Classical Composer Reacts to Killswitch Engage (The End of Heartache) | The Daily Doug (Episode 532)

[@maxzero9647]

Be careful, Doug, this is how it starts. First, Killswitch drags you into extremely well produced harsh vocals (much better on the album than the filter they had on the mic here,) then you find other Metalcore like As I Lay Dying's "My Own Grave" and All That Remains' "Six" , and then you get the ear training to start picking up lyrics without looking them up, you go back to Tool for a bit, and suddenly, bam, you're listening to Meshuggah's "Bleed", waist deep in double kick polyrhythm wondering how it came to this. Then you decide to see what's new, find Lorna Shore's "Pain Remains" trilogy, and now you're irrevocably down the Death Metal rabbit hole.

[@christianrunfola9461]

This

[@justinmoraal4764]

that is almost exactly how it started with me, it all started with Howard Jones

[@magusmelanie828]

​@Werse Varsity I noticed the cupping, and I thought of Glenn from Spectre Sounds Studios

[@TheNamesJER]

This is exactly how it starts 😂

[@maxzero9647]

@@magusmelanie828 That was a fascinating rabbit hole, thank you!

[@matthewaper3716]

This entire album is one killer track after another. Absolutly my favorite record from 2004!

[@Acre00]

2004 was an awesome year in metal. End of Heartache, Ashes of the Wake, Leviathan, Epitaph, The War Within, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses, and many more. Absolutely packed with awesome album after awesome album

[@FlashheadX]

@@Acre00 Interesting observation because I know 2004 mostly as a fantastic year for video games, and it appears that several great movies were released in that year too. The early 2000s were a blast.

[@wtf_floyd1742]

One of the best ever made

[@pil3driverwaltz164]

Just discovered this album 🤘 how lucky am i

[@DPK99ATown]

I grew up close to Westfield, Ma where they are credited as originating from/recording records from and the metal scene around this time was unreal. Great times for sure

[@joemuscato1417]

I was in the front row for this show! One of the greatest nights of my life

[@davidalbertogardabarrios9421]

You sir are sure one hell of lucky man, kudos to you and keep on rocking bro 🤟🏽

[@kevon4483]

I was there too! not front row but amazing show for me too :)

[@modalize]

[@shanedenny2871]

@@modalizewhere were you? lol

[@cambo6967]

This is in my hometown of Worcester. I was there too and tix were 5 f*cking bucks!!! Amazing show with As I Lay Dying opening and In Flames co headlining. My 2nd favorite Killswitch show ever

[@lakobause]

I just love watching everyone from vocal coaches to rappers to composers getting blown away by the powerhouse that is Howard Jones helming Killswitch Engage.

[@anthonyem1989]

one of my fav youtube rabbit holes

[@sentenced03]

Signal fire is an excellent song to check out it shows the strengths of both singers.

[@shadybrain3424]

100% only listening to kse with howard is only half the tale, Jesse has to be heard to the passion Jesse sang with in alive or just breathing was incredible. the whole picture is both of them, they are both great singers.

[@charleysage5827]

Absolutely. I prefer Howard but they are great together

[@KaptajnKrogh]

Adam D - the guitarist is an insane talent in music, a bit like Dave Grohl. He produces, he played the drums in the band in the original line up, he is playing guitar in the band now. But if you listen to those backing vocals.......he is a very good singer to !!!

[@justinmoraal4764]

absolutely, i have huge respect for Adam and Foo Fighters are my favorite band so I absolutely love Dave Grohl too, both powerhouses in their respective genres.

[@speedlife301]

Adam is pure talent. Him and Howard are an unstoppable force

[@firdauszainudin7118]

The Will of D.

[@xj31]

And he was on The Price is Right

[@CradlePayne]

I LOVE Adams tone in his vocals. Flawless live.

[@b.s.4478]

Hi Doug, Songs like "Rose of Sharyn", "The arms of Sorrow", "My Curse", "This Fire Burns" and "My Last Serenade" are also amazing. Cheers from Portugal!

[@hobojungle1]

If there was ever a “screamy metal” album that everyone and their grandma could get into, it’s this one. That may sound disparaging but I mean that in the best way. It’s so good, but in a way that brilliantly utilizes pop sensibilities and massive hooks. A true iconic album of the early 2000s.

[@alucard3317]

Yeeees imo, The End Of Heartache is their best album, even better than As Daylight Dies

[@MattyJ]

I could never get into screaming metal, but as a guitarist I needed to listen, and still find it hard at times, but this definitely was a nice transition and helped ease into it lol

[@ajplaysdrums]

Also as someone else said, since you were looking for rock/metal artists with black representation for black history month, Sevendust is an excellent group to check out. Lajon is a fantastic singer and frontman.

