LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE AT THE OVO ARENA WEMBLEY, LONDON 17/10/25
“We are a bunch of drunk bitches called Killswitch Engage." As an introduction to the legendary quintet it severely simplified the legacy of one of metalcore's most influential modern, and importantly still active bands after 26 years.
Joined by a battalion of huge supports, Wembley Arena was treated to an evening of brutal riffs, heavy drops and near constant headbanging.
Polish veterans Decapitated were first onto the stage, focused on the mission from the beginning: “We have one job and that is to destroy, but to destroy, you guys need to destroy with us.” A somewhat contradictory call for unity was met with an obliging crowd although potentially not immediately hyped up enough to execute any real destruction early on.
"This is our very first time here. Holy shit this place is amazing" Joe Badolato marvelled. The progressive Fit for an Autopsy came complete with their own sect of fans, the room filling significantly for the New Jersey Deathcore outfit.
"Open that circle pit bigger, this is a new one" Badolato commanded for 'It Comes For You', the first new musical release from the band in almost exactly a year since the album 'The Nothing That Is'. 'Savior of None / Ashes of All' from the aforementioned is one of the highlights of the set, taking the energy in the arena up a whole level.
'I Was Made For Lovin' You’ by Kiss was the walk on song for Hatebreed, under the red glowing eyes of a huge devil idol. Hatebreed, another enduring, legendary band in their own right receiving a deafening welcome from the crowd. This, a night that felt less like a headliner with three supports, and more a line up of giants coming together for a demonstration of how to rock the fuck out.
"Everyone leaves with no voice left" was the promise/request from Jamey Jasta launching into an 11 song journey with representation from all eras of the band's three decade career.
"This guy just survived a brain tumor!" Jasta announced, recognising guitarist Wayne Lozinak's recent diagnosis, surgery and recovery, all within the 4 months since the band's appearance at Download Festival. Lozinak only having just returned to perform with the band at the beginning of October, a truly astonishingly speedy journey back to action.
'Empty Promises' from 1997's Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire was the throwback track OG fans were waiting for right through to newly released 'Make the Demons Obey' saw the Connecticut natives storm through a well-rounded and crowd-pleasing set.
Killswitch Engage certainly gave themselves a challenge in following that trio of hardcore heavyweights, but set out to prove - you ain't seen nothing yet. Beneath the glow of the massive LED screen, showcasing music videos, logos of bygone eras, memorising graphics and lyrics to scream along to, the Massachusetts metalcore masters delivered a show equal to their enormous status.
From the opening notes of 'Strength of the Mind' Wembley Arena lost its collective mind with mosh pits opening up almost immediately. Although this show wasn't a sell out, it was a great demonstration of how quality over quantity can be true of concert attendees, the room never felt too big for the show, Killswitch Engage more than capable of filling it in terms of energy if not with bums on seats.
Thrashing through the set we arrived at 'Broken Glass' which followed a warning by singer Jesse Leach to any abusers that may be in the room. Killswitch's social conscious and moral compass on full display. 'Forever Aligned' came accompanied by the music video and lyrics on the screen, a more contemporary track from 2025 album This Consequence, a sanguine and heartening part of the set, although far from the only song influenced by positivity. ‘The Signal Fire’, although heavier, also a song about unity and love.
Heading to the end of the set, the anticipation for the most quintessential tracks was sated with the inevitable finale of 'My Curse', 'The End of Heartbreak' and genre defining 'My Last Serenade', drawing the night to a close with the awesome sounds of a heartfelt yet guttural singalong.
Words by Imogen Bird
Photos by Florelle Servageon
Full setlist below:
Strength of the Mind
Rose of Sharyn
Reckoning
Aftermath
Numbered Days
This Is Absolution
No End in Sight
Broken Glass
Hate by Design
Forever Aligned
The Signal Fire
I Believe
The Arms of Sorrow
In Due Time
This Fire
My Curse
The End of Heartache
My Last Serenade