ShockHound

This melodic US metalcore band was formed after the demise of two local Massachusetts bands, Aftershock and the underrated Overcast. Combining modern hardcore à la Hatebreed, with the fluid Scandinavian thrash sound of In Flames, Killswitch Engage heralded a new wave of intricate and aggressive American metal. The original line-up of the band featured Rhode Island native and former Corrin vocalist Jesse David Leach, bass player Mike D'Antonio (ex-Overcast), guitarist Joel Stroetzel and drummer Adam Dutkiewicz (both ex-Aftershock).
A series of impressive local performances earned the band a support slot to In Flames on their American tour, which in turn secured a contract with the independent Ferret Records. The resulting self-titled collection, released in 2000, was a highly impressive and well-received debut. Dynamic and diverse the band shifted seamlessly between hardcore breakdowns and death metal riffs, while Leach alternated between screamed and melodic vocal passages. Immediately successful, the buzz generated about Killswitch Engage preceded a move to Roadrunner Records, where a larger recording budget paid dividends in the studio. Produced by Dutkiewicz, with the final mix by Andy Sneap, 2002's Alive Or Just Breathing was a polished advance on the debut, maintaining a hardcore edge within more metallic grooves than the predecessor, while Leach's vocals and spiritual lyrics helped propel the band above their peers.
Gaining saturation airplay on American rock radio, the band raised their profile further on tours with Soilwork, Kittie and Hypocracy. Just as the momentum was building however, Leech abruptly departed citing vocal problems; a replacement was rapidly found in Howard Jones of hardcore unit Blood Has Been Shed. Playing his first show with the band at the Hellfest festival, the band was as propulsive as ever (Dutkiewicz also had by now switched to guitar, the band bringing in former Aftershock drummer Tom Gomes to fill the void for touring purposes). With the new line-up in place and the band fully focused, a successful European campaign followed.
Former Blood Has Been Sheed drummer Justin Foley was brought in to replace Gomes at the end of the year. The band's third studio album, The End Of Heartache, was released in summer 2004. The album went on to sell over 400,000 copies in the USA, announcing the band's arrival as a major commercial force. The 2006 follow-up As Daylight Dies enhanced their reputation as one of the leaders of the current pack.
DISCOGRAPHY: Killswitch Engage (Ferret 2000)***, Alive Or Just Breathing (Roadrunner 2002)****, The End Of Heartache (Roadrunner 2004)***, As Daylight Dies (Roadrunner 2006)****.
VIDEOGRAPHY: (Set This) World Ablaze (Roadrunner 2005).

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