[@mikefelty2625]

God Forbid is another good choice.

[@nathancolman1893]

Fire From the Gods

[@TheNamesJER]

Love that you finally got around to listening to these guys! Howard is still unmatched in his vocals. If you are looking for another one to do by them, “My Curse” is one of the strongest tracks they’ve ever done.

[@dakotalynde1913]

Howard Jones current band is called Light The Torch and I love all their music. It just brings me back to the old Killswitch Engage and I love it!

[@tonytaurus3676]

"No voice teacher that I know would encourage that" May I propose an interview with metal voice coach Melissa Cross :D

[@mavmarkproductions2473]

YES! that would be amazing.

[@GhostDrummer]

Doug, I’m 8 months late to this reaction, but I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve grown to appreciate your input with these different genres you’re covering. When I first subbed, I wasn’t sure if I would stick around, but now every reaction you do is just amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@mstorrboy]

I don't know if you came across Sevendust in your search for bands this month, but their singer has some pipes himself.

[@tonyr9389]

So glad you didn’t do the softer video version. Ty Doug! This was my high school days good times

[@Gennys]

You're absolutely right there isn't a lot of African American musicians involved in metal. But you've already reviewed the two that I personally can think of which is tosin abasi and Killswitch engaged. I think all of us would like to make sure your journey is good and fair and welcome.

[@Bellathor]

Howard has a great project SION with Jared Dines with some catchy cool songs too. I've been checking out Killswitch after hearing some piano covers by Sean Townsend (fantastic chill stuff that also highlights the songwriting). A fantastic, powerful/emotional song with Jesse is "Always", both the regular and acoustic versions. As for other black vocalists, Lajon Witherspoon from Sevendust has a great voice. I'm not a huge Sevendust fan, but "All I See is War" is one of my favorite albums of 2018. He also did a great song with Earthside called Mob Mentality.

[@TheKittyManYT]

Something I've enjoyed as you continue to discover and analyze more music is how much your attitude changes. I remember when you hated double kicks. That's awesome.

[@OoGradyoO]

Great video. I enjoyed you reacting to the video as it went along, no stopping or starting.

[@MonsterGuitars]

Howard is a great vocalist. You can clearly hear in this performance - especially when he's talking at the start - that there's a distortion effect applied to his voice.

[@gypsydal]

This song makes me cry every time I hear it live ❤ such an emotionally intense song

[@GaryGoRound-to7ld]

Kilswitch Engage is a band that stand above all else in the genre ...and Howard's voice is epic. The last few with Jesse have been great as well...Atonement is a great album

[@MrFortyanight]

I wasn't so sure at first with Jesse but he's killing it !

[@GaryGoRound-to7ld]

@@MrFortyanight his voice has gotten better with age

[@AJafterhourz]

Anyone who is a fan of this album or just killswitch in general, check out a band called Unearth and their album The Oncoming Storm! Amazing!

[@GlassJAw413]

I think Jesse was the original singer for Killswitch Engage and left to become a minister and came back after Howard left the group. The guy running around in the cape is Adam Dutkiewicz who went to Berklee College of Music for bass guitar and audio production and is a pretty big producer in the metal world.

[@omegashinra7672]

This song was/is a JUGGERNAUT of a track in metal music. When I was growing up and Killswitch were at their height, this track was their peak. It's still SO good and one of the absolute pinnacle tracks of metalcore.

[@packetcreeper]

Been listening to Killswitch Engage for a few years now and I love both Howard and Jesse as lead singers. This band is so underrated.

[@ZekeNigma]

I highly recommend you check out "My Last Serenade" for your introduction to Jesse Leach's side of KSE. It has a similar vibe to this one, but also fairly different, and it's also one of their most iconic songs alongside this one.

[@Tomcat088]

I really enjoyed your reaction to this video. I love how you said it’s a little out of the norm in terms of what you like and the screaming. You really appreciated everything about this performance. The music, stage presence, crowd response, and just the entire thing as a whole and not just “screaming”. I also love the musical analysis and you talking about seeking transcendence.

[@ericolson326]

There's a brief shot in this concert where Howard has his fist raised and one guy in the camera foreground mirrors him and the music fits the moment so well that sometimes i randomly remember it and get something in my eye, stupid dust.

