In the day and age where new metal and radio rock reign supreme with an iron fist its nice to see that a band like Killswitch Engage can rise through the ranks and land themselves in a position where they can actually be heard. Sure to the bands longtime fans making the move from underground label Ferret Music to the Roadrunner Records stable is a controversial decision, but upon listening to this album it would seem that little worry should be placed upon the band selling out. Simply put, this is one of the most devastating albums Roadrunner has released in years. A crushing blend of metal that hearkens back to the once burgeoning mid-90's American scene, Killswitch Engage mix traces of hardcore with fierce metallic fury comparable to the likes of Shadows Fall, Lamb Of God, God Forbid and more. But where Killswitch differ from the aforementioned luminaries of today's American metal scene is their strong sense of melody.

Able to unleash a throat incinerating scream just as easily as he can belt out an entrancing emotional croon, band frontman Jesse David Leach could probably be best summed up as the modern day Phil Anselmo, he is just that talented. Such a gifted dynamic approach allows the band to develop a musical arsenal that is heavy on both the aggressive and melodic fronts, a quality that is sorely lacking in most of today's metal. The guitar riffs are beefed up with pugnacious distortion and chugging progressions that allow them to throw their weight around like a rampaging gorilla, but despite their song oriented approach there is little to no new metal heroics on hand here. Instead the group serve up traditionally structured pieces that keep the sonic punches coming fast and furiously, only occasionally embellishing them with a shredding squeal or solo styled interlude. Such a continual pummeling is strongly heeded by band bassist Mike D'Antonio whose growling notes add a flawless snarl to the guitar work while also broadening the bands formidable rhythmic base. Not to be outdone by his band mates though, then drummer Adam Dutkiewicz (who has since moved on to handle the guitar duties in the band) unloads a percussive pounding that nearly leaves the listener black and blue. Flush with double kick beatdowns and biting snare hits, his drumming style is brutish and powerful yet utilizes enough variation to keep it from sounding repetitious.

There's no doubt that new metal is beginning to run its course, the fact that an album like "Alive Or Just Breathing?" is being released through a label as large as Roadrunner proves it and in a perfect world would ultimately serve as the first nail in its coffin. Indeed its nice to see authentic metal once again coming back to the forefront and if more groups as talented as Killswitch Engage are able to make the leap to larger labels in the coming years its likely that we will see a real metal revival of sorts in the not too distant future. Sure this offering isn't without its faults and can tend to borrow from a similar song writing formula a tad more often than preferred; But with the band having such a firm handle on both extremes of the emotional spectrum its easy to overlook as they are perhaps the most equipped contender yet to come and try to break down the wall that has been keeping this kind of metal out of the public eye in recent years. Alas, therein lies the question. Will this album manage to win over the kids who've been fed little more than whatever commercially contrived new metal the mainstream has handed them in the past few years or will it instead go right over their heads in favor of more of the same? Only time will tell, but here's to hoping the right choice is made.