A View From The Back Of The Room: Killswitch Engage (Alex Tobias)

Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Fit For An Autopsy & Decapitated, The Depot, Cardiff 12.10.25

Before I get going on the review just a quick mention on the venue, it was my first time at The Depot in Cardiff, from what I saw online it looked like a decent size and looked impressive, when you actually walk into it for the first time it blew me away at how better it looks in person. 

The main stage or hall area is a lot bigger than you expect and the other areas and facilities are great, staff were really friendly and helpful, quick shout out to the security on the night also, very professional and took time and care of everyone there.

Lets get to it then, I have seen and reviewed Decapitated (7) recently in Swansea so I wont go into major detail but lets just say they did not disappoint once again. The crowed was pretty much full way before they walked to the stage to a huge applause and screams, we kick straight into there set. 

We get the best of Decapitated here, pure energy and sweat from vocalist Eemeli Bodde, he does not miss a beat as we get great songs like Earth Star and Cancer Culture. I always try to gage reactions from the audience to bands when making comments on performances and this crowed in Cardiff tonight loved the set from Decapitated and were chanting for more when it was over. 

Seeing them here and in a smaller venue in the space of a few months they did not disappoint in either setting.

My first time seeing Fit For An Autopsy (7), never really gave them a go before either so I was looking forward to seeing them, its always good to see a band live first that you have not really heard or experienced. I have got into many bands based on a live performance that I have randomly seen before and this was one of those occasions. 

The lights go out and the band slowly and fairly laid back walk to the stage is not an indication of what's about to unfold in your eye and ear holes that's for sure, the crowed you can certainly hear is very much up for this, loudest reactions yet of the night and from song one we have pits of all shapes starting in three different locations. 

We suddenly get a stop during the second song that no one was expecting when vocalist Joe Badolato directs the band to stop as he can clearly see someone has gone down in one of the pits and people are waving, he stops all sound from stage and talks calmly to see if anyone needs help and shows security where the incident is, a great gesture and care by the whole band, they skip the rest of the second song and go onto the next only when we have the ok that the person is fully out and taken care of. 

We get a performance of their latest release It Comes For You which on first listen here is a complete wall of metalness smacking your face, like some band in the 90s said, A Ten Ton Hammer. Great performance all round, they seemed really humble and thankful for being a part of the tour and to be playing with these other "amazing bands" guitarist Pat Sheridan said before the last song of there set. 

Have checked them out more and am currently going through albums to catch up, would definitely want to see them again and so should you.

I have seen Hatebreed (7) six times before, mainly at festivals but the last time I would say was a good fifteen years ago, so this was not only a nostalgia trip but also a good chance to see the difference a decade and a half does to a bands live performance that I always enjoyed previously. 

Before they take to the stage the crew bring on the side stands with there logo on, the huge inflatable backdrop and extra crew are side stage starting to blow up the now iconic Hatebreed ball of death. 

Loud roars and cheers erupt as the band walk to the stage and we are underway straight into arguably the bands biggest release I Will Be Heard, its been a long time since I have seen a big majority of a crowed not stood around with phones in the air and actually just in the moment, did make me think of the last time I had seen Hatebreed all those years ago, just metal fans pitting and enjoying the moment. 

We go straight into two more songs and the band don't let up with air burst smoke pyro at the front of the stage complimenting every huge half time crescendo and vocalist Jamey Jasta pumping up the crowed with every scream he pushes out. 

A little break before we are back to it with more classics one after another Destroy Everything and Perseverance hit us all with everyone chanting back at the band, they certainly have not lost that connection with there audiences over the years that's for sure. The time has come for the ball of death, its punched into the pits that have been circling for it seems like hours at this point, got to give it to this Cardiff crowed they have not let up all night. 

The ball gets spun and bounced about for a while before being crashed back onto the stage and almost taking out guitarist Wayne Lozinak. Hatebreed end the set with Looking Down The Barrel Of Today from there 2016 album The Concrete Confessional and what an ending it is, not a single drop in energy or fun was made by band or crowed by this point, making my mind up for me that Hatebreed have not lost a step at all in all these years of not seeing them.

Dust off your three quarter lengths and chains and go see them again or for the first time you wont regret it.

Did anyone say metalcore legends? because that's what is walking on to the stage right now, drummer Justin Foley walks on first to the biggest roars of the night followed by fellow band members bass player Michael D'Antonio and guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, we get straight into it with vocalist Jessie Leach taking the stage and screaming lets go Cardiff. 

Similar situation with Hatebreed, I have seen Killswitch Engage (8) around five times before but not for many years, the last being with former singer Howard Jones, so this was bliss for me to hear not only great songs like Signal Fire and new songs from there latest album release This Consequence but we get Classic songs from the Howard period like The End Of Heartache and Rose Of Sharyn. 

Speaking of the former the new songs go down just as well with this Cardiff crowed as the classics, Abandon Us and I Believe go down great and we get a break before Jessie explains the inspiration for writing the lyrics for another new song from the bands latest album called Broken Glass, this is written for all the people who are abusers in anyway, a great moment with this crowed and a connection that all present I think really appreciated and loved. 

Not only is the sound spot on the stage, lights and stage presence is very professional but with a real ease from the band especially Guitarist Adam who is his usual smiling and bouncing best during and between songs. There is no let up on the audience side of things either with the intensity and frequency of crowed surfers and pits getting more and more throughout the set. 

Then we get to arguably the song that put the band on the map in the metal world My Last Serenade which causes an eruption of noise from the audience. A flawless performance all round by every member, Killswitch really are one of the most fun and great performing bands you could ever want in your metal concerts and to top the whole night off we get what Metal Hammer said recently is the metal millennials anthem "My Curse" which I couldn't agree more with, it really did feel like every singe person there was singing every single word, belting it out for full passion and heart. What a gig and what a performance, no one gets a ten from me as that is the rarest score and you have to literally blow my socks off to get a nine so trust me when I say a eight is a superb set by true, that word again, legends of the metal world.