Killswitch Engage:
Westfield, Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage has gained a large fan base with their blend of melody and aggression. The band sticks to the formula that most metalcore bands use, but their songwriting and pop-like sensibility helps the band to stand out in the genre. The band has accrued several successful albums, including 2004’s The End Of Heartache, and has played on multiple Ozzfest and Download festivals.
Early Days:
Killswitch Engage was formed in 1999 from the ashes of Overcast and Aftershock. The band signed quickly with Ferret Records and completed their self-titled debut in 2000. The album wasn’t a huge successful, but gained the attention of Roadrunner Records representatives. Killswitch Engage joined Roadrunner and released 2002’s Alive Or Just Breathing, which gained the band large exposure in the metal community.
Vocalist Departs:
After the release of Alive Or Just Breathing, vocalist Jesse Leach started to struggle with his singing during live shows. Eventually, Leach left the band to spend more time with his family, leaving the band to quickly pick up the pieces and find a replacement singer.
Jones Joins Band:
Blood Has Been Shed singer Howard Jones was enlisted as the new vocalist for Killswitch Engage. His first album with the band, The End Of Heartache, landed the band the number 21 spot on the Billboard charts, and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Killswitch Engage’s 2006 album As Daylight Dies sold 60,000 copies in its first week, with two successful singles spawning from the album, “My Curse” and “The Arms Of Sorrow.” The band also released their cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver,” which was featured on the special edition version of As Daylight Dies.
If You Like Killswitch Engage, You May Want To Check Out:
Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, As I Lay Dying
Current Killswitch Engage Band Members:
Howard Jones - Vocals
Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitar (Aftershock, Austrian Death Machine)
Joel Stroetzel - Guitar (Aftershock)
Mike D’Antonio - Bass (Overcast)
Justin Foley - Drums
Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitar (Aftershock, Austrian Death Machine)
Joel Stroetzel - Guitar (Aftershock)
Mike D’Antonio - Bass (Overcast)
Justin Foley - Drums
Former Band Members:
Jesse Leach - Vocals (1999-2002)
Pete Cortese - Guitar (2002)
Tom Gomes - Drums (2002-2003)
Pete Cortese - Guitar (2002)
Tom Gomes - Drums (2002-2003)
Killswitch Engage Discography:
2000 Killswitch Engage (Ferret)
2002 Alive Or Just Breathing (Roadrunner)
2004 The End Of Heartache (Roadrunner)
2006 As Daylight Dies (Roadrunner)
2002 Alive Or Just Breathing (Roadrunner)
2004 The End Of Heartache (Roadrunner)
2006 As Daylight Dies (Roadrunner)
Recommended Killswitch Engage CD:
Alive Or Just Breathing
On their sophomore album, the last one with vocalist Jesse Leach, Killswitch Engage expand upon the ideas from their debut and put together a strong metalcore album. While it has all the elements most metalcore albums contain, Alive Or Just Breathing stands out among the rest, due to solid songwriting and the excellent vocals that Leach brought to the table. The music is relentless and the balance of melody and brutality is steady, never leaning heavily one way or the other.
On their sophomore album, the last one with vocalist Jesse Leach, Killswitch Engage expand upon the ideas from their debut and put together a strong metalcore album. While it has all the elements most metalcore albums contain, Alive Or Just Breathing stands out among the rest, due to solid songwriting and the excellent vocals that Leach brought to the table. The music is relentless and the balance of melody and brutality is steady, never leaning heavily one way or the other.
