That’s actually not true that he is a classically trained opera singer, he said it himself in a recent interview. I can see why a lot of people would believe that due to his vibrato vocals but that’s not the case at all.
Killswitch Engage is awesome. I definitely prefer Howard as the lead vocalist over Jesse, but both are great. You should definitely check out more from them.
Yeah, both are solid for sure, but being introduced to them years ago with Howard as the vocalist, hearing anybody but him just seems off for me. Might just be the nostalgia for me though.
I got into them before Howard so I prefer Jesse, but agree they're both great. Howard was the best replacement they possibly could have found. Objectively Howard is probably the better vocalist, but Jesse will always be the KSE sound I originally got hooked on so there's that nostalgia factor.
@@davebcf1231 That is how it is with me. I got into them with Jesse as vocals in Alive or just breathing. At the time that album was really far ahead of the curb.
Well, they each had their moments. Jesse created KSW with Alive or Just Breathing, but once Howard took over, it was another level for them. Both are amazing and I’m glad to see Jesse playing both songs live (his and Howards)
This song makes me cry every time I hear it, personal stuff that happened in my life, there is a band for every emotion Killswitch engage is for people who feel hopeless and lost.
Hell YES!!! Finally some KSE. Please do more, they’re awesome and incredibly positive with their message, which is not always easy to find in metal. Super talented and uplifting! I recommend When Darkness Falls
I'd love to see some more KSE. There are three era's - Jesse Leach was the original singer, but was replaced by Howard Jones (the singer on this song) after the first couple of albums. The band gained a lot of popularity with Howard out front, but he was forced to leave the band due to some health issues and Jesse came back in his place. The two have a song together (Signal Fire) that is worh checking out. Most reactors make the mistake of reacting to radio edits - stay clear of official videos (the official video for Signal Fire is a safe one, though) - stick with lyric or audio only videos if you react to more!
Always preferred the og Jesse stuff if I'm being honest. Never really dug the power metal vocal style of Howard, or cleans in general lol. He's good no doubt, just not my thing.
I love that they joined up for Signal Fire. It's a pretty great song. Like some others in these comments, I first heard KSE with Howard as the vocalist. I like Jesse's vocals as well but Howard is one of the best in metal in my opinion.
This isn't Metalcore. KSE were originator in the "New American Heavy Metal" genre that predates Metalcore. Lamb of God, Unearth, Shadows Fall, God Forbid all apart of that same genre.
I saw them on the Killthrax tour with Anthrax and the encore at the end of the show was Killswitch playing Holy Diver with Joey Belladonna and Jesse trading off vocals. It was amazing!
This is IMHO one of the best metal songs ever. Lyrically, musically, emotionally hits a ton of emotions we feel in life. The beauty and brutality of it is second to none. The greatest Metalcore band ever
In this episode of Brad & Lex, the chaotic beauty of this beastly cut captures the couch couples craniums as they do what they do. Brad with a mellow "inqusitive side to side sway" and Lex with an on and off "ponder bop".
Killswitch Engage- In due time has their new singer Jesse and their song The Singal fire has both old (Howard) and new singer (Jesse) in same song. Howard Jones has since joined a different band "Light the Torch" and started a project with famous RU-vidr Jared Dines "Sion" and it's amazing. And speaking of Jared Dines. He does a giant shred collab every year with dozens of guitarist.
You guys should definitely check out more from these guys, but listen to something off of "Alive or Just Breathing" or "End of Heartache" those are their two best albums by far.
I’m glad y’all finally made it to killswitch engage. They have so many awesome tracks by both singers (Howard Jones and Jessie Leach). Y’all should check out these one too: Eye of the storm (Jones) End of heartache (Jones) Still beats your name (Jones) This is absolution (Jones) This fire (Jones) Cut me loose (Leach) It falls on me (Leach) Prophets of treason (Leach) Strength of the mind (Leach) I am broken too (Leach)
I have been waiting for Killswitch! They are absolute gold, and are one of the greatest metalcore bands that have ever existed. They owned the genre and warped it around themselves for many years.
Apparently I miss all the streams I would enjoy more these days lol. Great reaction as usual. I Saw Killswitch Enguage live for the first time last year with Slipknot. They sound really good live.
Killswitch Engage hails from my home state of Massachusetts. Brad, your intuition is correct on their influences. Bands like Metallica and Pantera to name a couple of their influences. This genre is what would be considered Metalcore.
