The First Metal Show at The Pinnacle Deserved No Less Than Killswitch Engage
It was one of those bitter March nights, the kind where the wind feels like it’s actively trying to kill you. But when Killswitch Engage rolls into town, you show up. No matter the weather. No excuses.
This is their first North American headlining tour in three years, and they handpicked an all-Texas lineup to set the stage: Frozen Soul, Fit for a King, and Kublai Khan TX—each one bringing their own brand of heavy to the mix.
I had never been to The Pinnacle before. It’s a brand-new venue, only three shows in, and this was their first metal show. What better way to baptize the space than with Killswitch Engage, one of our time’s most important metal bands? Walking up to the building, I could already hear the rumble of anticipation from inside. Metalheads were everywhere—lined up at merch, chugging beers, stretching their necks because, let’s be real, a whiplash-worthy night was ahead.
Before we get to the madness, let’s talk about who made this night a warzone.
Frozen Soul – Old-School Death Metal Brutality
These guys play death metal like it’s meant to be played—cold, relentless, and heavy as hell. Glacial Domination (2023) set the tone for their set—no gimmicks, just pure destruction.
Fit For a King – Metalcore Titans
They’ve been around for a minute, but they just keep getting better. The Hell We Create (2022) showed they can balance melody and chaos perfectly, and they proved it on stage.
Kublai Khan TX – The Heaviest Texas Beatdown You’ll Ever See
Texas hardcore at its most savage. These guys have been building a reputation for crushing, no-frills breakdowns and vocals that hit like a hammer to the ribs. Their latest album, Exhibition Of Prowess, proves they are here to dominate. They bring the kind of energy that makes you want to destroy everything in sight—and then thank them for it.
Killswitch Engage – Do I even need to explain?
One of the most important metalcore bands of all time. The architects of the genre. Alive or Just Breathing changed everything. The End of Heartache went gold. They keep evolving without losing what makes them KSE. I’ve seen them three times now, and I’d see them three hundred more.
Killswitch Engage is the reason I became a concert photographer. There’s something about documenting the chaos, the emotion, the sweat, the crowd surfers risking their spinal cords for the love of metal—it’s addicting.
The first time I saw Killswitch Engage was at Marathon Music Works when they were touring with Anthrax. That night changed everything for me—not just because the show was insane, but because I walked out of that venue knowing one thing:
“I have to be a concert photographer.”
When they returned with Parkway Drive, I was no longer just a fan—I was an approved photographer, covering the band that had inspired me to pick up a camera in the first place. It was Unreal!
Now, here I am again. Different venue, and a different setlist, same undeniable feeling that this band is still one of the best to ever do it.
I missed Frozen Soul, I walked in just as Fit For A King took the stage.
Their stage setup was minimal—just a red backdrop with the band’s name—but the music spoke for itself. They didn’t ease into anything. The pit opened up as soon as they started, and the crowd went all in.
The energy kept building, and by the time they hit “When Everything Means Nothing” and “God of Fire”, the place was electric. The band demanded movement, and the audience responded—fists in the air, crowd surfers flying. The entire room felt alive.
An all-Texas lineup meant things were only going to get heavier, and Kublai Khan TX showed up like a wrecking ball.
Vocalist Matt Honeycutt stepped out in a white sleeveless shirt and hat, commanding the stage like a warlord. When he called for the pit to open, a swarm of people dressed as bananas (yes, you read that right) obeyed—immediately throwing themselves into the chaos.
Every breakdown felt like a body slam. Honeycutt was pounding his chest in time with the bass and drums, hyping the crowd up until the entire venue was shaking. No fancy stage effects. Just power.
Killswitch Engage: Metalcore at Its Absolute Best
Before the first song had fully kicked in, Jesse Leach was already off the stage, gripping the rails and throwing himself into the crowd. Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel ripped through riffs with effortless precision, while Mike D’Antonio’s bass and Justin Foley’s drumming made every breakdown hit harder. The band’s chemistry was on full display, tight, aggressive, and completely in sync.
The stage design was simple but effective—lights flashing to every breakdown. Screens showcasing visuals that matched the intensity. Mid-set, Leach crushed a beer, a signature move that sent the crowd into a frenzy. There wasn’t much talk, just enough to acknowledge the fans and keep the momentum rolling.
Killswitch mixed fan favorites like “My Last Serenade”, “The End of Heartache”, and “My Curse” with new material from This Consequence, proving their fire hasn’t faded. The crowd erupted for “Forever Aligned” and “Collusion”, embracing the new tracks like they’d been part of the catalog for years.
A fan in a wheelchair went crowd surfing. The chair and its owner ended up in two different parts of the pit, both carried by the sheer force of the crowd. It was metal in its purest form—chaotic, exhilarating, and communal.
The Pinnacle had officially hosted its first metal show, and Killswitch Engage made sure it was one to remember. If this tour is coming to your city, don’t miss it.
Get your tickets here Shop Killswitch Engage merch
See you in the pit.