[@BigHomieSteveTheMetalHead]

Soo glad you went with the live version instead of the music video, it's always a let down when reaction channels react to music videos that have been shortened from the studio version. "My Curse" is another fantastic song from Killswitch Engage that would be great to check out, Howard Jones era Killswitch Engage is the best era imo. Great video Doug! 🤘🤘🤙🤙

[@stevegundaker]

Been a KSE fan since the early 00’s. I appreciate your reaction/review.

[@DjDiDAS]

Im SO glad you used THIS version of this song! Its EPIC!

[@bobthebear1246]

Also definitely do the video/single version, which is only a little bit shorter (4:05), and it features all clean singing lead vocals, with some of his screamed vocals put into the background. It was the introduction to this incredible song and amazing band that we all had back in 2004. You will absolutely love that version and it is among my Top 50 favorite songs of all-time. It is absolutely perfect.

[@UrbanSkyProject]

Met them and seen them on tour shortly after this album was released. Unbelievable band, "When darkness falls" is where it's at, would have loved to have seen your face reacting to that lol

[@marcomillul4082]

One of my favourite songs from KSE, great to see it here on the channel! Howard Jones is a great singer, and KSE has years and years of amazing songs and riffs under their...strings!

[@Acheron666]

There’s a UK band called “Boomin” who covered this song and the Rose of Sharon…..I highly recommend both covers.

[@timmiller2913]

Totally recommend their other vocalist as well. Killswitch is great

[@adam45z]

Thanks for still doing metal Monday 😊 love ya work Doug 🤟

[@zachbailey5260]

"I'd do what he asks." LOL amazing

[@metallyfan2k7]

This is an excellent rabbit hole to go down!

[@TheDeadStretch]

Killswitch Engage's live show is 100% all about the call and response on lyrics! They are so amazing live. Side Note: Howard has some GREAT more recent music he did with KZbin star Jared Dines called SION. Inside the Hollow is a cool song.

[@slyzombie6166]

His other band Light the Torch is really good too. He's just an amazing vocalist.

[@Psychograce93]

As is the case with any other band, so much to go through. Killswitch was one of those bands that I first listened to when I just began to dig my teeth into the heavier side of metal, coming from something like metallica. Also, Adam Dutkiewicz is an absolute sweetheart and has some amazing pipes.

[@gregzerby7168]

Howard Jones is all I needed to hear!!!!...if your impressed with vocals and use of the voice instrument then you need to give Floor Jansen in the band Nightwish a listen to

[@willowtatus6159]

Howard does a beautiful job of balancing clean and harsh vocal to create color.

[@joshlovesskillet]

That was a different reaction experience for me as I'm sure this was a very different genre for you. I liked it. It's cool that you research the music and band and that you incorporate your musical knowledge.

[@rainbowraver666]

so glad to see you do a KSE track!! I would HIGHLY recommend the signal fire next, it has both vocalists and their interactions in the video are just so sweet 🥺❤

[@13strong]

Have you heard English band Rolo Tomassi? Lots of interesting rhythms, time signatures, vocal changes and instrumentation. Would love to know what you think.

[@ภัทรียาบุญชื่น-ษ3ฦ]

That was an awesome review Doug, as always. Thank you. Would love it if you could review Rose of Sharyn or In Due Time by Killswitch Engage also. Rose of Sharyn in particular is a brutally hard yet melodic tune about the death of Howard's mother.

[@danjackson1016]

I love killswitch. For ages i thought they were just another metal core band then I looked through their catalogue and every other song is an absolute banger.

[@tristan8823]

It's crazy how good his screams sound live. A little like Randy Blythe.,

[@rickosborne6521]

Such an amazing album and incredible live performances from Howard. I'm so glad I've been able to see KSE with both Howard and Jesse as vocalist. They both are so good while being so different.

[@linkus7918]

Thanks for reminding me of this awesome song. I had forgotten all about it, and I look forward to putting it into my listening rotation once again.

[@INKI_teh_Rogue]

Killswitch Engage is absolute metal perfection & I love these gentlemen for all they've created. 💔 ☠️ 🤘

[@briansf7012]

OMG Dave, If this is your 1st time hearing this band. You're in for a treat.

[@Szerspliexiust]

(dave?)

[@briansf7012]

@@Szerspliexiust I meant Doug. Whoops🥴

[@Szerspliexiust]

@@briansf7012 I'm sure there's a Dave in the comments that needed the reassurance of quality, so it works out

[@mavmarkproductions2473]

Doug, I recommend you check out Mellissa Cross. She was the vocal coach for all these metal vocalists back in the day, and even still today. She is awesome! I think you will appreciate her quite a bit.

