Killswitch Engage Music Videos, Ringtones, Pictures and Photos including My Curse (Artist Commentary), My Curse, End Of Heartache, My Last Serenade Music Videos on Blastro

Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage was formed when two influential Massachusetts metalcore (a fusion genre blending elements of hardcore punk and heavy metal) bands - Overcast and Aftershock - broke up around the same time in 1998. Surviving members from each band started jamming together, and eventually decided to form their own metalcore outfit in the ashes of their former groups. Seeing this as both a sudden ending to their old projects and a prompt new musical beginning, the band - comprised of frontman Howard Jones, bassist Mike D’Antonio, drummer Justin Foley, and guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, - decided to name itself Killswitch Engage. Metaphorically, a “killswitch” is an emergency off-switch, (often found in factories) and to “engage” means to resume or to begin.

The band released its first self-titled album with independent metalcore label Ferret Music in 2000. Though the album sold a disappointing number of copies - mostly due to lack of promotion - it was widely hailed in the metalcore and post-hardcore scenes, and the band landed a record deal with metal megalabel Roadrunner Records (DragonForce, Atreyu) in 2001. Their second album Alive or Just Breathing, released the same year, sold a respectable 110,000 copies. Killswitch Engage’s infectious combination of brutal punk-rock shouting and melodic guitar riffs shines through on standout tracks My Last Serenade and Numbered Days.

Riding on the critical success of Alive or Just Breathing, the band toured extensively, giving stellar performances at both MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball and Ozzfest. The band released their third album The End of Heartache in 2004 to more commercial success than any album since - it sold over 500,000 copies. During this time the band engaged in a number of high profile projects, including separate tours with thrash metal stalwarts Anthrax and Slayer.