Released 20 years ago
As Daylight Dies
Killswitch Engage · 2006
48 min · 12 tracks · melodic metalcore
Melodic metalcore anthems intertwine emotional intensity with crushing riffs, creating a powerful sonic experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Daylight Dies Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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My Curse — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of melodic choruses and heavy breakdowns, making it an anthem for both fans and newcomers alike.
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The Arms of Sorrow — With its poignant lyrics addressing loss and pain, this song showcases Killswitch Engage's ability to merge personal themes with powerful music.
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This Is Absolution — The driving rhythms and impassioned vocals in this track encapsulate the album's overall urgency and emotional depth, marking it as a standout.
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Let the Bridges Burn — Closing the album with a sense of resolve, this track combines lyrical defiance with anthemic melodies, leaving a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines melodic hooks with heavy riffs, showcasing strong songwriting and production typical of its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track that sets a heavy tone, followed by several songs that alternate between melodic choruses and aggressive verses.
- Many tracks feature layered guitar harmonies and breakdowns, creating dynamic shifts in intensity throughout the record.
- The final three tracks slow down the pace significantly, allowing for a more introspective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- immersive listening sessions
- contemplative late-night moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Killswitch Engage's reputation with mainstream success and recognition.
- Themes
- personal loss· emotional resilience· melodic defiance
- Career context
- Released in 2006, As Daylight Dies is Killswitch Engage's fourth studio album and their first since the return of original vocalist Jesse Leach. Positioned after the commercial success of their previous album, The End of Heartache, this record cemented their status in the metalcore scene, showcasing a blend of melodic hooks and aggressive instrumentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- As I Lay Dying· Parkway Drive· August Burns Red
Tracklist
- 1 Daylight Dies Start here 4:05
- 2 This Is Absolution 3:34
- 3 The Arms of Sorrow 3:44
- 4 Unbroken 3:08
- 5 My Curse 4:04
- 6 For You 4:03
- 7 Still Beats Your Name 3:19
- 8 Eye of the Storm 3:56
- 9 Break the Silence 4:32
- 10 Desperate Times 4:25
- 11 Reject Yourself 4:46
- 12 Let the Bridges Burn 4:27
What to play next
Disarm the Descent
2013
Continues the melodic intensity with a fresh lineup and evolved sound.
The End of Heartache
2004
Sets the emotional and sonic foundation leading into As Daylight Dies.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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