The End of Heartache marked a major turning point in their career. It was the bands first album to not feature founding vocals Jesse Leach who stepped away from the band, with Howard Jones taking over as the lead vocalist.[5]
The album was produced by the band’s guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who played a key part in shaping their sound. Killswitch Engage officially began writing for the album in January of 2003.[6] By February of 2004 the band had finished up recording at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts and the album began being mixed in the U.K. by Andy Sneap.[7]
With this album the band aimed to refine their blend of aggressive metalcore with more melodic and accessible songwriting, which helped them break through to a wider audience. With Howard Jones’ mix of harsh screams and powerful clean singing expanded the band’s sonic range.[8] Dutkiewicz pushed the band to be perfectionist, in a 2018 interview Joel Stroetzel stated "The End of Heartache was a whole different thing. We’d double every guitar, and everything had to be perfectly in tune."[9]
Jones’ lyrical approach introduced a more introspective and emotionally resonant tone than previous records, which helped broaden the band’s appeal and emotional range.[8] former singer Jesse Leach provided additional vocals on the songs "Take This Oath" and "Irreversal".
The End of Heartache was released on May 11, 2004, and peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, selling 38,000 copies in its first week of release.[10]
Two music videos: "Rose of Sharyn" and "The End of Heartache" were filmed in promotion of the album. "Rose of Sharyn" had the group performing in a sunny desert with blood dripping from dead branches to form words.[11] "The End of Heartache" featured a darkly lit performance with various animated imagery with scenes from Resident Evil: Apocalypse dotted throughout. Both videos saw notable airplay on Headbangers Ball. The band previously played on the 2003 MTV2 Headbangers Ball Tour.
"When Darkness Falls" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2003 horror film Freddy vs. Jason. The album debuted in the top 40 on the Australian album charts on May 17, 2004, following a successful tour of that country with Anthrax. Killswitch Engage toured extensively in support of the album, including an August-September North American tour with Eighteen Visions and From Autumn To Ashes.[12] They also took part in the Fall Jägermeister Tour alongside Slayer and Mastodon.[13]
A special edition of the album was released in 2005 that contained six additional tracks and a second disc featuring various live performances, a Japanese bonus track, and a re-recorded version of "Irreversal".[14]
The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on November 7, 2007. Killswitch Engage was presented the Gold Plaques at the Roadrunner Records US office in New York City. [15]
The album received positive reviews from music critics. Lani L writing for Tuonela Magazine stated, "The End of Heartache" is an essential album to listen to regardless of whether or not you actually like metalcore per se. I would even go so far as to claim that, especially, if you dislike the genre – or what it has become over the years – you really should listen to this album."[22]Blabbermouth.net wrote "The End Of Heartache" features ten songs and two brief instrumentals, and its relatively short (under 43 minutes) length and wall-to-wall sequencing (all the songs bleed into each other) ensure that the music doesn't get stale and the listener only gets a breath when the band permits.” Finishing with, "It may be the end of heartache, but Killswitch Engage shows that metal is not just breathing, but indisputably alive."[23] Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic praised Howard Jones for talking over Jesse Leaches spot stating, "Jones effortlessly matches his predecessor's talent for both clean singing and hardcore-style screaming."[24] Ultimate Guitar stated, "This album definitly stands up to KsE's past works but builds on every aspect and is a sure improvement."[25] Jonathan of Inside Pulse added, "The End of Heartache" is the perfect example of a "can’t stop" release: one you start listening and get involved in the music, there never seems a good point to turn it off. Each song bleeds well into the next. The album, as a whole, is super-tight."[26]
In a 2022 poll held by Revolver Magazine the lead single "Rose of Sharyn" was voted the greatest metalcore song of all time. The publication added "Everything about this song is a masterclass in metalcore craftsmanship — the chunky production, the quality of that lead riff, the way Jones’ mighty belt contrasts with Adam Dutkiewicz’s croons. It’s just perfect."[28]
The End of Heartache is credited with boosting Killswitch Engage in popularity, making them a household name. In a 2019 interview with Kerrang, Adam Dutkiewicz talked about the rise in popularity the band seen following the album’s release "The moment we were told that we were going to be featured in one of the Resident Evil movies, I realized that people were paying attention to us. "We grew as musicians and band members, and having Howard was such an amazing thing because his pipes are amazing. It was a whole new world that opened up so many possibilities and potentials, so I think we did step it up. It was a good time for us."[39]
Jesse Leach has spotlighted The End of Heartache as the turning point for the band’s global impact.[40] It has also been credited with "kicking metalcore to the next level" as it showed the genre could be anthemic, emotional, and heavy, all at once.[41][42] Martin of Lolipop Magazine wrote that the album "vaulted Killswitch Engage past Shadows Fall, God Forbid, Darkest Hour, Lamb of God and Unearth, to be considered the best, or at least most indicative brightest hope, for metalcore."[43]
In 2020, John Hill of Loudwire included the album in his list of the "Top 25 Metalcore Albums of All Time."[44] In 2022, Revolver said the album was a "genre pillar" and that the track "Rose of Sharyn" was "a masterclass in metalcore craftsmanship."[45]
It was cited as the band's best album by Bryan Rolli of Loudwire in 2025.[46]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Howard Jones; all music is composed by Killswitch Engage.
"The End of Heartache" was featured daily as the closing theme song on "Morency" on Hardcore Sports Radio Sirius Satellite Channel 98 from the summer to late fall of 2009; at which time the show was dropped.
↑DiVita, Joe DiVitaJoe (February 18, 2014). "10 Best Metal Albums of 2004". Loudwire. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
↑Morris, Merlin AldersladeContributions from Catherine; Hobson, Rich; Lawson, Dom; Everley, Dave; Hill, Stephen; Mills, Matt; Deller, Alex; Stewart-Panko, Kevin; Chillingworth, Alec (July 28, 2023). "The 50 best metal albums of the 2000s". Louder. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
↑Blum, Loudwire StaffLoudwire StaffContributing Authors: Joe DiVitaBryan RolliLauryn SchaffnerChad ChildersJohn HillJordan (March 26, 2025). "The 50 Best Metal Albums of the 2000s (2000-2009)". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
