Review & Photos: Killswitch Engage, Machine Head, Rivers Of Nihil, Judiciary in Cleveland, Ohio

By David Desin, OOTB Publications

Killswitch Engage Brings The Fire To Jacobs Pavilion

Killswitch Engage didn’t waste a second getting the party started at Jacobs Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 19.

As headliners, the Massachusetts’ metal veterans delivered exactly what fans came for: crushing riffs, huge vocals, relentless energy, and a crowd that was ready to lose itself in the music.

The evening featured a stacked lineup, with Judiciary and Rivers Of Nihil setting the stage before legendary metal act Machine Head brought their considerable firepower to the bill.

By the time Killswitch Engage took the stage, the anticipation inside Jacobs Pavilion was palpable. Then came the opening notes—and the gloves were off. Killswitch Engage came out swinging, immediately turning the venue into a sea of movement.

Frontman Jesse Leach wasted little time getting directly into the action, even crowd-surfing within the first couple of minutes. It was an early indication that this wasn't going to be a boring concert.

Leach and the band weren't simply playing to the crowd; they were right there in the middle of it. From the opening attack onward, Killswitch Engage maintained a powerful connection with the audience.

The band's combination of melody and aggression translated perfectly to the live setting, with massive guitar riffs cutting through the pavilion while Leach's vocals shifted effortlessly between commanding clean passages and ferocious screams.

There was a sense throughout the performance that the band knew exactly how to control a room. One moment the audience was locked into a massive chorus, and the next it was erupting into a pit of bodies and flying fists. The energy never seemed to let up.

The supporting acts each helped build toward the main event.

Judiciary brought a punishing hardcore edge, while Rivers Of Nihil delivered their progressive take on extreme metal. Machine Head, meanwhile, reminded everyone why they've earned their legendary status, bringing decades of metal experience and an unmistakable stage presence to an already loaded bill.

But, when Killswitch Engage finally took center stage, it was clear that the night belonged to them. What made the performance particularly memorable was the sheer enthusiasm coming from both sides of the barricade.

Leach's early crowd-surf was more than just a cool moment—it set the tone for a show built on interaction, intensity, and a genuine connection between band and audience.

Killswitch Engage put on one great show at Jacobs Pavilion. From the first few minutes to the final moments, they delivered the kind of high-energy performance that reminds you why live metal remains such a powerful experience.

The riffs were massive, the vocals were fierce, and the crowd was all in. If the goal of a headlining show is to leave an audience exhausted, exhilarated, and wanting another song, Killswitch Engage accomplished it in Cleveland.

Jacobs Pavilion got rocked.

Killswitch Engage Setlist

1. Fixation on the Darkness

2. This is AbsolutionTo the Sons of Man

3. The End of Heartache

4. Aftermath

5. A Bid Farewell

6. In Due Time

7. 8. Unleashed

9. Hate by Design

10. Where It Dies

11. Forever Aligned