one of my best bands to go see,and they totally rock.