Killswitch Engage

with

The Devil Wears Prada

and

Dark Tranquility

By David Gerhard

On Feb. 18, 2010 Minnesota had more questions than answers but that was soon to change. Change with great anticipation. Killswitch Engage is no stranger to their fair share of problems on the road. Unfortunately, one caused a bigger hit than any one could imagine on their 2010 tour across America. On Feb. 17 the Killswitch Engage page announced the expected drop of Howard Jones (lead vocalist) due to unannounced personal reasons. With mixed emotions from the fans, Phil Labonte of All That Remains was given the honor to jump genres and lend his "golden pipes" to finish out the tour. Ticket holders began piling in to First Avenue at 5:00, with no clue what to expect besides a show they'll never forget.

It was finally a pleasure puting a face to the voice, when i saw Dark Tranquility take the stage. With the release of their ninth studio album named We Are The Void, they were a great choice to bring history to the American stage. Dark Tranquility showed the crowd why they haven't backed down after 20 years. The show kicked off with a suttle bang and slowly but surely the gasoline was added. They played all the great singles and even a few new tracks that are available on thier myspace page. After watching them head bang their way across the stage I learned that Dark Tranquility is no warm up band. They have a stage presence that was over looked but fressly arrived fans. After playing the last song in their set, Mikael Stanne anounced a posible tour in the near future which they might be headlining. He then joked by making a comment about CD sales will reflect their return. After watching Dark Tranquility I wasn't yet in the mood to make the transition into what was to come.

With the release of With Roots Above and Branches Below, The Devil Wears Prada has been doing nothing but searching for any outlet to get this CD in to the hands of the fans. This endevor wound them up on a tour that's nothing less than interesting. The Devil Wears Prada took the stage by storm and the crowd followed suit. Unexpectedly as fast as they went on, they found themselves in the middle of a few technical difficulties. This down time left lead singer Mike Hranica, speechless and slightly uncomfortable. Even though they regained thier berings, they couldn't keep the momentum they entered with, even with the water break. The crowed never stopoed singing and chanting. The pit awaited the gun to go and picked up right where they left off. I liked this band but they weren't all there this time. The Devil Wears Prada is scheduled to be back in minnesota for the Sonshine Festival in July. I will have to see this band again to have a valid opinion but I can say "I'll stick to them on CD for the time being."

Usually when the crowd chants the bands name, the band comes out with more energy then they hoped for. When you hear the crowd chanting OH YEAH, you know Killswitch Engage has arrived. The Music As A Weapon Tour left us counting the days until tonight. Which would have been greated with more excitment if under better circumstances. The band made thier way to the stage, followed by that 5 foot 5 miracle man. Phil Labonte entered into the first song like it was natural and never stoped. Adam was a little censored this go around. It wasn't the jokes that we are going to remember, it will be his green cape and white head band. I will try and forget about his back hair though. when the band and the crowd got on the same page the staff of First Avenue earn their pay.  There were bodies hitting the floor, bodies attempting to crowd surf and bodies getting pulled in and pushed out. Phil and the crowd never stopped spitting out the lyrics to any hit that was played. This has to be one of their best performances I've seen, even though the band had their minds in other places. I don't know the future of KSE but I think they got something going great right now, why not keep it going, whatever the future may bring the fans, I know I'll be in line to get ahold of thier next project. Hopefully there will be so you can join me next time.