The pioneers of modern metalcore has made this genre an art form and through countless albums and a few line-up changes has stayed relevant through their heart pounding guitars, ferocious drum work and fantastic inspiring lyrics that focuses on everything from societal problems to personal relationships. The scope and versatility of their music has made them into an ever growing force in metal. Here is my top selection of songs from this band:
5. Strength of the Mind
The first song on the countdown is also one of the band’s newest songs from their 2016 album “Incarnate”, which in itself was highly praised by critics. The song has a fantastic intro riff that draws the listeners into the music, before vocalist Jesse Leach screams “Strength of the Mind” to really set the song into motion. The verses and chorus are both fast but offer a different tone that compliments each other. The breakdown before the bridge is also an epic part of the song where the vocalist offers sound life advice “I’ve seen rock bottom and I’ve smashed my fists against it. Just keep telling yourself it will be alright.”
“Who can take the pain away and change you, only you.” as well as the lyric “Gather all your pain and suffering, turn them into strength and weaponry to overcome the enemy that’s in you,” are great examples of the lyrical quality of the band.
A fantastic song about keeping a sound mind and not letting bad thoughts control the good in oneself.

4. The End of Heartache
Epic is one word to describe this song from Killswitch Engage that was released on their 2004 album with the same title. Howard Jones was the vocalist for the band during this stage and was known for his unique vocal range with growling screams and smooth opera like vocals when singing the cleaner parts. This is just one of the songs that get this balance perfectly right. The song has hard fast parts, slow melodic sections and lyrics that will make some of the world’s poet’s wish that they had written it. The song’s main message is about a broken relationship and the heartache that goes with it, as well as the way to cope with it. “Seek me for comfort, Call me for solace, I’ll be waiting for the end of my broken heart,” is my favourite line from the song.

3. In Due Time
Since 2013 when this song came out, it has been a staple of the band’s live set and with good reason. The guitar riff is fast paced and frenetic – just as one would expect from this band. Jesse Leach’s frenzied vocals extenuates the song, before the dual vocals between Leach and Adam Dutkiewicz make the chorus a memorable and catchy shift from the cannonball verses. “All in due time, I see the world from different eyes, shadows will give way to light,” is a great chorus that inspires, while the bridge echoes these statements that are finished off with a solo to put the cherry on the cake.

2. My Last Serenade
This is one of Killswitch Engage’s earliest songs from their 2002 album “Alive or Just Breathing” and a great example of the bands earliest influence on this genre of music with the clean, unclean vocals, ferocious guitar and drum work perpetuating this timeless song from this band. A great song from a band who were in just their beginning stages to fame with this excellent song.

1. My Curse
This song is pure magic and a symphony of brilliance for any metal or rock fan for that matter. This is Killswitch Engage’s finest effort to date in terms of popularity and universal appeal from hardcore fans. The song begins with a melodic clean guitar part before the pulsating drums and rhythm guitars blast in to mix. Lead vocalist, Jones adds a long and recognisable growl to the mix for added effect to get the song into sixth gear. Another memorable part is the chorus where Jones belts out “There is love burning to find you, will you wait for me,” as well as the bridge with the thunderous double bass drums contrasting with the soft vocals and melodic guitar parts. The ending where Dutkiewicz and Jones alternates “There is Love” with both clean and screaming vocals ends this masterpiece off perfectly.