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Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red & Light the Torch unite for 'The Atonement Tour'

February 8, 2022

Three metal powerhouses have hit the road early in 2022 at last as Killswitch Engage have taken August Burns Red and Light the Torch out with them for the 'Atonement Tour' after numerous delays during the pandemic keeping the trio from the road.

This powerhouse of a headline tour for Killswitch Engage supporting their album "Atonement" marked the culmination of 20 years of iconic metal history hitting the round for a truly unique tour. Killswitch has long been a touring mainstay in the metal scene whether being helmed on vocals by Jesse Leach in the early years (and now) or Howard Jones during the stretch in the middle. Now, fans were treated to the best of both worlds as the two came together on this tour, with Jones own band Light the Torch starting things off each night. Jones is no stranger to Killswitch fans and the crowd at the Sherman Theater welcomed him like an old friend when the band hit the stage.


The crowd of some 1,400 strong metal fans that came out on a Monday night to open up the pit gave Light the Torch as much energy as they would have a headliner on that stage. Jones remains impressive on vocals and the band around him are all also veterans in their own right who delivered across all parts to give the packed Sherman Theater an opening set with a high bar to beat. However, shortly after their departure from the stage the night was set to take a turn for the heavier as Pennsylvania legends August Burns Red were set to remind their home state what they can do.

Across an 11 song set August Burns Red brought the intensity for the Sherman Theater that resulted in the first crowd surfers of the night to make their way across the barricade. The band's expansive catalog allowed them to craft a diverse setlist from all eras of their discography that was also incredibly heavy for the Killswitch Engage diehards in the crowd. Lead singer, Jake Luhrs, has always been a stand out live vocalist in the new era of metal and with age he has continued to grow into a true frontman as he commanded the stage during his performance. Alongside him the rest of the band provided the same stability in their performances whether it was a guitar rip from JB Brubaker or a drum line from Matt Greiner. August Burns Red collectively impressive set, combined with their well crafted setlist and very over the top production allowed them to deliver a performance made for an arena, not a theater or club. This Pennsylvanian band has continued to rise through the ranks over the year and they reminded their home state fans at the Sherman Theater that they aren't done yet but for now they continue on the 'Atonement Tour' with Killswitch Engage to perform to packed venues every night.

The saga of Killswitch Engage across the past 20 years is truly that of a poetry in the metal world as they rose to colossal heights early on and while the journey here hasn't always been the clearest at times they remain as relevant as when they debuted into the scene. 'The Atonement Tour' has resulted in packed venues nationwide so far and the band was greeted to a massive crowd on a Monday night in Stroudsburg, Pennslyvania at the Sherman Theater. While the venue is a staple within the state it is by no means a major city play which made the colossal turn out on an early weeknight even more impressive by Killswitch Engage.


The band's set was brutal, intense and as all good metal sets should be full of crowd surfing and moshing. The majority of shows on this tour have had revolving setlists and the Sherman Theater was no exception as the band made sure mainstays like "My Last Serenade" remained in the set but took some risks as they debuted "World Ablaze" for the first time with Jesse Leach singing. The band's 18 song set was a rollercoaster that left many in the crowd exhausted from the back to back to back approach of the band's live set. Leach prowled the stage all night long while eager fans flowed into the arms of security guards who kept them from getting any closer to the stage but that didn't keep them from reaching out for a fist bump from any band member in reach.


The evening culminated in a once in a lifetime encore as Howard Jones, front man during the era of the band while Jesse Leach had taken a break, re-joined the band for a closing set of 3 massive songs.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Judah and the Lion return to Philadelphia for outdoor show at Alt 104.5's Winter Jawn

By Matt Christine • January 30, 2025
Judah and the Lion braved the cold for an electrifying outdoor set at Alt 104.5’s Winter Jawn, turning a frigid January day into a full-blown celebration. Despite the chill, the crowd warmed up fast as the band tore through a mix of fan favorites and fresh tracks from their latest release. With their signature energy and heartfelt lyrics, they proved that even winter couldn’t freeze out a good time.

Low Cut Connie ring in 2025 with intimate show at West Art Lancaster

By Matt Christine • January 3, 2025
Low Cut Connie tore up West Art in Lancaster on New Year’s Eve, proving once again that piano-driven rock ‘n’ roll was the perfect way to kiss 2024 goodbye. The night was packed with sweat, swagger, and a party so wild that resolutions didn’t stand a chance past midnight.

Say Anything brings the 20th Anniversary of "Is A Real Boy" to Harrisburg

By Matt Christine • November 16, 2024
Harrisburg became a musical confessional as Say Anything rolled into town on their current tour celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their iconic album, ' Is a Real Boy .' From the moment Max Bemis sauntered onto the stage—equal parts ringleader and raconteur—the Harrisburg Midtown Art Center was brimming with a raw, unfiltered energy that threatened to crack the building’s foundations. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a communal exorcism wrapped in clever, sardonic lyrics and the bombast of a band that knows how to leave it all on the stage. The show opened not with a bang but with a tease. Dim lights swirled over the crowd as the haunting opening chords of “Belt” crept into the room. Bemis strutted onto the stage like a grungy Shakespearean antihero, clutching his mic stand as if it were a scepter. His voice—still jagged and impassioned—tore through the iconic first line: "And, the show begins with a song of rebelion." Max Bemis commanded the stage with an energy that felt almost paradoxical—half self-aware rock star, half self-deprecating poet. Between songs, he riffed on the absurdity of revisiting Is a Real Boy in 2024, joking about its youthful angst but simultaneously embracing it like an old friend. His voice, raw and imperfect, added an authenticity that perfectly suited the evening’s themes of insecurity, longing, and rebellion. Highlights included a searing rendition of "Alive with the Glory of Love," which had couples clinging to each other and strangers bonding over the sheer force of nostalgia. The performance was equal parts theatrical and heartfelt—a reminder that Say Anything’s music lives in the messy spaces between irony and earnestness. Despite his scattershot banter, Bemis’ vulnerability anchored the evening. Songs like “The Futile” and “I Want to Know Your Plans” felt like pages torn from a diary, raw and confessional. Bemis has always walked the line between poet and provocateur, and here he danced on that edge, charming the audience with his uncanny ability to make dysfunction feel universal. Say Anything shows have always been as much about the crowd as the band. Last night’s audience was no exception, embodying the album’s themes of existential frustration and defiant joy. From the front-row diehards to the casual fans in the back, the energy was infectious. One highlight came during “Woe,” where Bemis handed the mic to a fan who belted the bridge with so much conviction you’d think they wrote it. The show closed with "Admit It!!!," arguably the most blistering takedown of hipster culture ever written. Bemis delivered the song’s venomous tirade with a grin, and the crowd ate up every word. As the band exited the stage, Bemis lingered for a moment, looking out at the audience as if soaking in the last bits of shared energy. No frills—just a perfect, abrupt ending to a night that didn’t need embellishment. Say Anything’s performance of Is a Real Boy in Harrisburg was a reminder of why this album remains a touchstone for so many. It’s not just the music, though that alone is impressive—it’s the way Bemis and company capture the messiness of being human. For a few hours, we weren’t just an audience; we were co-conspirators in an emotional heist. So if this tour is coming to your city, don’t miss it. You’ll leave hoarse, sweaty, and maybe a little more in touch with the awkward, angry teenager you used to be—or still are. And really, isn’t that what rock and roll is all about?
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