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Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band formed in 1999 in Westfield, Massachusetts. The group was founded by former members of the bands Overcast and Aftershock, including guitarist Joel Stroetzel, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who later transitioned to drums. Shortly after forming, vocalist Jesse Leach joined the band, completing the original lineup. Killswitch Engage gained recognition with their self-titled debut album in 2000, but it was their 2002 release, *Alive or Just Breathing*, that brought them widespread attention and helped define the metalcore genre. Following this album, Jesse Leach departed from the band due to personal struggles, leading to the recruitment of Howard Jones as the new vocalist. With Jones as frontman, Killswitch Engage released several successful albums, including *The End of Heartache* (2004) and *As Daylight Dies* (2006), both of which contributed to their rise in popularity with a blend of heavy riffs, melodic choruses, and emotionally charged lyrics. The band's music became a staple in the metal scene, and their songs were featured in major events and video games. In 2012, the band announced the return of original vocalist Jesse Leach after Howard Jones left for health reasons. This marked a new era for Killswitch Engage, and they released *Disarm the Descent* in 2013, followed by *Incarnate* (2016) and *Atonement* (2019), continuing to solidify their place as one of metalcore's most influential acts. Known for their blend of aggression and melody, as well as their positive and personal lyrical themes, Killswitch Engage remains one of the most respected and enduring bands in metalcore. Their music continues to inspire fans around the world while maintaining a powerful presence in the heavy music scene.