The No. 3 band on the MMM list—Killswitch Engage—was the most difficult one to select just one song from. There could be so many featured here from KSE. They’ve become my favorite metal and metalcore band of the last decade. From first hearing them with Jesse Leach, to the Howard Jones era, and now back to Jesse, they’ve been on heavy rotation at my desk, in the car, and at the gym. In my opinion, they’ve stood apart from many other metal bands having found a recipe for crafting well-written, meaningful metal songs that are catchy as well as heavy. They have hooks.
The band has had a crazy circle of events: what Jesse established in the beginning with his lyrics, singing style, and persona, later influenced Howard. Then Howard brought a whole new spirit — and spiritualness — to the band, singing on arguably the band’s biggest hits with My Curse, The End of Heartache, The Arms of Sorrow, and Rose of Sharyn. (You must watch the live performance of Rose of Sharyn below. AND check out that insane Wall of Death pit!!) Jesse has since picked up where Howard left off, blending his style of early hardcore with melodic metalcore. Any era of KSE just equals great music.
The Turning Point is a killer track off their 2013 release, Disarm The Descent. It sums up the essence of the band and the message is spot on. “This is the turning point, the rising of the tide. No fear inside.” Basically, just do it (someone should trademark that). Some of these newer tracks, like this one, have a tint of an 80’s rock sound to them too, which is cool.
On a side note, follow Jesse Leach on Instagram. He posts incredibly insightful write-ups of his worldly travels. It’s great to see a guy like this remain so humble and honest. And he listens to just about every kind of music too.
SONG/
LIVE VIDEO/
THE ROSE OF SHARYN LIVE VIDEO/
LYRICS /
In these days that pass before me
There was an anxious feeling that would hold me down
Tearing me inside
Bleeding my spirit
This is the turning point, the rising of the tide
No fear inside
This is the change that takes the suffering away
No more wasting time
Face the pain that suffocates
As the past returns to torment me
Wallow in my scars
Save me before I break
This is the turning point, the rising of the tide
No fear inside
This is the change that takes the suffering away
No more wasting time
Find the strength to maintain
Give me, give me a reason to believe
Search for truth that will not change
Give me, give me a reason to believe [x2]
Find the strength to maintain
Search for truth that will not change
