Last night in Melbourne, metal kings Killswitch Engage slayed their second sold out show, playing their iconic debut album “Alive or Just Breathing” in full.

After the almighty San Francisco based Fallujah left the stage, with their relentless energy and windmill worthy riffs, there was a feeling of nostalgia and excited anticipation in the air as we awaited some of metalcore’s biggest influencers to take the stage.

In the dark and intimate setting of 170 Russell, Killswitch Engage kicked off their set in true Adam D fashion with a cheeky greeting “Welcome fuckers” and then launched straight into a fury of thrashing riffs, drum beats and bass lines, Killswitch showing us exactly why we have missed them so much since their last visit to Australian shores. Lead vocalist, Jesse D certainly held nothing back vocally or emotionally, drawing us in with his emotive expressions, his eyes portraying heart felt honesty behind every lyric. The raw power and vulnerability behind his multilayered vocals had myself and everyone else in the room transfixed. Adam D’s bold charisma, provided another layer to the performance all while nailing his trademark guitar squeals, deep brutal screams and clean vocals. . His infectious energy was evident as he constantly moved around stage running in little circles or jogging on the spot, (luckily he was wearing his workout gear, sporting a headband with the word “trashed” hand written across the front) The jokester’s engaging personality amped up the crowd even more, waving at myself and other individual people in the crowd, while having personalised sing alongs, making the show all the more special.

Killswitch Engage have just stepped it up another notch with that incredible performance and I personally can’t wait to see them back for another Australian headline tour playing more from all their killer albums, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Review by Sarah Thomson