Building a Solid Heavy Metal Collection: Part 7 of 25

Killswitch Engage's (KSE) Alive or Just Breathing is the most important heavy metal album to come out in the last 10-11 years. Metal was in sad shape at the turn of the century. Of course there were the few crusaders of metal that kept on releasing killer albums, but the main stream metal view was very tainted. Luckily these Bostonians were ready to make heart felt, brutal music that combined New York hardcore and elements of thrash, essentially bringing the metalcore genre to the masses. Alive or Just Breathing wasn't their big break and didn't set any sales records, like later albums, but it was a perfect base. When somebody asks me for a CD to start listening to heavy metal, I recommend this album.

Alive or Just Breathing features the band's original singer Jesse Leach. He was replaced by Howard Jones during the height of their popularity and now Leach has regained his throne as lead singer. Adam Dutkiewicz or Adam D. can be solely responsible for this record's success and the entire band's success. He played every instrument and was integral in the writing process. The label also allowed Adam D. to produce the record as well. Alive or Just Breathing's title reflected the condition of the metal scene in 2002. KSE was a breath of fresh air and really skyrocketed in popularity and made a mark on pop culture. I've seen KSE a number of times and their live show is something to behold. Their energy is off the charts and you can tell they love what they are doing.

Key tracks: No. 2 - Self Revolution, No. 8 - Temple from the Within and No. 10 - Vide Infra.