Hymn of a Broken Man

There is something particularly special about this album. It doesn't have a storied mythos behind its creation that I'm aware of. Adam D had some other ideas that wouldn't have necessarily fit with the direction Killswitch was on at the time. I'll call this a good thing.As much as I love KsE, and they definitely have their sound, this album - I feel - brings back the best of what made Killswitch great (or perhaps what Killswitch has always had the talent to MAKE great). And I'm not saying it was specifically Adam Dutkiewicz' direction and production that's obvious when it comes to his band (though I'm sure he has a big part of). But it seems to me that whenever a big change happens in HIS career or life (weight loss, switching from drums to guitar permanently, switching vocalists), the music he is involved in experiences a surge in creativity, and...soul.So when Adam D had back problems, went to the hospital, and began writing this album, I truly feel his creativity was sparked to all-new levels. This album is not Killswitch Engage. To me, this album supercedes everything that his main band has ever done - which is saying a LOT, considering KsE's impact on metal, and music as a whole.For me, this is the single greatest metal album of all time - and that comes from being a lifelong metal fan. There are many different kinds of metal- this album touches on them all in some way, and becomes something greater than the sum of all of those parts. What happened with "The Hymn Of A Broken Man" is pure magic. I would hate to say that it will never be outmatched by the main band, or another band, but what has been produced here is and achievement beyond greatness. This is special. And, how it seems now, this band in name may never be reincarnated, at the very least this release allows a perfect track record for a band in my book. Amazing, positively inspiring, and just wonderful.

Times of grace are many things. And POWERFUL is one of them. Jessie David Leach and Adam Dutkiewicz join forces once again to make this new album that was never meant to be anything more than that. But it is more than that. It is a masterpiece. This album has so much passion and emotion that it can barely contain it. Jessie Leach believes every word he speaks on this album, and to see him perform it live, it is written all over his face. It is more than just an album, it is a call to arms. Encouraging us to stand up to society and become more than what the world is teaching us to be, and to live in love and unity with ourselves and each other. If you like Killswitch Engage, then you will like this. If Alive or Just Breathing is one of your favorite albums, then this will be too. Hardcore fans will buy the special edition. If anything, it's worth it for the acoustic version of willing. But I have to say, the bonus dvd was disappointing. It is supposed to be a "Visual Interpretation" of the album, but it isn't. It's boring and not worth the time. But Hymn of a Broken Man is a force that cannot and will not be stopped.

I bought this album in hard copy form seeing it could be worth the price based on recent reviews. It was a great choice. I listened to the album all the way through and thought right away it was a great piece of work. The next couple times I got more into it and now realize it's more than just another metal album. Adam D and Jesse brought together what Killswitch Engage has and amplified it with more unique riffs and interesting but balanced vocals. You will hear more "soft" songs on this album, yes, but at least they are good soft songs. I would say this album is based on extremely amazing guitar riffs as well as emotional, melodic vocals/yelling. But, the rare screaming is definitely amazing; it just isn't as integrated as it is in Killswitch Engage albums. The heavier songs are pure gold and cannot be missed by any metal fan, and the more mellow songs cannot be missed by any rock/music fan in general. 10/10.Note: There is one acoustic bonus track, but honestly unless you love video, the music videos are not worth the extra price tag for the DVD special edition. There is no footage of either band member for the single "Strength In Numbers" and for the rest of the music it's just footage of random things.

As a fan of KSE, I was let down a bit when Jesse left... I liked Howard, but I preferred him in Blood Has Been Shed at the time. As time went on, I grew to like Howard with KSE, but it still wasn't the same... it was good, and heavy, but seemed to lack some of the soul. I picked up the Seemless album a few years ago, and it was good, but not heavy enough (hardly any screaming). I just found this Times of Grace album by chance while surfing mp3's on Amazon and I was seriously smiling like an idiot listening to it! Jesse still has the voice! It's not KSE, but that's in a good way. There are parts that definitely feel like they could have been on a KSE album back in the day, yet other parts that are so different and show 10 more years worth of experience. "Live In Love" and "Hope Remains" really stuck out to me and are my favorites (so far). This album is getting better with every listen and is a must buy for any KSE or Metal fan!

WOW! haha my God, this album is so amazing. Jesse, the vocalist, is extremely poetic and bold in his lyrics of triumph and victory over hard times and life struggles. Jesus is the reason he is living, and Jesus' Spirit is ALIVE inside Jesse; a true, anti-religious Christian :)Musically, it is as good as it gets. from hard heavy-hitters to simple-life, classy acoustic ballads. very well done and extremely HOPEFUL and Destiny-driven rock music. :DJesus lives inside all of us, and through Jesus, Jesse has been able to communicate true hope. love, and Destiny :)i am at my lowest point in life; a new christian or Christ-Follower, few friends and seemingly Zero Hope.. but this album, from God is giving me hope for the future and to push in with STRENGTH. there is ALWAYS a light at the end of that tunnel! DEATH IS VICTORY :) Jesus Lives and Loves.. Love you all :) buy this CD and keep this band on the road and bringing the great message of hope through Jesus to ALL :)

I was searching for this record for almost 3 years because it's hard to find, thank you for selling it, I love it!

