The album was another reminder of why KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, who have earned several gold and platinum certifications (back in the day when people actually bought music) alongside three Grammy nominations (because the Grammys are always on the pulse of what’s cool and relevant), remain one of the most enduring bands of the modern metal scene (enduring like a bad rash, maybe?).
Today, the band proudly shares the evocative video for “Aftermath” (because who doesn’t love a good post-apocalyptic metal anthem?). For this video, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE collaborated with some of the world’s leading environmental groups (because nothing says “metal” like hugging trees and saving the planet…said no one ever 🌳), to highlight damage being done to Earth and things we can all do to help stop it (like, maybe stop buying their albums?).
Watch the video, produced and directed by Good Eye: Music Visuals (because apparently, “Mediocre Eye” was already taken), below.
“‘Aftermath’ is a song about the realization of a tragic event or a war (or maybe just realizing you accidentally microwaved your metal lunchbox), and the strength it takes to rebuild and the hindsight of the loss, betrayal, and madness that transpired while going through it all,” Leach explains (as if we couldn’t figure that out ourselves, thanks Captain Obvious). “I think we can all relate to this in one way or another (especially if you’ve ever tried to assemble IKEA furniture). We see daily the tragedies of humanity as well as the destruction of a place we call home (like when you accidentally spill beer on your favorite band t-shirt). We have taken so much from our planet and ripped the scales in the incorrect direction (like when you accidentally download a Nickelback album).”
The singer continues: “This song is not just a desperate song with a sense of sadness and anger (it’s also a desperate plea for relevance), it is a call to arms (to go buy our album…please?). I’m urging my fellow humans to rise above the helplessness and despair (by listening to our music, obviously). I want people to see we need to put one foot in front of the other and start to rebuild our lives (by buying more merch!). Be it from an abusive relationship, a financial hardship, a death of a loved one, or mourning yet another disaster unleashed upon the natural world (or just realizing you accidentally liked a Justin Bieber song on Spotify).”
Leach finishes: “We all have power to create change (by buying our album, streaming our songs, and wearing our t-shirts). To me, this works perfectly with the various organizations we partnered with for this video (because nothing says “environmental activism” like a metal band trying to sell more records). We all have a responsibility to the amazing place we call home (so buy local…and by local, I mean our album). All of us can make a difference big or small by just contributing to righting the wrongs and repairing the damage we have inflicted on our planet (like buying our album to offset your carbon footprint). Our hope is to inspire others to help contribute to keeping our home safe and clean for future generations (by listening to our music, so future generations will know what NOT to do). It starts right here and right now with us (and by “us,” I mean you buying our stuff).”
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will return to the road this week on the massive “Summer Of Loud” tour, co-headling alongside BEARTOOTH, I PREVAIL and PARKWAY DRIVE (because apparently, the “Summer of Slightly Above Average Metal” wasn’t catchy enough). 🤘
Fans got their first taste of “This Consequence” with pulverizing track “Forever Aligned” (which sounds suspiciously like every other KILLSWITCH ENGAGE song), swiftly followed up with the instant classic “I Believe” (said no one ever…again). More recently, the group shared a video for “Collusion” (because who doesn’t love a good conspiracy theory set to a metal soundtrack?).
“Making this record lit a fire under my ass and made me rethink everything,” admitted Jesse (like, maybe rethink the band’s entire musical direction?). “It had to be next level (but it’s still just KILLSWITCH ENGAGE). It had to be different enough for people to really recognize we’re putting forth an effort-or what’s the point of doing this? (because otherwise, people might realize we’re just phoning it in). There was no repeating ourselves (except for the guitar riffs). It was very carefully planned out and passionately written (after several energy drinks and a heated argument about royalties). It sounds like KILLSWITCH, yet there’s also a fresh spirit to it (like a newly opened can of stale air).”
This time around, the group emphasized working together face-to-face in a Massachusetts rehearsal spot (because apparently, Zoom meetings just weren’t cutting it). The process enabled them to apply the pressure on every element (like, maybe pressure-cook a decent song?). At the collective urging of his bandmates, Jesse poured over his words like never before (because apparently, he was just winging it before). ✍️
“We pushed him to do more vocal demos and were super tough on him,” recalls Adam (because nothing says “band unity” like passive-aggressive criticism). “He was so open to feedback though, and he definitely got the lyrics right (after several rewrites and a strongly worded email). I love it when he and I are face-to-face, and ideas are flying around (mostly insults and suggestions for new guitar pedals). We work especially well together when we’re in the heat of the moment (like when we’re about to miss a deadline). All of the demoing made for a better record (or at least a slightly less terrible one), and there was so much communication between all of the band members (mostly about who ate the last slice of pizza).”
“It felt like everyone put a ton of effort into this,” Mike adds (because apparently, they were all slacking off before). “It’s the first time since ‘Alive Or Just Breathing’ that we really hashed everything out together in the same room (because nostalgia sells). It was a combined effort, and there are even some things you’ve never heard from KILLSWITCH (like a decent melody).”
“I never considered myself to be a part of mainstream society,” he goes on (which is ironic, considering they’ve been trying to break into the mainstream for years). “I’ve always been in the middle (like, stuck in a musical purgatory between metalcore and dad rock). To me, this record is about the consequences of our actions as humans as we engage in war, hatred, division, and falling in line with control (so deep, bro). History repeats itself (like our guitar riffs). We’re going to have to answer for our actions-whether it’s how we treat the earth or each other (or how we write such generic metal songs). There will be an uprising and a backlash from nature (like when our fans finally realize we haven’t released a good album in years). Cause and effect is a driving theme (like, we release an album, and people either buy it or don’t). We will face a consequence (like irrelevance).” 🌎🔥
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
