Metalcore fans in Nashville were treated to an unforgettable night at Nashville’s newest music venue The Pinnacle as Killswitch Engage brought their signature mix of melody and brutality to the stage, joined by a stacked lineup featuring Kublai Khan TX, Fit For A King, and Frozen Soul.
Kicking things off, Frozen Soul set the tone for the night with their crushing, old-school death metal sound. The Texas-based band blasted through a setlist full of bone-chilling riffs and guttural growls, proving why they’re one of the most talked-about rising acts in heavy music. Their performance served as an undeniable statement that sometimes things are bigger in Texas, especially when it comes to brutal metal, which had the crowd headbanging and moshing early, warming up for the chaos to come.
Frozen Soul Photo Gallery
Keeping the momentum high, Fit For A King delivered their signature fusion of punishing heaviness and soaring melodies. Fan favorites like “End (The Other Side)” and “Backbreaker” resonated through the venue, with Ryan Kirby’s dynamic vocals shifting between brutal lows and soaring choruses. Meanwhile, bassist Ryan O’Leary kept the energy sky-high, leaping across the stage and riling up the crowd as the band’s thunderous breakdowns sent shockwaves through the pit.
Fit For A King Photo Gallery
Kublai Khan TX took the stage next, bringing a relentless wave of hardcore aggression and groove-heavy brutality. From the first note, frontman Matt Honeycutt commanded the crowd with an almost warlike presence, pacing the stage with intensity as fists flew and bodies collided in the pit. The band’s set was a nonstop barrage of crushing breakdowns and raw, primal energy, with tracks like “Antpile” and “The Hammer” sending the crowd into a frenzy. Crowd surfers soared over the barricade, including a banana-suit-clad fan adding to the chaos. Kublai Khan TX left Nashville battered but exhilarated, delivering a visceral performance that proved why they’re one of the most punishing acts in modern hardcore.
Kublai Khan TX Photo Gallery
As the lights dimmed and the intro music swelled, anticipation peaked for Killswitch Engage. The instant “Strength of the Mind” erupted, Jesse Leach took to the barricade, embracing fans and singing directly into the sea of raised fists. His vocals were flawless, shifting effortlessly between guttural screams and powerful cleans that sent chills through the crowd. The band tore through a setlist blending classics and newer anthems, from the raw emotion of “Rose of Sharyn” and “My Last Serenade” to the sheer force of “Unleashed” and their latest single, “Collusion.”
Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, as always, was a whirlwind of energy, sprinting across the stage, cracking jokes between songs, and sporting an “I’m With Stupid” T-shirt. His infectious humor only amplified the band’s chemistry, making their performance feel both larger-than-life and deeply personal. Every member was locked in, their connection with the audience undeniable. The night reached its fever pitch as KSE closed with “My Last Serenade,” sending the entire venue into a cathartic explosion of singalongs, moshing, and pure, unfiltered metalcore euphoria.
Killswitch Engage’s opening night of their tour was everything a metal fan could ask for, insane breakdowns, massive mosh pits, and an atmosphere that felt like one big, heavy family gathering. Every band on the bill delivered, and Killswitch Engage proved once again why they are metalcore royalty. If you missed this show, you missed one of the best nights Nashville’s metal scene has seen in a long time.
Killswitch Engage Photo Gallery
