Photos by Sharon Steele – Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band formed in 1999 in Westfield, Massachusetts. Known for their blend of melodic death metal, hardcore punk, and thrash elements, the band quickly gained a reputation for their heavy, aggressive sound combined with melodic elements. The original lineup included vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel, bassist Mike D’Antonio, and drummer Tom Gomes. Their self-titled debut album, Killswitch Engage(2000), put them on the map, and they continued to refine their sound with their subsequent releases.
Their breakthrough came with the 2002 album Alive or Just Breathing, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and helped establish them as one of the leaders of the metalcore scene. The band’s dynamic approach, featuring both harsh and clean vocals, as well as intricate guitar work, resonated with a diverse audience. The departure of Leach in 2002 and his replacement by Howard Jones led to a new era of success, particularly with albums like The End of Heartache (2004), which won the band a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
After Jones’ departure in 2012, Leach returned to the band, and they continued to evolve their sound. Killswitch Engage’s later work, such as Incarnate (2016) and Atonement (2019), demonstrated their ability to adapt while maintaining their signature intensity. Known for their high-energy live shows and passionate fanbase, Killswitch Engage has remained one of the most influential and enduring bands in the modern metal scene, inspiring countless other acts in the metalcore and heavy music genres.
