KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
ALIVE OR JUST BREATHING
ROADRUNNER
LINKS:
killswitchengage.com
roadrunnerrecords.com

May 2002 the hardcore/metal scene was knocked to its knees when Killswitch Engage released its Roadrunner Records debut Alive or Just Breathing to hungry music miscreants. Alive or Just Breathing is comprised of so many essential elements that it would be impossible to list them all.
Singer Jesse Leach put all his talent on the table with this record;his vocal skills seem unreal. His diversity in vocal techniques is heard on the band’s first single “My Last Serenade”. Leach’s pent up frustrations are let loose in growls that would make a priest scream in udder horror, and without a flinch Leach changes to a melodic tone without sounding strained. Made me think there were two vocalists when I first heard the song. The vocals are just a portion of KSE’s talents. There is extreme steel geared into every song by Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkeiwicz. The bass lines produced by Mike D’Antonio would make any girl shudder (including myself), and the skins are to die for. Tom Gomes must have pretty strong legs for his double kick action would make your head spin. Some key tracks to listen to would include “My Last Serenade”, ”Fixation on the Darkness”, “To the Sons of Man”, “Temple from Within”, and “Element of One”.

When Leach left after the band’s first U.S. tour, fans were burdened with the thought that KSE was done for. That usually is the case when the front man leaves, but not with Killswitch Engage. They might have slowed down but they picked the momentum back up and slammed back into the scene with new vocalist Howard Jones, known for fronting NYC headbangers Blood Has Been Shed. Howard’s first live gig with the rest of KSE came on July 12th 2002 at Syracuse’s annual 3-day Hellfest for the eyes of thousands of people. By the end of their set they had won over the crowd. The band knew Howard was a keeper.

Killswitch Engage re-did the vocals on the track “Fixation on the Darkness” with Howard, and shot a live video in their home state of Massachusetts. The guys are now working on a new album and have been added to the slew of breaking edge bands on the second stage on the Ozzfest trek across the U.S. this summer. The next album is guaranteed to be “sick”. Howard is definitely gonna take this band far and beyond. I can honestly give this record a 10, and I’m a very hardcore/metal misfit to impress and please. These guys have blown my ass away.

NOTE: during their journey with Ozzy this summer Killswitch Engage will be playing an “off” date mini tour with Europe’s own black metal band Cradle of Filth, along with Sworn Enemy and fellow Massachusetts Boys Shadows Fall. Those bands are also on Ozzfest.

---- Janean Gabriel