[@mlwsf]

What? No, King's X? Hell, any of dUg's side projects even. Then there are Bad Brains and Fishbone, who may have been more adopted by the Punk Rockers but still.

[@sylph4721]

Loved King's X in the 90s so much!

[@mikebrant4615]

definitley agree Doug and King's X definitely lots of great stuff. maybe next week? there is always hoping.

[@mikebrant4615]

@@sylph4721 they still going. just realeased an album last fall

[@AesirBerserkr]

You were talking about a vocal coach briefly and it returns to my memory the name of a Metal Vocal coach that is probably the biggest teacher of metal vocals that I know of names Melissa Cross

[@AesirBerserkr]

Also funny enough Jesse was the Original Singer

[@jasonmcmillan6598]

Love your reaction! This video is from an amazing performance. first of all, Howard is an amazing vocalist. He also has a great stage presence. The song is well written and composed. The band is on point this night. The band and especially Howard engage the crowd. There is a "unity "between the stage and crowd! It makes for a heck of show. This song was written as a metal core power song, but if one reads and understands the lyrics- it could have been a ballad. Check out some softer covers of the song. the softer versions work.

[@FlashheadX]

When you mentioned the Grammy nomination I couldn't help but wondering that you still haven't reacted to Ghost. By far one of the most interesting metal bands from recent years and they won a Grammy with their song "Cirice"

[@rad.reiley]

I just commented on another video about Ghost haha

[@anthonyem1989]

"that lifted me out my chair a bit yall" lololol sub'd

[@williamhenault2761]

Great reaction video to Killswitch Engage! They are one of the first bands that I got to see live and experience the mosh pit 😀

[@firdauszainudin7118]

The As Daylight Dies needs the whole album review. All songs are killer songs, the best album of KsE & one of the best album in the metalcore history.

[@craiglindecamp9589]

Love early killswitch, this album and the one prior “alive or just breathing”. The song my last serenade would be wonderful for the channel

[@s.ann.m]

I saw them in 2005, drove all day to see them open up for Soilwork that evening. We got to meet Bjorn. Killswitch was awesome and the guy with the booty shorts and boxers hanging out was wearing the same outfit the night I saw them.

[@mikedelisle6419]

KSE right in my backyard, one of my favorites, so glad you picked the Set This World Ablaze performance

[@andarchy1386]

This song is a banger wtg Doug!!!

[@sylph4721]

I blame Mike Patton a wee bit! Exciting!

[@ericolson326]

Big ups to the way Adam D fills out the vocal sound with cleans and screams of his own.

[@andyg264]

Such a talented guy. 2 albums under his belt with KSE and he takes over lead guitar and is an absolute monster, adds so much to the vocals as you say with both cleans and screams, plus as a producer was responsible for first 2 Parkway Drive albums. Impressive guy!

[@mercyfulnate]

The way this album and DVD changed my life when I was twelve years old. There are actually vocal techniques where you can do harsh vocals without hurting your voice. But certainly possible to do it wrong and harm yourself.

[@ifonlyone5645]

It’s about Jesus! For comfort, for solace, for the end of my broken heart! Surrender to him!

[@I_Dont_Like_Sand]

Melissa Cross teaches screaming for a lot of the big name screamers. She also has a course for it called The Zen Of Screaming

[@frankwantasy6755]

I've been waiting....... For Killswitch, thanks Doug.

[@TUUK2006]

Ironically, their drummer is also an orchestral drummer. It's why he keeps himself all nice and trim in the looks department. Nicest guy ever too.

[@thoos192]

"Beast in black - Blind and frozen" next please =)

[@brucecooley70]

Several friends of mine were at this show. This was at The Worcester Palladium in MA so a hometown show of sorts. That's a big reason why the crowd was so good. Also the show was only 20 bucks! While I unfortunately missed this show, I was able to see them many times considering I'm from the same area and saw them in bars.Always amazing shows.

[@foxracer1703]

Thank you I coiling remember if it was the centrum or not

[@edpeevler476]

Still one of the best concerts I have ever been to. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE RULES

[@FooMantis]

Might I recommend All That Remains - Divine? It's their first new music in six year with a new lineup, and their singer @philthatremains was in the same group of folks like Killswitch, As I Lay Dying, etc. that pioneered early Metalcore. Not to mention Jason Richardson (their new guitarist) is just a monster on that thing.

