Mike D'Antonio (bass) & Adam Dutkiewicz (drums) start collaborating on new music after their prior bands Overcast & Aftershock weren’t working out. Soon after they recruit Aftershock guitarist Joel Stroetzel and the three of them record a demo to find a singer. During the process the band name originates from The X Files episode, "Kill Switch” and the first band logo is created. A few months later Jesse leach (vocals) is recruited to the project after his prior bands Corrin & Nothing Stays Gold disbanded (Summer & Fall-1999)

First Band Photoshoot (fall 1999)

First Killswitch Engage live show takes place Upstairs at The Palladium in Worcester, MA opening for In Flames, Moonspell and Shadows Fall (Nov 18, 1999). The band’s first recorded demo is released at the show and features four tracks including “Soilborn”, the first song the band ever wrote. All four songs would eventually end up on their debut album.

Some early live shots of the band (2000). A few of these photos include ex-Overcast guitarist Pete Cortese who joined Killswitch Engage for a brief time in 2000 and 2001

First New England Metal & Hardcore Fest appearance in Worcester, MA (Feb-12, 2000)

First Hellfest appearance in Syracuse, NY (July 1, 2000)

Debut album, Killswitch Engage is released via Ferret Music (July 4, 2000). The album is recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, MA.

Back again at New England Metal & Hardcore Fest (April 13, 2001)

Flyers from Summer 2001 shows (June thru Aug 2001)

Last group photoshoot as a 4-piece (October 2001)

Adam moves from drums to guitar, which leads to recruiting Tom Gomes to takeover touring drum duties (November 2001)

“My Last Serenade” Video Shoot, the first video released from Alive Or Just Breathing. The video was directed by P.R. Brown (early May 2002)

Alive or Just Breathing is released (May 21, 2002), the first of many via Roadrunner Records. Produced by Adam Dutkiewicz, the album is met with widespread critical acclaim.

First nationwide tour supporting Soilwork & Hypocrisy. Jesse Leach eventually calls it quits near end of the tour citing various personal reasons (May & June, 2002)

After holding several vocalist auditions, Howard Jones is chosen as the new lead singer for Killswitch Engage. The guys knew of Howard since their prior bands often played shows with Howard’s prior band Blood Has Been Shed. (early July 2002)

Howard’s first show takes place at Hellfest in Syracuse, NY (July 12, 2002)

First Killswitch Engage European Tour is Road Rage Tour with 36 Crazyfists and Five Point O (Oct & Nov 2002)

First Killswitch Engage performance in Japan at Beast Feast Festival in Tokyo (December 2002)

First Killswitch Engage Japan Tour co-headlining with Shadows Fall (Feb 2003)

First appearance on US Ozzfest Tour. Killswitch Engage was one of the many rotating bands on the second stage (Summer 2003)

Justin Foley joins Killswitch Engage as the new drummer. Howard helps recruit Justin since they were previously in Blood Has Been Shed together (September 2003)

Justin’s first tour is the MTV2 Headbangers Ball Tour which features the rotating headliners Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God and Shadows Fall (Oct thru Dec 2003)

Killswitch Engage tour Australia for the first time supporting Anthrax (April 2004)

The End of Heartache is released, the first Killswitch Engage album featuring Howard Jones (May 11, 2004). Bassist Mike D’Antonio handled album artwork duties which features two red hands holding a heart filled with nails. Jesse Leach has guest vocals on the track “Take This Oath”. The album would eventually be certified Gold in the US

Jagermeister tour in the US supporting Slayer (Oct-Dec 2004).

Killswitch Engage attend the 47th Grammy Awards (February 13, 2005) after album title track “The End of Heartache,” is nominated for best metal performance

Inaugural Taste of Chaos Tour with My Chemical Romance & The Used (Feb thru Apr 2005)

First of many Download UK festivals (Jun-12, 2005). Shared the main stage with System of a Down, Slipknot and Slayer. At the time it was by far the largest crowd the band had ever played to.

(Set This) World Ablaze is released as a DVD (November 22, 2005). It features a documentary directed by Denise Korycki that chronicles the band’s beginnings. Also featured is a live concert at the Palladium in Worcester, MA that took place on July 25, 2005. The DVD would eventually be certified gold in the US.

"This Fire Burns" is released as a single on WWE’s Wreckless Intent album (May 23, 2006). The song became the theme song for WWE Judgment Day 2006 pay-per-view and would later become the entrance music for WWE Champion CM Punk.

As Daylight Dies band photo shoot (Fall, 2006)

“My Curse” video is released which features the band performing within the pages of several books (Nov 6, 2006). The video was directed by Lex Halaby.

As Daylight Dies is released (Nov 21, 2006). It would eventually be certified Gold in the US.

Killswitch Engage spend all summer touring the US on the 13th Vans Warped Tour (Summer 2007) along with Coheed And Cambria, Bad Religion and New Found Glory to name a few.

