With my brother living in Japan with his family, every few years I set out to visit him in the Land of the Rising Sun. This year it just so happened that Killswitch Engage were playing the intimate Osaka venue Club Quattro during my visit. To see the band play Japan was definitely an incredible experience, helped further by an awesome Japanese opening act called Meaning.

With the Japanese fans already abuzz over Killswitch's impending headlining set, opening act Meaning took the stage and won the crowd over immediately. Mixing hardcore, metal and punk elements, Meaning are a spectacular live band and I recommend checking them out if you ever get a chance. The Japanese act is led by a dynamic frontman who engaged the audience from the get-go. He spent nearly half the set in the audience, standing on railings, crowd-surfing, moshing and fully embracing the opportunity to open for a big act like Killswitch Engage. In addition, you don't have to know the language to fully enjoy the band's songs, which are very anthemic in nature. Definitely a band to look out for in the future.

After Meaning's set, the fans started chanting, "Jesse, Jesse," as it was the first time singer Jesse Leach was touring Japan as a member of Killswitch, having left the band prior to their mainstream success before triumphantly returning a couple of years ago. With the Japanese fans in high anticipation, KsE did not disappoint, quickly whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Leach leapt into the audience early on in the set, showing his love for the fans, as the rest of the band delivered a crushing set. Throughout the gig, the very animated guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz fired off a few amusing one-liners.

Killswitch offered up old and new during the 19-song gig, kicking it off with 'A Bid Farewell' as Leach put his spin on several songs from the Howard Jones era of the band. The group also marked Leach's return with a handful of songs from their successful 2013 album, 'Disarm the Descent,' including 'The New Awakening,' 'Always' and 'In Due Time.'

KsE seemed truly appreciative of the warm response they got from their Japanese fans, with the band thanking the crowd several times, as well as giving a big shout out to opening act Meaning.

Check out our full photo gallery from Killswitch Engage's Club Quattro show in Osaka, Japan, below, and be sure to check out the band on their upcoming Australian and North American dates.

Photos of Killswitch Engage in Osaka:

Killswitch Engage
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Killswitch Engage
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Killswitch Engage
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Killswitch Engage
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Killswitch Engage
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Killswitch Engage
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...

Killswitch Engage Fans Before the Band's Set:

Killswitch Engage Fans
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...

Meaning (Opening Act From Japan):

Meaning
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Meaning
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...
Meaning
Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
loading...

More From Loudwire