This album came out right after my girlfriend and 2 other friends were killed in a car accident and every song on this album makes me cry almost 20 years later. The lyrics are so powerful to me and Howard delivers them so passionately. Y’all should check out Rose of Sharyn of this same album ✌🏻❤️
This is metalcore which is a fusion of metal and hardcore punk which really blew up in the early 2000s into the 2010s KSE was one of the first big bands along with All that Remains and august burns red and parkway drive( who the guitarist of KSE produced their first few albums) opening the genre to bigger audiences and a plethora of bands. I seen them live a couple times and they don’t disappoint at all a total rager of a set and energy
Howard Jones the metal brother and beast live! KSE with Howard live is one of the incredible performances ever! This qas the beginning of metalcore and considered the pinnacle.
This style was big in the 2000s. Was a whole New Wave of American Metal that combined thrash, melodic death metal, groove metal, and a hardcore vocal style. Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, Trivium, God Forbid, Chimaira, Devildriver were other major bands of this style and era.
Ill never forget seeing them in concert. I get chills to this day when I think about the feelings I had when they started playing on main stage..... Your girls' smile on her face made me smile =). I think she may be a closet metal head ;'). I've watched alot of videos but not enough to know. Thanks for the good vibes. GL and congrats on your success....
Ahh welcome to metalcore 😆 this should open u guys up to loads more bands, enjoy! If you enjoyed it maybe try Rose of Sharyn by killswitch? I could sit and suggest literally 1000s of songs but I'll leave you guys to it
One of my favorite songs of all time! Howard Jones the vocalist has incredible pipes!!! Chech his colaboration with Jared Dines too! It' called SION. They have album recently. You'll love it.
This is probably my favorite band. It'll be 20 years this year since I discovered them. Kind of wild but you will probably enjoy all their stuff. Much like Metallica they never miss.
You guys are amazing. What have you been doing this for about 8 months now? When you were talking about bands that influenced them and the way that the instruments sounded older and the vocals sounded newer, like Meshugah, man that was spot-on. You guys are for real metalheads now. I remember back when you guys started and you thought it all sounded like mush.
Long overdue IMO. The band has had 2 singers, following are some of my favorite tracks from each one. Howard Jones: --The End of Heartache --The Arms of Sorrow --Rose of Sharyn Jesse Leach: --Last Serenade --Unleashed --Temple from the Within Both!!! --The Signal Fire
Killswitch Engage is one of my favorite metal bands and have a great library of songs throughout their whole history. My favorite is one of their older songs that does not begin as chill called "Fixation on the Darkness", sung by their original and now current vocalist Jesse Leach.
one of the greatest metal vocalists of all time. you guys need to check out "the blade" by Sion. same vocalists. the power and control is off the charts.
The End of Heartache is (probably) their biggest song. Would recommend that and Rose of Sharyn for Howard Jones songs. Then you can pick any number of songs with Jesse, but would recommend hearing a song from Jesse’s first stint and his second stint with the band, whatever those may be.
You guys definitely need to do more Killswitch, their lyrics have such a positive message in most of their songs but the music is so aggressive, it is such a great mix. Also need to check out All That Remains they have a very similar sound. Keep doing your thing, love the guitar solo reactions. lol
They actually pioneered that vocal style and genre (metalcore). The whole hardcore style screaming and growling in the verses but then anthemic choruses with clean singing style a ton of bands have now. They were the first to do it and make it popular. Their old/current singer especially. Their second album alive or just breathing really put them and the style on the map. Unfortunately Jesse left the band after that album and Howard left in 2012 when Jesse returned
First time for me. Basic Black Metal. Hello again from Finland! U listened Nighwish and Steven seagulls. Hanoi Rocks, Apocalyptica, HIM etc. +700 Heavy bands! And rap artist like Redrama etc.
Howard Jones has one of the unique voices in the metal scene. I can so relate to how mind boggled you were hearing Howard sing. Howard Jones is in another band called "Light The Torch" their latest album came out in 2021 titled "You Will Be the Death of Me". If you haven't listened to the band yet, then I'd like to see you guys do a reaction video of the song "Calm Before the Storm" on their first album. 🤘🤘🤘
Welcome to metalcore brad & lex!!! KSE is amazing need to check out these songs- end of headache- rose of Sharyn- daylight dies- holy diver(dio cover) - a big farewell- fixation of the darkness- my last serenade- alive or just breathing-
When I heard Killswitch for the first time I was hooked. I rocked out to them for months before I actually took the time to watch a music video. When I found out the lead singer was black it made me fall in love with them even more. Howard has the most intense range in his voice and I think it’s awesome to have someone like him performing heavy metal. Sadly he’s not with the band anymore and the music just isn’t the same. Howard Jones is Killswitch Engage!
Killswitch is great. Jesse has some fantastic stuff with a lot of power in the messages like "strength of the mind", "always", "I am broken too" or some stuff from his first run with them but howard will probably always be the fan favorite for stuff like this, "end of heartache", "arms of sorrow" or "rose of sharyn". Such an iconic voice that could command an army with those cleans, especially in combination with Adam (guitarist and the second voice you hear during the bridge).
