Live music is finally back in full swing as it seems like the COVID-19 pandemic is finally nearing its end. Festivals are planned and happening, as are live shows in general. A year ago this time though, things were still a little bit in the air. Because of that, a lot of acts out there were still tentative about playing live, leading them to still hold some livestream performances instead of live stage shows. Killswitch Engage was one of those many acts that took to the virtual stage instead of a full live setting. The band performed a full two-album set Aug. 6 at the Palladium Theater in the band’s hometown of Worcester, MA. This Friday, the band will release that performance on separate 2 CD/BD, 2 LP, and digital platforms in the form of Live at the Palladium. While it is not necessarily a full, true live recording in the purest sense of the term, the recording is still a presentation that will appeal to any of the band’s most devoted fans and those of the metalcore genre. That is due in no small part to the show’s set list. This item will be addressed shortly. The band’s performance of the extensive set list is just as notable as the set list itself and will be examined a little later. The show’s production round out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the recording. All things considered they make Live at the Palladium a successful new live offering from Killswitch Engage.
Live at the Palladium, Killswitch Engage’s forthcoming “live” recording, is a mostly successful offering from the band. That is the case even though it is not necessarily a full live show in the purest sense of the term. The recording’s success comes in large part through its featured set list. The set list, composed of 20 songs, covers two of the band’s albums – the band’s self-titled 2000 debut album, and its 2019 album, Atonement. Bands performing full performances of one album is increasingly commonplace. To that end, it makes the set list seem less impacting. The thing is, again though, the band takes on not just one of its albums, but two of its works. Those works offer audiences a look at the band’s early days and its more recent era. Given, Atonement was followed up in 2020 with the EP, Atonement II, but Atonement is in fact the band’s most recent album. To that end, the band presents here, a look at its past and present in these two albums. Keeping that in mind, the set list gives audiences not just two full albums but two albums that display the band’s past and present together in one setting. That in itself forms a strong foundation for the record. It is just part of what makes the record worth experiencing. The band’s performance of the extensive set list adds its own share of engagement and entertainment to the mix.
The band’s performance of its set list is powerful to say the least. Even being in a semi-live environment, is engaging and entertaining in its own right. The band gives its all, using the situation just as if it was a full live performance, even though the audiences were digital instead of in person. Front man Jesse Leach is just as imposing as he makes his way back and forth across the stage, half screaming, half singing. His vocals are as powerful as ever. Meanwhile his band mates each perform their respective parts just as impressively. Justin Foley is so intense as he provides the rhythm to each song along with bassist Mike D’Antonio. Meanwhile the duel guitar approach of Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel adds its own share of power throughout. Even being only a semi-live setting, the collective treats each song as if it was in front of a live audience, making the experience all the more engaging and entertaining. When the group’s performance is considered collectively from one song to the next, it makes the record all the more memorable. Together with the set list, the two elements make the overall presentation all the more engaging and entertaining, too. They are just part of what makes the recording worth experiencing. The concert’s production rounds out its most important elements.
The production that went into the concert is important because again, even being semi-live, the sound and video are fully immersive. The crowd noise is not there to work through, but the band’s own performance is still there. The acoustics of the venue still have to be taken into account in their own right since there is no crowd there to absorb the sound. The work that went into balancing all of the sound paid off, as every performance sounds so rich. No one part overpowers the others at any point throughout the concert. The end result is that the recording proves fully immersive, and in turn engaging and entertaining. When this aspect of Live at the Palladium is considered along with the show’s set list and the band’s performance thereof, the whole makes the performance one more of the year’s top new live recordings.
Killswitch Engage’s new live recording, Live at the Palladium, is a strong new offering from the veteran metalcore band. It will impress the band’s established audience base as well as casual metalcore fans alike. That is due in part to its featured set list. The set list is composed of not one but two full albums, the band’s 2000 self-titled debut record and the band’s latest album, Atonement. The presentation is that of the band’s past and present in one. The band’s performance of the set list makes for its own appeal. That is because the band in whole takes the entire concert as seriously as if it was a full live performance. The recording’s production rounds out its most important elements, ensuring that the best is brough out of each song’s performance. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the record’s presentation. All things considered they make the recording one of the year’s top new live recordings overall.
Live at the Palladium is scheduled for release Friday through Metal Blade Records. More information on the recording is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
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