Why Killswitch Engage’s Debut Is One Of Metalcore’s Most Important Albums
Released on July 4, 2000 (or July 11 in the UK), Killswitch Engage’s self-titled debut is rightly seen as a major steppingstone in the then-burgeoning subgenre of metalcore (itself a style that sits within the larger spectrum of NWOAHM that rose to prominence in the mid-1990s). Fusing the destructive temperaments (see: devastating guttural grows) and techniques (blastbeats and breakdowns) of extreme metal with the impassioned social commentary and DIY attitudes of hardcore punk, the Killswitch Engage LP forged a characteristic and influential blueprint. It may not be as popular or impressive as its successors; yet, considering how far it took the band – while inspiring countless artists we love today – it’s undoubtedly one of their most important. The Massachusetts ensemble formed in ...