"Holy Diver” video is released and then included on the As Daylight Dies special edition (August 2007). The Dio cover was originally released on the Kerrang! Covermount CD, High Voltage
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Howard leaps into crowd at Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, OH. Adam being Adam. (May 17, 2008)

Crowd participation at Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany (Aug 7, 2008)

Killswitch Engage release second self-titled album, their final album with Howard Jones (Jun 30, 2009) .

As Daylight Dies is certified Gold in US (Jun 30, 2009)

Rockstar Mayhem Tour with Marilyn Manson and Slayer (Aug 5, 2009)

Killswitch Engage tour South America for the first time, including stops in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Equador and Colombia (Oct & Nov 2009)

Taste of Chaos Europe Tour with In Flames (December 2009)

Howard Jones goes on hiatus during a US tour. Phil Labonte of All That Remains fills in on vocals for rest of the tour. Jesse Leach rejoins the band onstage for the encore of the last four shows of the tour, including a few songs where the band plays as the original 4-piece with Adam on drums (March 2010)

Howard Jones' last tour with the band in Europe (July 2010)

Crickets…nothing happened…guys pursued other projects

Announcement that Howard Jones is no longer in the band (Jan 4, 2012)

Tryouts are held in NYC for a new singer. Jesse requests a tryout.(Feb 2, 2012)

A picture of Jesse Leach, alongside the other guys, is uploaded to the band’s website, indicating the former vocalist's return to the band. It is later confirmed via social media (Feb 6, 2012)

Jesse Leach's first official show back with the band since 2002 takes place at the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest (April 22, 2012)

Jesse’s first tour back in the band is a Europe festival tour. It’s by far the biggest crowds that Jesse has ever seen to this point (summer 2012)

Killswitch Engage do an Alive or Just Breathing 10th anniversary tour in the US. To celebrate the milestone, they perform the album in its entirety

Video for lead single “In Due Time” off new album Disarm The Descent is released. This is Jesse’s first video back with the band. The video is directed by Ian McFarland (February 2013)

Disarm The Descent is released (April 2, 2013), the first album with Jesse back in the band. The guys celebrate the album release while on tour in Europe.

US headline tour in support of Disarm The Descent (June 2013)

Lead single, “In Due Time” gets nominated for Best Metal Performance at 56th annual Grammy Awards (November 2013). Other nominees include Dream Theater, Anthrax, Volbeat, and the eventual winner, the mighty Black Sabbath.

First time in South Africa (March 2014)

First Australia headline tour with Jesse (April 2014)

Carolina Rebellion in Charlotte, NC (May 3, 2014)

Best Live Band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London. (June 2014)

Hometown Halloween at Palladium in Worcester, MA (Oct 31, 2014)

Star Wars themed Revolver cover (January 2015)

Adam Dutkiewicz appears and wins big on The Price Is Right (February 10, 2015)

First time in China (April & May 2015)

US Tour supporting Rise Against (July 2015)

Happy Holidays show in Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom (Dec 29, 2015)

NYC Residency…five intimate sold out shows leading to release of Incarnate (early March 2016)

Incarnate is released and debuts at #6 on the Billboard Top 200. (March 11, 2016)

While on tour in Canada, the guys make a stop at Bright Eyes Dog Rescue in Regina, SK. (Aug 28, 2016)

Beyond The Flames: Home Video Vol. 2 is released as a Blu-Ray/CD exclusive (Nov 25, 2016). Directed by Denise Korycki, it features a documentary that picks up where (Set This) World Ablaze left off, including the details of Jesse’s return to the band after a 10 year hiatus.

Alive or Just Breathing 15th Anniversary tour in Australia & New Zealand (March 2017)

Hometown Tiki Party show in Northampton, MA (June 24, 2017)

Europe tour with Iron Maiden (Summer 2018)

Killswitch Engage announce signing with Metal Blade Records (North America) and Columbia/Sony Music Germany (Rest of World) (Jun 4, 2018).

Howard Jones joins band on stage for last two shows of Iron Maiden Europe tour at O2 Arena in London to perform “The End of Heartache” (August 10 & 11, 2018).

Jesse in the studio recording vocals for Atonement with Adam at the helm (Nov 2018).

US Co-headline tour with Parkway Drive (April & May 2019).

Atonement is released (Aug 16, 2019). Produced yet again by guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, it’s the band’s eight studio album and first for Metal Blade Records (North America) / Sony (rest of world).

“The Signal Fire” video, featuring guest vocals by Howard Jones, is released (Aug 20, 2019)

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Tyler Reddick races a stock car adorned with the band logo and Atonement artwork at the Richmond, VA GoBowling 250 (Sep 20, 2019)

Atonement opening track and lead single “Unleashed” gets a nomination for Best Metal Performance at 62th annual Grammy Awards (November 2019)