Westfield, MA · metalcore

Killswitch Engage

2 upcoming festivals

Metalcore's standard-bearers — 'The End of Heartache' still detonates, two decades of the genre's template played by its authors.

Killswitch Engage formed in Massachusetts in 1999 and became one of the defining bands of American metalcore. Their approach set screamed verses against clean, melodic choruses over down-tuned, harmonised guitar riffs, a template that a great many bands followed through the 2000s. Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz also produced much of their work, and his production shaped the sound of the wider scene.

The band has had two singers across its career, Jesse Leach and Howard Jones, with Leach returning after Jones's departure. The End of Heartache remains their best-known record, and songs from it, along with their cover of Dio-era Ronnie James Dio material and other staples, remain fixtures of their live sets.

metalcore