By Adam Bowman

It's a rare feat for a hard rock or heavy metal band to fuse together haunting melodies with heavy, yet not over-the-top music. Killswitch Engage's latest release, entitled Alive Or Just Breathing, proves what power heavy metal music can create when done with passion.

Although it helps to have emotion and interest into what is being said, just as much heart and soul can be poured into a steady guitar riff or a solid rhythm. Tunes such as "My Last Serenade" and the album's name-sake song bring a heartfelt fury to the table not seen in the metal community for quite some time. Jesse Leach's vocals can go from angered to soaring in a matter of seconds, while Joel Stroetzel and company can run the gammut of mosh-friendly violence to beautifully distorted backgrounds with seeming ease.

The major-label debut from Killswitch Engage is an album that can leave more advance groups and artists in a respectful awe. This band has serious potential, and their future (as well as present) efforts are more than deserving of a run-through.