Consegna rapida e CD in ottimo stato se pur indicato come buono.Ovviamente il prezzo per essere un prodotto di seconda mano è molto alto. Comprensibile visto la rarità del prodotto e la quasi impossibile reperibilità in suolo italiano.Perla per pochi affezionati del genere e della band madre. Album sottovalutato che a mio avviso avrebbe meritato più attenzione.Soddisfatto.

The Lonely One is a piece of art. It makes you pick up a guitar.

Vorneweg: Das ist jetzt schon die beste Platte 2011, definitiv. Jesse Leach hatte mir ehrlich gesagt zu KSE-Zeiten nicht so richtig gefallen, hier packt er aber im Zusammenspiel mit Adam D die gesangstechnische Keule aus und bietet ein enormes vokales Spektrum zwischen fast schon bluesig-countryesken Klängen ("The Forgotten One"), "klassichem" Rockgesang und den üblichen Metalcore Screams. Auch der Gesang von Adam D harmoniert bestens mit dem von Leach - Paradebeispiel: "The Forgotten One". Dass Dutkiewicz auch passabel singen kann, weiß man ja schon von KSE. Musikalisch liegen Times of Grace (natürlich...) verdammt nah an KSE - nur ein wenig mehr progressive, verspielter. Die Songs gehen sofort ins Ohr und bleiben hängen - die in der Strophe aufgebaute Härte und Spannung wird perfekt in oft hymnenhaft/ epischen Refrains entladen - Weltklasse! Teilweise fast schon poppig eingängig mit tighten Harmony Vocals oder einfach nur brettig (mein Favorit: "Live by Love" - das sägende Riff ist grandios!) hat die Platte keinen einzigen Aussetzer - jedes Lied ist großartig. Die Produktion ist ganz Adam D-like wieder einmal unglaublich fett - es gibt im Metalgenre einfach keinen fetteren Metalsound als die vom KSE-Mastermind produzierten Scheiben. Die Gitarren sind perfekt abgemischt und drücken gewaltig aus den Boxen. Man kann nur hoffen, dass die beiden mit ihren Gastmusikern (der Multiinstrumentalist Adam D hat die Platte quasi im Alleingang eingespielt) auch mal live Europa beehren. Alleine schon der auf der Bühne immer nah am Wahnsinn agierende Adam D wäre das Geld wert. Fazit: Unbedingt kaufen - die Scheibe gehört zum Besten, was ich im Metal-Genre jemals gehört habe!

First off, I'd like to rant on how this was delivered to me TWO DAYS LATE despite the fact I pre-ordered this time a month and a half before release...seriously I thought Amazon were fast but still =/Anyway, rant over, down the the meat of things; Times of Grace is the duo of Adam D and Jesse Leach. Now where have you heard those names before? Killswitch Engage, mainly with Jesse Leach being the original vocalist before passing the position on to Howard Jones in 2004, and currently vocalist for The Empire Shall Fall; and Adam D being Killswitch's current guitarist.Now you're thinking...Killswitch without Adam D!? It's the apocalypse!Don't worry Killswitch fans, Adam D hasn't left! Beginning this project a few years back, it was something that he wanted to do, along with Jesse, who he contacted and asked to do the vocals. Remember Alive or Just Breathing? The album that launched Killswitch into the big game? Well if you loved that album, then this is the companion album that most diehard fans have been wanting. Don't get me wrong, End of Heartache and Daylight Dies have been two fantastic albums!!!But are you getting another AOJB? The answer is no; what you're getting here is a mix of Rock, Metal, Punk, Indie and even 'shoegaze'. With soaring guitars, powerful melodies and a nice welcome back to Jesse whose screams dominate the album in places, The Hymm of a Broken Man really shows us how far the boundaries of Metal as a genre can be pushed, and hopefully gives new and inspiring artists a taste of what the future of metal should look like. From the opening "Strength in Numbers" to the darkness of "End of Days", the power ballad that is "Worlds Apart" and the country-esque influenced "The Forgotten One", it's an album thats not afraid to show itself. The bonus DVD is an enjoyment to watch over and over, the beautiful photography is well done and presented.Without a doubt, if you love Killswitch Engage or any other metal, this is an essential purchase. If you don't like the genre at all however, this album might even change your mind.