This Consequence


This Consequence is the ninth studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage, released through Metal Blade Records on February 21, 2025. Its release followed nearly six years after their previous album, Atonement—the longest gap between studio albums in the band's career.

Background

In March 2024, the band's rhythm guitarist Joel Stroetzel stated, "We just finished all the final bits of tracking over the last couple of weeks. So the guitars are done, all the vocals are now done. Everything's there." On November 5, the band revealed the artwork for the album and shared "11/20/24. New music coming. Mark your calendars" on social media. Vocalist Jesse Leach commented on the album stating that "It had to be next level. 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? There was no repeating ourselves. It was very carefully planned out and passionately written. It sounds like KILLSWITCH, yet there's also a fresh spirit to it."
The first single from the album, "Forever Aligned", was released on November 20. Vocalist Leach commented on the song, stating that it 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". "I Believe", the second single from the album, was released on January 23, 2025. "I Believe" became the band's first ever song to reach the top 10 on the US Mainstream Rock chart peaking at number 4. The band went on a North American tour in May 2025 to support the album, which was their first North American tour since 2022. The tour will featured supporting bands Shadows Fall, Fit for a King, Boundaries, Kublai Khan TX, and Frozen Soul.
In an interview with Kerrang!, the band revealed that this was their first album since Alive or Just Breathing in which they all worked together in the same room. Lead guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz stated, "While there are still songs written by one band member, we all got to play them together, so if something didn't feel right for anyone, they could rewrite bits themselves."
In an interview with Revolver Leach stated
"This Consequence refers to the existential crisis humanity is in due to our conflict, divisions, war, deception, hatred and dire lack of compassion," Leach explains. "It's cause and effect. Every action has a reaction. It's the nature of physics. In short, the title is a loose metaphor for a reckoning or a judgement day for us as a species."

Writing

Following the COVID-19 pandemic lead singer Jesse Leach had some trouble getting back into the swing of things after not being able to work on new music. He wanted to get back his "punk-rock, piss-and-vinegar spirit" to write the record. However, Leach's initial attempts produced lyrics that sounded unoriginal to his bandmates.
"Jesse was reusing a lot of old ideas and topics and themes," Dutkiewicz said. "He was very responsive about it, and he took all the criticism the best he could have. And it's great that we have a singer that's willing to start from scratch and take an idea and throw it away."
Leach's lyrical break came once he started doing something he usually doesn't—writing from outside of his own perspective. "Some of these songs are not about me at all. Some of them started out as me observing a situation or listening to somebody talk about what they went through, and just sort of journaling it."
In another interview with Blabbermouth, Leach stated, "I had to sort of turn my attention to what we've all been through — from COVID, the whole pandemic till now, the divisiveness, people at each other's throats, being divided, sort of political ideologies, religious warfare. Everywhere you look, there's something to be harped upon that is negative and dark, and I think it's important to acknowledge that but not to get lost in it, not to allow it to swallow you to despair."

Reception

This Consequence was generally well received by critics upon release. Max Heilman of MetalSucks gave it a score of 4/5 and wrote, "While it's not about to reinvent the wheel, and might stand in the shadow of yesteryear's Headbangers Ball staples, this is a fantastic encapsulation of what made this wave of metalcore so special."
Writing for Kerrang!, James Hickie stated, "Killswitch Engage are impressively angry and anthemic – but inconsistent – on ninth album This Consequence." He awarded the album a score of 3/5. Angry Metal Guy gave it a score of 3.0/5, writing that "the writing is a little too safe at times, and a rather bland production and crushed mastering do no favors" but that "flaws aside, This Consequence marks a solid, if unremarkable addition to the Killswitch Engage catalog". Blabbermouth writer Dom Lawson gave it a score of 9/10 and stated, "The greatest bands stay great. This Consequence is a triumph." New Noise Magazine wrote "As always, the musicianship is impeccable and shows what 25 years of playing together will produce. Leach doesn't disappoint with the combination of vocal flexibility. His lyrics on this record maintain the usual emotional balance that can either make you want to cry or stand up and fight."
Loudwire named it to their list of the top 51 rock/metal albums of 2025.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal.

Killswitch Engage