Massachusetts metalcore legends Killswitch Engage returned home to Roadrunner Boston, delivering a powerful, emotional performance that united fans with special guests Havok, Iron Reagan and Machine Head.
The first band of the evening was American thrash metal band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2004 Havok. As of 2024, their current lineup consists of frontman David Sanchez, drummer Pete Webber, and bassist Nick Schendzielos. They have gone through a number of personnel changes, with each album featuring a different lineup, and leaving Sanchez as the only remaining original member left in the band.
Appearing as part of a stacked metal bill that also featured Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, and Iron Reagan, Havok delivered a blistering set that reminded everyone why they remain one of modern thrash metal’s most respected standard-bearers. The Colorado quartet may not have headlined the evening, but they performed with the urgency and confidence of a band determined to steal the show.
From the moment the opening notes hit, the floor erupted into a sea of headbanging, circle pits, and raised horns. Frontman David Sanchez commanded the stage with a combination of old-school thrash intensity and technical precision, ripping through razor-sharp guitar leads while barking vocals that cut cleanly through the mix.
In an era when many legacy thrash acts dominate festival lineups, Havok continue to prove that the genre’s future remains in capable hands. Their set at Roadrunner was fast, furious, and technically dazzling—a reminder that modern thrash is alive, thriving, and still capable of leveling a room.
The next band of the evening was American crossover thrash supergroup from Richmond, Virginia, Iron Reagan, consisting of Municipal Waste vocalist Tony Foresta, Cannabis Corpse and Municipal Waste bassist Phil “LandPhil” Hall, former A.N.S. guitarist Mark Bronzino, former Darkest Hour drummer Ryan Parrish, and Hellbear bassist Paul Burnette. Since their formation in 2012, they have released three full-length albums, two EPs and three split EPs. Their 2014 album The Tyranny of Will peaked at 22 on the Billboard 200.
The band went on hiatus in 2020 however they announced their return in the October of 2025, featuring their original lineup.
Iron Reagan delivered a whirlwind performance that transformed the venue from a gathering of fans into a full-blown pit before many in attendance had even settled in. The Richmond crossover-thrash outfit was one of four bands on the June 12 bill, but their high-speed assault ensured they wouldn’t be forgotten once the headliners took the stage.
From the moment frontman Tony Foresta appeared, the energy level jumped several notches. Iron Reagan’s music thrives on brevity and intensity, and the band wasted no time unleashing a barrage of rapid-fire songs that blurred the line between hardcore punk and old-school thrash. Rather than relying on elaborate production or extended instrumental showcases, the group leaned into raw aggression, humor, and a relentless pace.
The crowd responded immediately. Circle pits opened early, stage-front fans shouted along to every chorus, and Roadrunner’s spacious floor became a sea of movement. Iron Reagan’s crossover style proved to be the perfect wake-up call for an audience preparing for a long night of heavy music. Their songs hit hard, ended quickly, and were instantly replaced by the next sonic explosion.
Iron Reagan may not have had the longest set of the night, but they arguably delivered the most unfiltered burst of energy. At Roadrunner, they proved that sometimes twenty-odd minutes of controlled chaos can be just as memorable as a headlining performance.
The next band of the evening was American heavy metal band from Oakland, California Machine Head. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn, who remains the only original member of the band. Machine Head’s aggressive musicianship made it one of the pioneering bands in the new wave of American heavy metal. Its current lineup comprises Flynn, bassist Jared MacEachern, drummer Matt Alston and guitarist Reece Scruggs. Bassist Adam Duce, guitarists Logan Mader, Ahrue Luster, Phil Demmel and Wacław Kiełtyka, and drummers Tony Costanza, Chris Kontos and Dave McClain are former members of the band; Mader and Kontos toured with the band in 2019 and 2020 as part of the 25th anniversary tour for its first album, Burn My Eyes (1994)
On a night packed with heavy hitters, Machine Head emerged as the undeniable centerpiece of the evening at Roadrunner in Boston. Sharing the bill with Killswitch Engage, Havok, and Iron Reagan, the Bay Area metal veterans took the stage with the confidence and authority of a band that has spent more than three decades refining its craft. While they occupied the direct-support slot rather than the headlining position, Machine Head performed like a group with nothing left to prove and everything left to conquer.
The moment frontman Robb Flynn stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere shifted. The energy that had been steadily building through the opening acts exploded into something larger. Roadrunner’s expansive floor became a sea of raised fists, flying hair, and deafening singalongs as the band launched into a set packed with crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and relentless groove.
