Killswitch Engage
All Photos by Mezgarth for Full Access Media Group
Story by Kevin Deters for Full Access Media Group
Havok opened the show. I had seen them once before in 2018 at The Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee with Killswitch Engage and Anthrax, but I had sort of forgotten about them. Any fans of American thrash metal would really dig this band. They reminded me a lot of the band Exodus. They absolutely killed it.
Havoc
Havoc
IRON REAGAN played next. They are sort of a mix of thrash and hardcore punk. Musically they reminded me of Municipal Waste. Then I came to find out that their frontman is from Municipal Waste as well.
Iron Reagan
Iron Reagan
Machine Head hit the stage next. They switched up their intro song for the first time in many years. Instead of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Diary of a Madman,” they walked on stage following “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. A few minutes into the opening song “Imperium,” Robb gave a shout out to the banana man who was crowd surfing. That was the first of many banana man recognitions throughout the set. An absolute must-hear song at a Machine Head show is “Ten Ton Hammer.” During “Locust” the audience was clapping along, and the band had a really cool green light and video presentation. “Bonescraper was a highlight for me. That song has catchy vocals. Before playing “From This Day” they said they would take it back to 1999. They ended with “Davidian,” which is somewhat of an anthem for the band. That song had everyone head banging and pumping their fists. I already cannot wait to see Machine Head again.
Machine Head
Machine Head
Killswitch Engage took the stage at 9:30. Almost immediately during the opening song, Jesse went into the crowd so they could sing with him. Speaking of singing, I will never get tired of hearing the entire audience sing along to “The End of Heartache.” I would wager the band never gets tired of that, either. “Hate By Design” is on my short list of favorite Killswitch Engage tunes. I love the vocals on “Forever Aligned.” Before playing “Vide Infra,” they said it was a song about unity. They went way back into their catalog for that particular number. That was such a pleasant surprise. They said they don’t play “Daylight Dies” very often. That’s true. I probably haven’t heard that song live since about 2008. Before “My Curse,” Jesse asked the audience to put their phones away and head bang with them. Most of the people abided. The last song of the evening was “My Last Serenade.” Their set ended just like it started, with Jesse in the crowd to sing along with the fans. It is difficult to describe how happy I was after this show. I was smiling the whole way home. That is what a great night of live music can do for you. Killswitch Engage and Machine Head are touring together through the fall. This was the first date of a tour that is doing two legs in the USA with a Canadian run in the middle. Do yourself a favor and go to this tour if you can.
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE SETLIST
Fixation on the Darkness
In Due Time
The End of Heartache
Aftermath
Rose of Sheryn
This is Absolution
Broken Glass
Hate By Design
Forever Aligned
Vide Infra
The Signal Fire
I Believe
Daylight Dies
Strength of the Mind
My Curse
This Fire
My Last Serenade
MACHINE HEAD SETLIST
Imperium
Ten Ton Hammer
Choke on the Ashes of Your Hate
Outsider
Locust
Bonescraper
From This Day
Davidian
All Photos by Mezgarth for Full Access Detroit
Story by Kevin Deters for Full Access Detroit
https://www.killswitchengage.com
