Pix by Angie New Photography
Words by Matt New
Metalcore in Australia has been one of the most consistently supported genres within the rock and metal landscape, paving the way for giants such as Parkway Drive, Polaris, and The Amity Affliction. However, none of these bands would have the platform they have today without the mainstream success of Massachusetts-based Killswitch Engage.
The five-piece outfit last visited our shores in 2018 while touring for Incarnate and despite releasing their latest full-length album Atonement in 2019 Killswitch Engage, like many other bands, have been unable to perform their latest music due to the pandemic. Fast-forward to 2024, in addition to their national support of heavy metal loyalty Iron Maiden, a few special sideshows have been added for the diehard fans eager to have the full KSE experience of their own shows.
Killswitch Engage have chosen to perform three carefully selected sideshows in Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Newcastle. The band has rightfully earned their place on the global festival circuit and larger scale arena shows, but there is always a sense of humility and honesty about this band. They are not afraid to stay connected to the underground scene that has nurtured their development into the heavy metal juggernauts they are today.
Excited at the prospect of seeing a band of this calibre in such a unique setting, the two-hour drive up the M1 from Sydney to Newcastle was immediately worth the effort. Bar On The Hill, located on the grounds of the University of Newcastle, is a venue I never imagined I would see any international touring act. I have become conditioned to expect these types of shows in Sydney without fail. While I was waiting for merchandise, a patron started chatting with me in the line, and he expressed surprise that the show was going ahead indoors, as much smaller bands have previously packed out the outdoor area. The indoors section was quite narrow, and in some sections the view to the stage was obstructed by columns. From this moment, I knew the evening would be fun with a small dose of claustrophobia, just like any good hardcore or metalcore show should be.
Opening for Killswitch Engage was Dropsaw, a local five-piece hardcore ensemble from Newcastle. Their sound was a blend of classic Hardcore riffs with a modern metal twist. The quintet were fast, ferocious, and unrelenting, pushing through each song with maximum brutality. Despite the limited stage space for a band with so many members, their stage presence was impressive. Frontman Jarrod McIntosh was captivating as he screamed with conviction and raw power. Songs like In Man We Trust showcased the band’s unique fusion of musical elements that set them apart from other bands that tow the standard Hardcore formula. McIntosh was deeply grateful for the large local crowd at Bar On The Hill as it was clear that this show meant a lot to them. Dropsaw treated the crowd to a new track called Suffocation that went off, and hinted at a new release coming soon. An enjoyable experience by a passionate and powerful band that was a fitting support for this Killswitch sideshow.
Just before Killswitch took to the stage, it was a frenzy to find a spot to watch the show from, as Bar on The Hill was flooded by fans shoulder to shoulder, forcing a few to watch from the balconies on the side of the venue. Energetically, Killswitch Engage took the stage and opened their set with My Curse, a song that has 227 million streams on Spotify. So, understandably, you could have imagined how frantic the crowd was to hear this track so early on in their set. A sea of people was bouncing in unison, in addition to the never-ending wave of crowd surfers aiming to get closer to their idols at the front of the stage.
Frontman Jesse Leach was enigmatic as he delivered every last note with power, precision, and emotion,all the while overwhelmed by the positive energy being fed to the band from this enthusiastic Newcastle audience. Leach was hard to keep up with; one moment he would be on stage, the next he would be among the fans singing from the crowd, hugging every last fan he could with the widest smile on his face.
2024 marks the 25th anniversary since the formation of this highly influential band, and the set served as a montage to highlight the many amazing contributions they have made to heavy metal music. With material stretching back to 2002’s Alive or Just Breathing right through to 2019’s Atonement, Killswitch Engage had all bases covered, ensuring every fan would leave satisfied. Where most other metalcore bands within this genre sing about some very dark subject matter, Killswitch Engage is a breath of fresh air. Their lyrical content embodies nothing but positive messages and motivational content, which when received in a live context, makes the experience even more joyous and cathartic.
The level of musicianship within the ranks is nothing short of amazing. Where most bands struggle to keep up with their recorded efforts, Killswitch Engage flourish and excel well beyond what you would expect. Led by the charismatic Adam D on lead guitar, he barely falters as he hammers down every last riff and solo on his menu. Joel Stroetzl is equally as accomplished on the electric guitar, as he also navigated through the set flawlessly. On several occasions he dueled on lead passages with Dutkiewicz, akin to the best in the business. Finally, the rhythm section, consisting of bassist Mike D’Antonio and drummer Justin Foley, were absolutely crushing on their respective instruments.
Killswitch Engage used the breaks between songs to connect with their audience, sharing some light-hearted and sarcastic banter. No topic was off limits. The one thing they asked of us was to spend less time on our phones, and more time in the moment with each other. With Adam D making an exception for dick pics while chugging his beer. They drew special attention to how much they think Australians have the “best sense of humour” all the while rejecting every demand to do a shoey. Even if Adam D narrowly missed a shoe to the head from a rowdy fan. They genuinely love visiting Australia, and you could see how sincere they were about this. Rather than treating this show as another event, singer Jesse reminded everyone that this was “a gathering” and that they would not be where they are today without the loyal support of their Australian Fans.
As the set was nearing a close, I managed to navigate my way through the densely packed crowd to find my wife Angie, who was stationed off to the side of the stage in front of the barrier, after working her camera magic in the pit. I have never been this close to a band like Killswitch Engage before, and the new perspective was rewarded repeatedly, as Jesse Leach would stare our way and lock eyes as he delivered his heart-warming lyrics. The whole experience felt personal, like the band was playing to each individual in that room.
I could not have been happier in this moment, as I got to see songs like Strength of the Mind, Rose of Sharyn, and The End of Heartache being within arm’s reach of these amazing musicians. Finishing this memorable set with My Last Serenade and their cover of Dio’s Holy Diver, no encore was needed. They came, they played, and they conquered, like the world-class metal band they are. As they parted ways for the evening, Leach dropped a subtle hint of them returning to Australia in 2025, so hopefully a new album, tour, or even an addition to some upcoming festivals is certainly imminent.
