Killswitch Engage have announced their ninth studio album, This Consequence, out February 21st via Metal Blade Records. The veteran metal band has also unveiled the lead single and video “Forever Aligned.”
KsE come out of the gate with a brutal thrash groove on the new song, eventually hitting a melodic flourish just over 90 second in. That preludes a melodic chorus that sees frontman Jesse Leach drop the harsh vocals for a full-throated croon, as the band traverses the many facets of its sound across the track’s four-minute span.
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“‘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,” said Leach via a press release. “It feels like a really good first song to release not just sonically, but lyrically, as it is all about connection. The device of world we live in could use a lot more connectivity.”
This Consequence marks the first new album from Killswitch Engage in five years and features a lineup of Leach, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, guitarist Joel Stroetzel, bassist Mike D’Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. In the press release, Leach called the 10-song collection a “combination of everything the past five years has thrown at us as a band, as humans, and society as a whole.”
“This album is just as much about everybody and their stories as it is for me about my journey personally,” continued Leach. “Sonically, I love the combination of everybody’s ideas and contributions on this album. It feels more like a collaboration than the past few records have been. When all is said and done, I wouldn’t change anything about this album.”
The frontman added, “I think it’s the exact record we needed to make. I’m honored and proud of what we all were able to create and refine through this music and message.”
Killswitch Engage are supporting the album with a Spring North American tour — the band’s first full outing across the continent since 2022. Dates kick off on March 5th in Nashville and run through mid-April. You can get tickets here.
Pre-order This Consequence via the band’s online store. Below you can stream the video for “Forever Aligned” and see the album art and tracklist.
This Consequence Artwork:
This Consequence Tracklist:
01. Abandon Us
02. Discordant Nation
03. Aftermath
04. Forever Aligned
05. I Believe
06. Where It Dies
07. Collusion
08. The Fall of Us
09. Broken Glass
10. Requiem