What separates Machine Head from many of their peers is their ability to balance sheer heaviness with emotional weight. Their music can be devastatingly aggressive one moment and surprisingly melodic the next, creating a dynamic live experience that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end. Flynn remains one of metal’s most commanding frontmen, effortlessly alternating between fierce vocal delivery, crowd interaction, and guitar work that showcased both precision and passion.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the set was its pacing. Machine Head understands how to build momentum, carefully guiding the audience through moments of all-out aggression before unleashing towering anthemic passages that had hundreds of fans shouting along. The crowd response was immediate and unwavering. Circle pits erupted throughout the floor, while fans packed the barricade, feeding off the band’s intensity.
Roadrunner proved to be the perfect setting for a performance of this scale. The venue’s modern production capabilities amplified the visual impact of the show without overshadowing the music itself. Every lighting cue, every breakdown, and every triumphant chorus felt larger than life.
By the time Machine Head left the stage, they had accomplished something few support acts manage: they made a compelling case that they could have headlined the evening themselves. Their performance was a reminder of why they remain one of the most respected and enduring forces in modern metal.
In a lineup filled with outstanding bands, Machine Head delivered the night’s most commanding performance—equal parts brutality, musicianship, and pure heavy-metal catharsis.
The final performers of the night were none other then American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 Killswitch Engage. The band’s current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D’Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. Howard Jones was the band’s lead vocalist from 2002 to 2012.
The band is scheduled to tour the US in the late Summer of 2026 with Machine Head, Iron Reagan, and Havok, while also headlining the Milwaukee Metal Fest. The tour will continue into Canada in August alongside Machine Head and Malevolence, and the US alongside Machine Head, Rivers of Nihil, Judiciary in September. The band is also confirmed to be on the roster for the Louder Than Life festival taking place in Louisville in September. During the Fall they will also be headlining an Australian tour.
Few bands have a connection to Massachusetts quite like Killswitch Engage, and their performance at Roadrunner in Boston felt less like a concert and more like a homecoming celebration.
Closing out a stacked night that featured Machine Head, Havok, and Iron Reagan, the metalcore pioneers delivered a headlining set that showcased exactly why they remain one of the genre’s most beloved and influential acts. For over two decades, Killswitch Engage have balanced crushing heaviness with uplifting melodies, and at Roadrunner, they demonstrated that formula is as powerful as ever.
The anticipation inside the venue was palpable as the lights dimmed and the band took the stage. The crowd erupted immediately, welcoming hometown heroes with a roar that echoed throughout the sold-out room. From the opening notes, it was clear this would be one of those special nights where band and audience feed off each other’s energy.
Frontman Jesse Leach was the emotional center of the performance. His ability to transition seamlessly between guttural screams and soaring clean vocals remains one of the defining elements of Killswitch Engage’s sound, but it was his connection with the audience that elevated the evening. Whether expressing gratitude to the hometown crowd, encouraging singalongs, or sharing messages of unity and perseverance, Leach brought an authenticity that resonated throughout the room.
Musically, the band was flawless. Guitarists Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel delivered the signature twin-guitar attack that helped define an entire generation of metalcore. Their combination of intricate riffing, melodic harmonies, and thunderous breakdowns sounded as sharp as ever. Dutkiewicz, as always, balanced his elite musicianship with his trademark humor, providing moments of levity that contrasted perfectly with the intensity of the music.
The setlist moved effortlessly between fan favorites and newer material, giving longtime supporters plenty to celebrate while demonstrating that the band’s creative spark remains alive and well. Every chorus became a crowd-wide singalong. Every breakdown sent waves of movement through the packed floor. Roadrunner’s excellent acoustics ensured every guitar lead, vocal harmony, and crushing rhythm section hit with maximum impact.
What stood out most was the sense of community in the room. Killswitch Engage have always emphasized positivity and connection within heavy music, and that spirit was evident throughout the night. Fans of all ages filled the venue, united by songs that have soundtracked countless lives over the last twenty-five years.
As the band reached the final stretch of the set, the energy somehow continued to climb. Thousands of voices joined together for every word, transforming Roadrunner into one giant choir backed by walls of distortion and thunderous drums. It was a fitting conclusion to a performance that celebrated not only the band’s legacy but also the enduring bond between Killswitch Engage and their hometown audience.
In a city that has played a major role in their history, Killswitch Engage delivered a performance worthy of that legacy. Powerful, emotional, and relentlessly energetic, their Roadrunner appearance was a reminder that great metalcore isn’t just about heaviness—it’s about connection.
For one unforgettable night in Boston, Killswitch Engage weren’t simply headliners. They were hometown heroes returning to remind everyone why they helped define a genre.
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