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Killswitch Engage

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Things couldn’t have been more perfect for Killswitch Engage in the beginning of 2002. The band signed to Roadrunner after issuing its self-titled debut on Ferret Music. In May, KsE released Alive Or Just Breathing, which would go on to be lauded by critics and fans alike as a true metal masterpiece, thanks to its melodic underpinnings and its seamless fusion of European thrash metal and American hardcore.
Alive Or Just Breathing burrowed itself atop the American metal radio charts for a month straight. Tours with Soilwork and Hypocrisy were in the bag, and a tour with Kittie, Poison The Well, and Shadows Fall beckoned on the horizon. The album sold steadily (and in fact, continues to sell even when the band isn’t on the road). 2002 was looking to be the summer of summers for Massachusetts’ Killswitch Engage, and all the right pieces of the puzzle were in place.

Then the bottom dropped out, so to speak. In June, vocalist Jesse Leach abruptly left the band, due to voice problems and personal issues. Many wondered what was next. Had Killswitch hit the wall? Would the quintet truly be able to recover or would the band fold? Would a new singer be able to handle the range and dynamics afforded by Leach? Would the band be able to hold on to (or regain) the train of momentum?

According to the band, breaking up was never an option. “I know I was wicked skeptical,” admits drummer turned guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who in addition to producing his own band’s efforts, is hotly sought after to produce other band’s albums, as well. “But everyone else in the band was like, ‘Let’s make something else work.’ I wasn’t sold until I heard Howard’s voice.”

Enter Howard Jones, lead singer of local metalcore band, Blood Has Been Shed. “He heard we were looking for a singer, and he tried out and it just worked,” says Dutkiewicz. The band tried out at least a dozen applicants and it boiled down to Jones having the best overall package: the prettiest clean vocals, the toughest growling vocals, and a menacing stage presence that draws every eye to him.

KsE whole-heartedly insists that Jones’ arrival was the catalyst for a new and improved Killswitch Engage. Says bassist Mike D’Antonio, formerly of highly touted hardcore band Overcast, “Getting Howard into the band was the best thing that could have happened. He had an enormous amount of onstage charisma and energy, and it really adds to the band and gives us a lot more confidence.”

Jones assimilated into the band quickly, playing his first show at July 2002’s Hellfest, essentially the Superbowl of the underground. He easily won over any skeptics. The band broke Jones in by remaining on the road all summer long, with the likes of Kittie, Poison The Well, Shadows Fall, and In Flames, and eventually tore apart Europe on the hugely successful Road Rage tour with labelmates Five Pointe O and 36 Crazyfists. Reflecting on the experience, Dutkiewicz recalls, “Every show was close to sold out! It was insanely good. We were headlining and it was our first time over there and we had a killer response.” Japan also felt the onslaught of KsE.

At the end of 2002, it was as though Killswitch Engage was living the ultimate metal Cinderella story. Things started out smashingly, then crashed, but the quintet did not falter. They dusted themselves off and kept going at an even better, faster pace. In fact, the metal community has voiced its opinion that this incarnation of Killswitch Engage is even better than the original.

Capping off a year of triumph, the band has been invited to perform on the side stage of this summer’s Ozzfest, which will cement Killswitch’s reputation as road warriors. D’Antonio says, “We feel so fortunate to be considered for the most major metal tour going today. It is a huge deal for us. When we found out, everyone was jumping for joy because we will make new fans and show the masses what we can do. We all feel like it is going to be the huge push that we need to get out there and make our presence known. With every tour, we take a step up and not only because you ‘practice’ everyday by being on the road. You hang out with the same people, and connect in the family way. So when we get on stage, things click.”

Before Ozzfest, however, Killswitch Engage will begin working on the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Alive Or Just Breathing. Says D’Antonio, “In the writing process, things have gotten heavier, but at the same time, a lot more melodic. So we’re expanding on what we were already doing and plan on doing more of that.” To keep the basic formula in tact while expanding on it is what diehard KsE fans can only hope for.

