Devil You Know - The Beauty of Destruction

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Storming debut from Howard Jones' new project! 

It was great news when it was announced that Howard Jones was returning with a new project. Although things had gone as far as they could with Killswitch Engage he is far too good a singer to retire from music altogether which it seemed was the case for a time. I was hoping this project would see Howard returning to what he was doing with Blood has been Shed (which I actually preferred him in) considering the history John Sankey and Francesco Artusato have between them (Divine heresy, All shall Perish).

 I didn't think that was an unreasonable assumption but 'The Beauty of Destruction' is quite melodic as a whole and in all fairness isn't a million miles away from Killswitch Engage although not quite as dramatic! It's also quite a varied album from some quite extreme moments to mellower ones there's both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. As a whole lets get it out of the way this is a Metalcore album. It's a solid one and works very well. It's a good collection of songs that's confident and doesn't rely on being heavy for the sake of it, tracks like 'My Own' and the Bury your Dead reminiscent 'For the dead and Broken' there are slow and moody parts and both have awesome an awesome chorus. 

It's also got to be highlighted that Howard is on fine form and your reminded why he has the status he has. There is also as well as bone crushing riffs! some fantastic lead work from Francesco Artusato. The single 'Seven years Alone' sums things up nicely although it's a good introduction to the band throughout the album they show they are capable of much more take for instance the closing track 'As bright as the Darkness' with it's slow build to an unsettling chorus and leaves the album finished with a dark moody feel.

 It's not a classic but doesn't need to be it's a great album anyway's. Although the members have a big history between them it still is a new project and 'The Beauty of Destruction' is what a debut should be, a new band trying different things out, seeing what works in order to evolve and this points in all the right directions it's an intriguing album that leaves you curious and looking forward to what's next. This is worth a purchase and a must for fans of the Howard Jones era Killswitch Engage material and fans of Divine Heresy.

Review by Joe Denby

​Check Out! the Video for 'Seven years Alone' Below...