Killswitch Engage makes El Paso 5th stop on Spring Tour 2025

Tuesday night or not, it made no difference to the 9k plus here in El Paso Texas, as Killswitch Engage invaded the Don Haskins Center on the campus of the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP). As stated, we were the 5th stop on this North American Spring Tour, a much-anticipated tour, the last time they were here, which was at the same venue was back in October of 22 when they were in support of Lamb of God, boy, was that a show!! So, the stage is set for an evening of metal and bedlam, who could ask for more, so let’s go.

Real quick, the boys have been around since 99, punched out 9 releases in 25 years, the most recent is This Consequence in 2025. Here’s what I really like though, the line-up has been the same since 2012, before that, very minimal, other than Howard Jones and Jesse Leach trading places as lead singer, the band has stayed intact, which truth be told, is rare nowadays, in my book, this speaks volumes, good for you guys. Mike D’Antonio, Adam Dutkiewicz, Joel Stroetzel, Jesse Leach and Justin Foley make up this epic metalcore act and one would say, founders of metalcore, if nothing else, top drawer in the world of metal music.

On the evenings card was Frozen Soul, Fit for A King, Kublai Khan Tx and of course our main event, Killswitch Engage. After our 3 warmups, which truly had the crowd worked up into a lather, great job guys, totally kicked ass, Killswitch hit the stage at 9:20, that’s what I love about this venue, always on time. Now either because Killswitch hasn’t toured in over 2 years or because it was the beginning of the tour, but Jesse and company acted as if they were on a mission, a black op mission that was to take no prisoners and this West Texas crowd was in their sights. Between Jesse and Adam, talk about insane energy and Adam in shorty shorts and headband, these guys are top entertainers in their field, and this is all unfolding right in front of me and my cameras, as a music photographer, it doesn’t get any better than that. Killswitch went through an 18-song set list in 90 minutes like a hot knife though butter. Songs like My Curse, In Due Time and of course, the crowd favorite, The End of Heartache had a nonstop circle pit for that hour and a half, you could say, good time were had by all, and one would correct. This tour just started and ends on 12 April in Portland, Maine, I suggest you check those dates and please get your tickets in advance, it makes a huge difference, believe me and of course, we’ll see you at the next rock show.

Story and Photography by Tim Schumann

Set List-

Strength of the Mind

Rose of Sharyn

The Forgotten

Aftermath

Numbered Days

This is Absolution

No End in Sight

Collusion

Hate by Design

Forever Aligned