[@Celtsfan1988]

I love this album and I went to Hampton Beach NH and Jesse did this song on his own we were floored when Howard came out from backstage to do the signal fire

[@TheDrogich]

I'm still waiting for you to do something more from more newer metal bands in the same vain as Killswitch Engage. It would be very interesting for you to react to some epic songs like "Shogun" from Trivium, it's kind of a longer song for this kind of bands at almost 12 minute lenght

[@ajplaysdrums]

I was at this show and it was an absolute rager. Killswitch at the Worcester Palladium is always a 11/10 experience.

[@R4Y2k]

One of the best damn live DVDs ever made.

[@ericolson326]

Oh! Check out "3 Dimensional Aperture" or "Spiraling into Depression" by Into Eternity. More intense than your usual fare (though still melodic), but they had 3 or 4 vocalists in the band at the time (2004) and man did they make the most of it.

[@matthewgoodA1206]

I knew about Howard Jones’ exit from Killswitch Engage, having encountered an article online and read that. It detailed the health issues Howard has faced in life, especially his diabetes- it was noted he once lapsed into a diabetic coma. So obviously his condition is a serious deal. And yet I saw people calling him a “coward” online for splitting like he did. I thought that was unwarranted and that they likely had zero clue as to his legit health issues.

[@Precisionmetalheadx]

@Doug Helvering Something that really isn't talked about is that this song was nominated for a Grammy in 2005 only to lose to a Metallica song. Metalcore has not had anything this popular besides more recently Motionless in White's "Masterpiece" So this song speaks to a generation of Metal listeners and brought a lot of people into the heavier genres of metal.

[@ILLRICARDO]

Adams voice is just amazing.

[@based1669]

Doug....KSE is THEM. HOWARD IS HIM. Check out the songs with Jesse as well. Incredible band.

[@ctamc]

Doug for insight. its believed to be a conversation with god and being lost and separated from a spiritual falling out. Hence depression and anger and sadness. Also i found an acoustic cover sounds amazing.

[@deadpoolsnipes537]

Checkout Seven Dust!!!! Howard Jones is a Icon is the Metal Movement and He has his own band now Light the Torch plus He has done many collaborations with ONI and other bands!!! Jesse is the Original Lead Vocalist before Howard Jones!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🤘🤘🤘🤘😁🇺🇸

[@Criz_KRinGLe]

"I Am Broken Too" is a great song to hear Jesse sing. I personally think this is Jesse's "End of Heartache" if that makes sense. Coincidentally, I just finished buying some KSE merch and then saw your vid on my home screen lol

[@MrFortyanight]

My favorite album ever! Howard is an amazing vocalist!

[@stewybot]

Speaking of Mr Bungle... Next weird Wednesday?

[@markwilburn4962]

Sevendust would be a great pick

[@willtubarao]

KSE is awesome and this reaction was spot on. i love it.

[@twowheels808]

Saw them live in 2006 and broke my ankle in the pit. Good times!

[@VoidDragon82]

We have, what could possibly be termed “alpha” music, talking about love and broken hearts. Any yet we have self described “influencers” saying that guys should be hard and ruthless. I know exactly who I would listen to; it’s the ones showing emotion, empathy and weakness.

[@JBLProject]

I've got at tip for you. Imagine a Swedish jazz pianist makes a record in the 60ies where he combines jazz and Swedish folkmusik. It's not as strange as one may think, actually rather beautiful. Jan Johansson - Visa från Utanmyra (Song from Utanmyra) from the album Jazz på Svenska (Jazz in Swedish) from 1964. It's an instrumental song. It's the best selling jazz album in Sweden. It would be fun watching a reaction video of this... Cheers

[@Acre00]

If you're having trouble finding metal bands with black members, check out "Zeal and Ardor" and "Oceans of Slumber" Zeal and Ardor combine black metal with elements of old slave songs. Not something that's your style but also something that fits black history month perfectly. I'd recommend the title track off their first album, Devil is Fine. Oceans of Slumber is a more doom metal, having a kind of subdued southern gothic vibe. Their vocalist, Cammie Gilbert, has one of, if not the, best voices in metal. I'd recommend the song Sunlight off the album Winter, but any song off that album would be a great pick. They also have a great cover of Nights in White Satin if you wanted to do a comparison video like you did with Hocus Pocus

[@megrimlockking8371]

This album was great.. I played it for months.. I'm glad I got to see Howard perform this song.. also, may I suggest sevendust as a great metal band with an awesome black lead singer?? They're really good as well..

[@psyrik]

You have now covered all 3 of my favorite bands! Dream Theater, Periphery, and now Killswitch! You should totally check out a song with Jesse, their other singer as well, both of the guys are fantastic

[@843Core]

Doug has done Periphery? I can’t find it if he did