Killswitch Engage Albums Ranked
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage’s current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D’Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. The band has released eight studio albums and two live performance albums. Their eighth studio album, Atonement, was released on August 16, 2019. Killswitch Engage rose to fame with its 2004 release The End of Heartache, which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA in December 2007 for over 500,000 shipments in the United States. The title track, “The End of Heartache”, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005 for Best Metal Performance, and a live DVD titled (Set This) World Ablaze was released in 2005. Killswitch Engage has performed at festivals such as Soundwave Festival, Wacken Open Air, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Ozzfest, Download Festival, Rock on the Range, Rock Am Ring, Mayhem Festival, Monsters of Rock, Pointfest, Knotfest, and Heavy MTL. The band has sold over four million records in the U.S. and has been considered notable within the New Wave of American Heavy Metal, and has also been considered one of the earliest leading forces of the metalcore genre. Here are all of Killswitch Engage albums ranked.
Don’t miss out on TIMELESS Killswitch Engage albums below! Click to experience heavy metal songs.
8. Killswitch Engage (2000)
“Adam Dutkuwiecz proves he is an excellent drummer as well as an inventive guitar player in the next album and joel stroetzel shows that he is the backbone with tight lightning fast riffs worthy of Kerry king or a modern day Hetfield.People might dog this album because of the recording quality but, to me it sounds so raw and garage,almost as if the were freestyling the whole album and that is what makes this album one of my favorites”
7. Incarnate (2016)
“This is a superb return to form not just for the band but it also showcases just how far Jesse has progressed as a vocalist. Yes he doesn’t sound like Howard however at this stage it doesn’t matter, he has nothing to prove and he makes these songs and the band once again his own. What we have here is a nice mixture of everything that over the years has defined the Killswitch sound and incorporates fresh elements whilst paying homage to the early days of AOJB with others.”
6. Atonement (2019)
“Several of the songs on this album are particularly heavy, including “The Signal Fire” and the “The Crownless King” which are hands down my two favorite songs on the album; both are collaborations as well. They hearken back to the riffs and screaming on the early albums, but with a healthy growth in songwriting ability and shear talent. Which brings up the seemingly long-anticipated collaboration with Howard Jones. They certainly did not let us down with that; they very rarely do.”
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5. Killswitch Engage (2009)
“One word AMAZING, this band gets overshadowed a lot but don’t let other peoples views cloud your judgment every song gets your heart thumping as well as get you singing at the top of your voice, see “Save Me” “Starting Over” Howard’s voice is electric!”
4. The End Of Heartache (2004)
“The title track, “End of Heartache,” is a terrific track, perhaps the album’s best. It incorporates everything…melodic singing, acidic screams, killer riffs, technical musicianship…everything. “When Darkness Falls” and “World Ablaze” are simply amazing, too. Intense metalcore music with great screams mixed with deep, melodic singing make this one of the best bands in the genre. Their guitarists are very creative and talented, making that the best part of this band.”
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3. Alive Or Just Breathing (2002)
“I never heard Killswitch Engage with Jesse Leach on vocals before. I have to say as I am impressed with this album as it’s raw and heavy and just brutal. It kinda reminds me of Thrillseeker by August Burns Red who had Adam D of Killswitch Engage helped produced. Great album from these guys, if you never heard Killswitch’s earlier stuff then get around to doing so. I never thought of doing it as I always preferred Howard Jones since he can sing as well as scream.”
2. Disarm The Descent (2013)
“Disarm the Descent has turned into one of my favorite Killswitch albums. Vocally, Jesse has come a long way and the melodic hooks we all love KSE for are definitely up to par with Howard, and some may like his style better. This album is top notch KSE that we all come to expect from them whether it’s Howard or Jesse singing. If you like Howard better, fair enough. But give the record a chance and you shouldn’t be disappointed. I have a new respect for Jesse.”
1. As Daylight Dies (2006)
“Great album. This is metalcore at it’s finest. Plenty of melody mixed in to vary up the screams and breakdowns, which to me is always a great thing! This is a very talented band and definitely worth a listen to for anyone who is in to this kind of music”