When it comes to Metalcore Masterpieces, it’s impossible not to discuss one of the founders and kings of Metalcore: Killswitch Engage. With 25 years under their belt, Killswitch remains one of the most consistent Metal bands, regardless of which singer they have at the helm. From the early days of Jesse, to the mid-2000s of Howard Jones, and back to Jesse Leach after Howard’s health issues, the band has stayed true to themselves and has crafted countless classic Metalcore albums. One of the biggest reasons the band has remained so consistent rests on the shoulders of Adam Dutkiewicz. Adam has been the band’s main producer since their first record, and you can hear the attention to detail with As Daylight Dies, especially concerning the guitar tone. The record marks a key point in Howard's time with the band, highlighting his development as a singer and songwriter since The End of Heartache, later culminating with their 2009 self-titled album.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Bullet For My Valentine’s debut album, The Poison, so it seemed fitting to take the time to honor it as part of my Metalcore Masterpieces series. Looking back at this record, it still blows my mind that this was the band’s debut, later to be followed up with another excellent record (Scream, Aim, Fire) that I will eventually also feature on here, as it is one of the most impressive debut and sophomore releases from a band in recent times. The band managed to deliver a profound record that helped legitimize the Metalcore genre all while being the new kids on the block. The Poison does an outstanding job flowing through several genres like Metalcore, Thrash, (stemming from their Metallica influence), Emo, and straight-up Heavy Metal.

When you talk about Metalcore Masterpieces, it’s impossible to overlook The Fall of Ideals and its lasting impact on not only Metalcore music but metal as a whole. This record comes up every time I talk metal with my buddies, where we reflect on what it did for us personally and the genre. The album is packed with memorable riffs, lyrics, vocals, and drums that showcase each member at their finest, which is impressive when you consider that this album was only their third. Shannon Lucas and Oli Herbert work through track after track, designing what would go on to be one of the greatest collections of metal tracks of all time, with Phil Labonte providing an incredible dichotomy between deathcore-level growls and melodic singing.