In 2002 KILLSWITCH ENGAGE drew a deep line between the ages of nu-metal and metalcore, and we've been enjoying living on the better side of it for over a decade now.

With the years, their once revolutionary mix of metallic hardcore, melodeath and clean vocals inevitably lost the freshness that had blown us away the first time we heard 'Alive or Just Breathing.'

And now, following a period of lineup changes and creative exhaustion KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have their backs against the wall – their new album could either bring them back on top of the game, or confirm the band's descend into the abyss of oblivion.

'Disarm the Descent' is an extremely decisive and passionate answer to that challenge. Together with returning original frontman Jesse Leach, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have not only rediscovered the creative charge that had once made them one of the mightiest metal outfits on the planet.

The band has accomplished something bigger – it has come full circle in its musical endeavors, releasing its most complete work to date. Because yes, here Leach does scream most of what his replacement between 2002 and 2012, Howard Jones, would've sung – thus bringing back some of the raw fury of the band's first two albums.

But on the other hand songs like pilot single 'In Due Time' and 'New Awakening,' a track that culminates with an infectious melodeath riff, are just the brand of refined metalcore with gigantic clean choruses that the band had been perfecting after that. This is also the album where Leach makes the vocal performance of his career, coping seamlessly with melodies he couldn't have hoped to sing back in 2002 – just hear the brilliant ballad 'Always,' one of the standout tracks here.

'Disarm the Descent' however, is more than some perfect middle ground between 'Alive or Just Breathing' and 'The End of Hearthache' – two of this century's most important metal albums.

Pay attention to the inhuman tempo with which the band blasts through the melodic riffage of closer 'Time Will Not Remain' and you'll realize that this is KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's fastest album over all. This is the sound of a band that spares no effort in its attempt to win you back over. And it succeeds because its music is extremely honest.

And it is exactly that trait that has always been the most important thing about KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.