It’s readily apparent that Killswitch Engage has only scratched the surface of its potential. With Ozzfest, scores of dedicated fans, and 100% trend-free metal in their arsenal, 2003 and beyond look to be banner years for KsE.

Contact
Website	http://www.killswitchengage.com/

Latest news

Title (comments)	Date
As I Lay Dying announce European clubshows with Killswitch Engage (9)	14 May 2008
Killswitch Engage postponed tourdates (3)	16 January 2007
Unearth's Trevor helps KsE out (11)	14 January 2005
New Killswitch Engage video (14)	20 September 2004
Killswitch Engage post video (6)	4 May 2004
New Killswitch Engage mp3 online (15)	29 March 2004

Reviews

Killswitch Engage - Killswitch Engage

9 July 2009 · Ever since the release of Alive Or Just Breathing I've really liked Killswitch Engage. They even became one of my favorite bands with the release of The End Of Heartache. Opposed to many, I really... »

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v/a - Roadrunner Roadrage DVD 2007

22 October 2007 · Every year it’s the same story: Roadrunner Records releases a cheap DVD with a lot of music videos. The 2007 edition even features 34 clips by Roadrunner artists! But I must say it gets more boring... »

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v/a - Warped Tour 2007 Compilation

28 June 2007 · I can still remember the second day on Lowlands 1997, when the Vans Warped Tour landed on the Dommelsch (or was it still Delta?) stage, and bands like Backfire! and Pennywise set the festival on... »

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Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies

5 December 2006 · I was looking forward to this record, because I liked the previous albums of Killswitch Engage, but the new one disappointed me. The beginning of opening track “Daylight Dies” sounded promising, but... »

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v/a - Roadrunner Roadrage 2006 DVD

22 September 2006 · I'll save you time and only mention the clips I liked on this edition of the Roadrage series. Trivium and Hatebreed of course, being two of my favourites. I was surprised by the Soulfly songs,... »

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v/a - Roadrage DVD 2005

27 September 2005 · The Roadrunner Roadrage DVD, just like the tour with the same title, has become an annual presentation of new music videos (with some older ones as well) that will be widely available for just €10... »

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v/a - Progression Through Aggression II

17 June 2005 · Back in the days Snapcase released an album called "Progression Through Unlearning". Ferret Music continues in that style by releasing a compilation album called "Progression Through Aggression II".... »

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v/a - Eye For An Eye DVD

21 January 2005 · There are a lot of ways to describe the new breed of bands that are taking the mainstream metal scene by storm: New Wave Of American Heavy Metal, metalcore, emocore, mathcore, screamo and so on. But... »

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Killswitch Engage - Killswitch Engage

16 January 2005 · When I heard the news that the debut album of Killswitch Engage would be remixed and remastered, the first thing I asked myself was: why? The same titled CD from 2000 was still in my CD-player on a... »

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v/a - MTV2 Headbangers Ball Volume 2

27 September 2004 · If you were wondering how popular the metalcore genre is nowadays (including mathcore and the New Wave of American Heavy Metal), here’s your answer. The new Headbangers Ball compilation features 40... »

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v/a - Roadrage 2004 DVD

31 August 2004 · After two successful previous editions, here's the 2004 edition of the Roadrage DVD filled with your favourite Roadrunner artists. And it seems that this series is getting more interseting by the... »

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Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache

10 May 2004 · After their well-received self titled debut and the follow up “Alive Or Just Breathing” it’s needless to say that the expectations for the new Killswitch Engage album were very high. Well, let me... »

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Specials

A recap with Killswitch Engage

5 February 2010 · It seems that every interview with Killswitch Engage is fun. This one from 2004 was fun and so is the one AsIce.net recently did with them. Check it out! »

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Killswitch Engage - Still an underground band

30 March 2004 · Killswitch Engage live the American dream. They started out as one of the many hardcore bands who try to create their own unique style, as you can hear on their self titled debut album on Ferret... »

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