Nine years after leaving Killswitch Engage, Jesse Leach once again finds himself collaborating with former band mate, and current KSE guitarist, Adam Dutkiewicz to create "The Hymn of a Broken Man", a dynamic and powerful album which really showcases the talents of both men. Most of the material was written by Dutkiewicz during a period in hospital for emergency surgery on his back and the pain and frustration of his condition transposes into an honest and raw collection of songs. Tracks like "Fight for life", "Until the end of days", show off Leach's true vocal ability and as Dutkiewicz is providing all of the instrumental work single-handedly, the arrangements are impressive and intricate. There are elements of Nine Inch Nails, a contrast of raw and soft vocals over dark, minimalistic melodies. The final track "Fall From Grace" captures a haunting melancholy with Leach's beautiful vocals, echoing elements of Deftones' Chino Moreno, whilst "Live in Love" combines this with a powerful edge that many listeners may prefer.

However, for fans looking for an album with a heavier sound, this may be an unsatisfactory attempt at a re-kindling of the Killswitch fire. With an almost constant concentration of clean vocals over the rawer screams, arguably what the album really lacks is a powerful and punchy title track to satisfy those seeking an angrier sound. The album does provide a nice set as a whole, the songs do tend to merge into one another with little contrast, but it seems as though "The Hymn Of A Broken Man" wasn't written with the intention of being another "Alive or Just Breathing"; this is definitely a huge step away from Killswitch Engage. Though is an album worthy of appreciation, personally I found it to lack any real hooks, and the air of melancholy that remains a constant feature of each track made it harder to truly enjoy. That said, this is definitely worth a listen, particularly for fans of a more mellow edge.

Album rating: 7/10
Best tracks: "Fight For Life", "Until The End Of Days", "Fall From Grace"
For fans of: Killswitch engage, As I Lay Dying, Nine Inch Nails