Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach was the band’s original frontman, singing on their landmark 2002 album Alive or Just Breathing before leaving in 2002. After nearly a decade with vocalist Howard Jones at the microphone, Leach returned to the band in 2012 and has remained the voice of Killswitch Engage ever since, helping lead one of metalcore’s most successful and influential acts into a new era.

Killswitch Engage brought their Summer 2026 U.S. Tour to a packed Ritz in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 9, with support from Machine Head and Iron Reagan and opening act Havok, but the night ultimately belonged to one of metalcore’s most enduring and influential bands. Touring in support of their latest album, This Consequence, Killswitch Engage delivered a commanding performance that showcased both the precision and passion that have defined their career for more than two decades. Jesse Leach’s vocals were powerful throughout the set, balancing the band’s signature aggression with the melodic hooks that helped establish Killswitch Engage as one of the genre’s foundational acts. Guitarists Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel drove the performance with the tight musicianship fans have come to expect, while the rhythm section provided the crushing backbone that propelled classics from Alive or Just Breathing, The End of Heartache, As Daylight Dies, Disarm the Descent, Atonement, and the band’s newest material. The Raleigh crowd responded enthusiastically from start to finish, singing along, crowd surfing, and filling the venue with the kind of energy that has followed Killswitch Engage throughout a career that includes Grammy nominations, gold-certified releases, and a lasting influence on generations of heavy bands. The production was focused and effective, emphasizing the band’s performance rather than spectacle, while the merchandise area remained busy throughout the evening with tour-exclusive apparel, vinyl, and collectibles. Released through Metal Blade Records, This Consequence continues the band’s tradition of combining technical musicianship, memorable songwriting, and emotional authenticity, qualities that have kept Killswitch Engage at the forefront of modern heavy music since their formation in 1999. More than twenty-five years into their career, they remain not only relevant but essential, delivering a performance in Raleigh that demonstrated exactly why they continue to headline major tours and inspire unwavering loyalty from fans around the world. Official website: https://www.killswitchengage.com. Latest release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgS-fkFOsRA

Killswitch Engage