Killswitch Engage

Musical Group

Forfans of metalcore and heavy music, newcomers curious about early 2000s metalcore, readers of debaser music reviews.
8 Reviews 5 Definitions 2 Charts

The Profile

American metalcore band formed in 1999 in Massachusetts, known for pioneering modern metalcore with landmark releases such as Alive Or Just Breathing and The End of Heartache.

Original vocalist Jesse Leach performed on early releases; Jesse Leach departed and Howard Jones became the band's vocalist in the period covered by some reviews. Adam Dutkiewicz is a central member who has produced for the band and, on Alive Or Just Breathing, recorded the drum parts after a drummer departure (as noted in contemporary reviews).

DeBaser hosts a handful of passionate reviews celebrating Killswitch Engage's role in modern metalcore. Early releases like Alive Or Just Breathing are repeatedly praised as genre-defining. Later albums and live shows receive mostly positive assessments with notes about production and lineup changes. Reviewers highlight Adam Dutkiewicz's production/playing and the vocal contrast between Jesse Leach and Howard Jones.

Notable Quotes

❝ The greatest Metalcore album of all time?

❝ Melodic trash-death metal (but not only) mixed with American hardcore in an exquisite manner.

❝ KSE appeared to be in good shape, although some additional scenographic elements wouldn’t have hurt, such as the classic backdrop behind the stage with the band’s name and some more light effects.

❝ The album in question is a must-have, both for metalheads and for those inclined towards more rock sounds... it’s beautifully played; in some tracks you can’t stop jumping and it’s full of energy.