Killswitch Engage

The Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage wants for neither talent nor fans. But the band's new album (and second self-titled set) reveals that it could use a helping hand to introduce some diversity to its songwriting. Strangely, the first-time presence of an outside producer (Brendan O'Brien) results in an album that's business as usual instead of the group being encouraged to stray from its established strengths. As an act that forsakes breakdowns and unintelligible screaming in favor of focused aggression and predictable melodic swells, you can't help but enjoy such quintessential Killswitch Engage tracks as "Never Again" or the Metallica-esque chords that open "The Forgotten." But aside from a few unique moments ("The Return," "Take Me Away"), there's not much new to report here.