Killswitch Engage Rock Long Island, New York

Since vocalist Jesse Leach rejoined Killswitch Engage, the band is more explosive live than they've ever been. A packed house at the Paramount in Long Island, N.Y., witnessed a killer headlining performance with support from Into Another, Battlecross and My Ticket Home.

Killswitch Engage ironically began their set with ‘A Bid Farewell’ but the intense performance was just beginning. They went on to perform older anthems ‘This Fire Burns,’ ‘The Arms of Sorrow,’ ‘Life to Lifeless,’ and ‘Fixation of Darkness.’ When Killswitch perform, it’s empowering and revitalizing -- the saying that "music is a release" truly comes to life when this band hits the stage.

Newer tracks from their latest album ‘Disarm the Descent’ also filled the Paramount, as ‘The New Awakening,’ ‘In Due Time,’ ‘No End in Sight,’ the melodic ‘Always’ and ‘Beyond the Flames’ also found spots in the setlist. Frontman Jesse Leach dedicated the very solid and driven song ‘You Don’t Bleed For Me’ to his father, who was watching from the soundboard.

Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz never disappoints with his antics, whether he’s playing guitar while chugging a beer or putting down his guitar all together do to some pushups. The band as a whole was sturdy and sang songs back to fans just as loud as fans were singing to them.

There’s nothing more cathartic than belting out notable Killswitch tunes ‘Rose of Sharyn,’ and ‘My Last Serenade.’ Leach also dedicated ‘The End of Heartache’ to a war vet in the crowd, as well as the men and women who have and are serving in the U.S. military. After a powerful and invigorating performance, the night came to a close with ‘My Curse.’

Hometown band Into Another served as direct support and are a musical influence to Killswitch vocalist Jesse Leach. It was a tough spot being wedged in between two aggressive powerhouses like Killswitch Engage and Battlecross. Into Another’s music is a bit more mellow and it was tough for them to get the same rise out of the crowd that the bands before and after them received.

Battlecross took the stage before Into Another and to say the least they are a ball of ferocious, headbanging energy. The entire band captures your attention from frontman Kyle Gunther’s impressive beard and hair flying action to guitarist Tony Asta’s sincere smile and riffage. It could also be bassist Don Slater’s animated stage presence, Hiran Deraniyagala’s vibrant guitar skills or the force of Shannon Lucas behind the drumset. As a whole the band is beyond fun yet commanding to watch onstage. Not only are they talented musicians but their personable stage presence and love of the crowd makes them one of the most refreshing metal acts out there today.

The young Ohio lads of My Ticket Home kicked off the night with a heavy riffed filled performance which seemed to be to the liking of the batch of East Coast fans. The night was filled with four very different bands and varied forms of entertainment. Audience highlights included one very drunk guy on the balcony doing push-ups for everyone and a brief girl fight. By the end of the night the floors of the Paramount were sweat soaked and beer stained. It's all apart of the greatness of being at a metal show.

Check Out Photos of Killswitch Engage, Into Another + Battlecross Performing at the Paramount:

Killswitch Engage:

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire