On Sunday, March 30, 2025, The Midland Theater in Kansas City became the epicenter of high-energy metalcore as Killswitch Engage brought their signature blend of soaring melodies and crushing breakdowns to a packed house. With a powerhouse lineup featuring Texas heavyweights Kublai Khan TX, the anthemic Fit for a King, and the bone-chilling brutality of Frozen Soul, the night promised a relentless barrage of riffs, roars, and raw emotion.
As the crowd gathered beneath the theater’s grand chandeliers, anticipation buzzed through the air. From the first note to the last, each band delivered a performance that showcased the evolution of heavy music—from hardcore-infused beatdowns to melodic singalongs and unrelenting death metal aggression. But at the heart of it all was Killswitch Engage, the genre-defining titans who proved once again why they remain one of metalcore’s most enduring and electrifying acts.
With a setlist spanning their storied career, moments of heartfelt connection, and enough headbanging fury to shake the venue’s foundations, this was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of everything that makes heavy music thrive. Here’s how the night unfolded.
“Frozen Soul brought the heavy in a death metal fashion that heaved the doors off the hinges.”
The evening kicked off with Frozen Soul, who set the stage both visually and sonically for what was to come. Their eerie, ice-laden aesthetic was complete with skeletal bodies impaled on long stakes, an ominous prelude to the sonic blizzard about to unfold. Frontman Chad Green commanded the stage with raw intensity, engaging the crowd and ensuring that the pit was in full force from the start. The energy was relentless, yet the band took a moment to ground the audience with a heartfelt speech on mental health, as Green paid tribute to his late brother. It was a powerful, emotionally charged set that blended pulverizing death metal with genuine human connection—a perfect way to ignite the night.
Frozen Soul Setlist:
- Encased in Ice
- Invisible Tormentor
- Death and Glory
- Morbid Effigy
- Arsenal of War
- Crypt of Ice
“Fit For A King’s sheer energy was contagious—Ryan Kirby’s vocals soared through the venue with ferocity and beauty.”
Next up was Fit For A King, and if there were any doubters in the crowd before their set, they were undoubtedly converted by the time the band finished. Guitarists Daniel Gailey and Bobby Lynge were captivating throughout, while vocalist Ryan Kirby’s dynamic range—from ferocious growls to soaring cleans—commanded the audience’s attention. The band’s sheer energy was contagious, with bassist Ryan O’Leary pulling off gravity-defying bass spins that had the crowd collectively holding its breath. Songs like “End (The Other Side),” “When Everything Means Nothing,” and “Reaper” tore through the venue with relentless intensity. By the time their set wrapped up, it was clear Fit For A King had left a lasting impression.
Fit For A King Setlist:
- Eyes Roll Back
- Technium
- End (The Other Side)
- Reaper
- Keeping Secrets
- Backbreaker
- Shattered Glass
- Breaking the Mirror
- When Everything Means Nothing
- God of Fire
“Kublai Khan TX turned the entire venue into their captives, annihilating the stage with raw aggression.”
If the energy level had been high before, it reached a boiling point when Kublai Khan TX stormed the stage. The anticipation in the room was palpable, especially for those eagerly awaiting their chance to witness the band’s raw power in person. Vocalist Matt Honeycutt stomped across the stage like a general leading an army, barking out lyrics with unrelenting ferocity. The audience became a single, heaving entity, chanting along to every word of “Theory of Mind” and “Darwinism” as if in a primal ritual. It was a pure, sweat-drenched display of hardcore brutality, leaving no one unscathed.
Kublai Khan TX Setlist:
- Supreme Ruler
- Theory of Mind
- Low Tech
- Resentment
- Boomslang
- Darwinism
- Swan Song
- Cannibal
- Loyal to None
- The Hammer
- Self-Destruct
- Antpile
- Antpile 2
“A Killswitch show isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of unity, passion, and the power to make you feel alive.”
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. As soon as Killswitch Engage hit the stage, a wave of euphoria swept through the crowd. There’s something uniquely uplifting about a Killswitch show—their blend of crushing metalcore and unwavering positivity is a rare balance in the heavy music world. Jesse Leach was in top form, his voice soaring through the venue as he delivered both impassioned lyrics and messages of resilience between songs.
Adam Dutkiewicz, ever the showman, kept the energy light with his signature antics, grinning and goofing around while effortlessly shredding through the band’s anthems. “I Believe” stood out as a particularly powerful moment, with Leach pouring his soul into every word. The audience responded in kind, singing along in unison to fan favorites like “My Last Serenade,” “The End of Heartache,” and “In Due Time.” It was one of those rare performances where the connection between band and crowd felt almost spiritual—a shared experience of triumph, struggle, and catharsis through music.
Killswitch Engage Setlist:
- Strength of the Mind
- Rose of Sharyn
- Reckoning
- Aftermath
- Numbered Days
- This Is Absolution
- No End in Sight
- Collusion
- 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
By the time the final notes rang out, there wasn’t a single person in the venue who didn’t feel the weight of the night in their bones. Killswitch Engage once again proved why they remain one of the most beloved bands in metalcore, delivering not just a performance but an experience.
If you’ve never seen them live, do yourself a favor—don’t miss the next opportunity. A Killswitch show isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of everything heavy music stands for: unity, passion, and the power to make you feel alive.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE ON TOUR:
WITH KUBLAI KHAN TX, FIT FOR A KING, + FROZEN SOUL:
03/05 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
03/06 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory
03/08 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live
03/09 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
03/11 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center Arena
03/13 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
03/14 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
03/15 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
03/17 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House
03/18 – Seattle, WA – The Paramount
03/19 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
03/21 – Penticton, BC – South Okanagan Events Centre
03/22 – Tsuut’ina, AB – Grey Eagle Event Centre
03/24 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
03/27 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
03/28 – Waukee, IA- Vibrant Music Hall
03/29 – La Vista, NE – The Astro
03/30 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
04/01 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live 20 Monroe
04/03 – Corbin, KY – The Corbin Arena
04/04 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
04/05 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
04/06 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Special Events Center
04/08 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
04/09 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo RiverWorks
04/11 – Laval, QC -Place Bell
04/12 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
Photos by Thomas Woroniak Photography
Killswitch Engage
Kublai Khan TX
Fit For A King
Frozen Soul
