| The End of Heartache | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 11, 2004 (2004-05-11) | |||
| Studio | Zing StudiosWestfield, Massachusetts | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:36 | |||
| Label | Roadrunner | |||
| Producer | Adam Dutkiewicz | |||
| Killswitch Engage chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
 Special edition cover | ||||
| Singles from The End of Heartache | ||||
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The End of Heartache is the third studio album by the Americanmetalcore bandKillswitch Engage. It was released on May 11, 2004, throughRoadrunner Records. It is the first album to feature lead vocalistHoward Jones and drummerJustin Foley.
The album combines melodic elements withemo metal,progressive metal,thrash metal andextreme metal[5] to create "the perfect"melodic metalcore work, according toMetalSucks.[1] It received positive reviews from critics.
The End of Heartache marked a major turning point in their career. It was the bands first album to not feature founding vocalsJesse Leach who stepped away from the band, withHoward Jones taking over as the lead vocalist.[6]
The album was produced by the band’s guitaristAdam Dutkiewicz, who played a key part in shaping their sound. Recorded between 2003 and early 2004 at Zing Studios in Massachusetts, 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.[7] Dutkiewicz pushed the band to be perfectionist in a 2018 interviewJoel Stroetzel stated “The End of Heartache was a whole different thing. We’d double every guitar, and everything had to be perfectly in tune.”[8]
Jones’ lyrical approach introduced a more introspective and emotionally resonant tone than previous records, which helped broaden the band’s appeal and emotional range.[7] former singerJesse Leach provided additional vocals on the songs "Take This Oath" and "Irreversal".
The End of Heartache, peaked at number 21 on theBillboard 200, and sold 38,000 copies in its first week of release.[9]
"When Darkness Falls" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2003 horror filmFreddy 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 withAnthrax.
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. "The End of Heartache" featured a darkly lit performance with various animated imagery with scenes fromResident Evil: Apocalypse dotted throughout. Both videos saw notable airplay onHeadbangers Ball. The band previously played on the 2003MTV2 Headbangers Ball Tour.
A special edition of the album was released in 2005 that contained six additional tracks.
The album wascertified Gold by theRIAA on December 7, 2007.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 7/10[10] |
| Rolling Stone |  [11] |
| Rock Hard | 8.5/10[12] |
| Spin | A−[13] |
| Ultimate Guitar | [14] |
| Blabbermouth.net | [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 metalcoreper 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."[16]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."[17] Eduardo Rivadavia ofAllMusic 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."[18] Ultimate Guitar stated, "This album definitly stands up to KsE's past works but builds on every aspect and is a sure improvement."[19] 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."[20]
The album won Best Album at the 2004Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.[21] The title track was nominated forBest Metal Performance at the47th AnnualGrammy Awards.
The End of Heartache was ranked number 401 inRock Hard magazine's bookThe 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time in 2005.[22] The album was named the 86th greatest Greatest Metal Album of the 2000s byDecibel.[23] In 2018Metal Hammer ranked the album number 7 on their list of the 100 greatest metal albums of the 21st century.[24]
In 2020Loudwire namedThe End of Heartache as the 12th bestmetalcore album of all time.[25] That same year it was voted the 2nd greatest metalcore album of all time onUltimate Guitar.[26] in 2023 it Loudwire put the album at number 46 on their list of The 100 Best Rock + Metal Albums of the 21st Century.[27] In their 2024 list of the best metalcore album from every year since 2000 they named the album the best of 2004.[28]
The End of Heartache is credited with boosting Killswitch Engage in popularity, making them a household name. In a 2019 interview withKerrang, 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."[29]
Jesse Leach has spotlightedThe End of Heartache as the turning point for the band’s global impact.[30] 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.[31][32] Martin of Lolipop Magazine wrote that the album "vaulted Killswitch Engage pastShadows Fall,God Forbid,Darkest Hour,Lamb of God andUnearth, to be considered the best, or at least most indicative brightest hope, for metalcore."[33]
In 2020, John Hill ofLoudwire included the album in his list of the "Top 25 Metalcore Albums of All Time."[34] In 2022,Revolver said the album was a "genre pillar" and that the track "Rose of Sharyn" was "a masterclass in metalcore craftsmanship."[35]
It was cited as the band's best album by Bryan Rolli ofLoudwire in 2025.[36]
All lyrics are written byHoward Jones; all music is composed by Killswitch Engage.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Bid Farewell" | 3:55 |
| 2. | "Take This Oath" (featuringJesse Leach) | 3:46 |
| 3. | "When Darkness Falls" | 3:52 |
| 4. | "Rose of Sharyn" | 3:36 |
| 5. | "Inhale" (instrumental) | 1:15 |
| 6. | "Breathe Life" | 3:18 |
| 7. | "The End of Heartache" | 4:58 |
| 8. | "Declaration" | 3:01 |
| 9. | "World Ablaze" | 5:00 |
| 10. | "And Embers Rise" (instrumental) | 1:11 |
| 11. | "Wasted Sacrifice" | 4:18 |
| 12. | "Hope Is..." (featuringPhil Labonte) | 4:21 |
| Total length: | 42:36 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Irreversal" (featuring Jesse Leach & Phil Labonte, Re-Recorded Version) | 3:49 |
| 14. | "My Life for Yours" | 3:34 |
| 15. | "The End of Heartache" (Resident Evil: Apocalypse Version) | 4:05 |
| 16. | "Life to Lifeless" (Live) | 3:22 |
| 17. | "Fixation on the Darkness" (Live) | 3:40 |
| 18. | "My Last Serenade" (Live) | 4:00 |
| Total length: | 65:06 | |
Album
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] | 39 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[38] | 177 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] | 42 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[40] | 35 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[41] | 40 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[42] | 2 |
| USBillboard 200[43] | 21 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "The End of Heartache" | Mainstream Rock[44] | 31 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[45] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[46] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
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