The End of Heartache

"Rose of Sharyn" redirects here. For the flowering plant, see Rose of Sharon.

The End of Heartache
Studio album by
Killswitch Engage
ReleasedMay 11, 2004 (2004-05-11)
StudioZing Studios Westfield, Massachusetts
GenreMelodic metalcore[1]
Length42:36
LabelRoadrunner
ProducerAdam Dutkiewicz
Killswitch Engage chronology
Alive or Just Breathing
(2002) 		The End of Heartache
(2004) 		As Daylight Dies
(2006)
Alternative cover
Special edition cover
Singles from The End of Heartache
  1. "Rose of Sharyn"
    Released: May 2004[2]
  2. "The End of Heartache"
    Released: August 2004
  3. "A Bid Farewell"
    Released: November 2005[3]

The End of Heartache is the third studio album by the American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. It was released on May 11, 2004, through Roadrunner Records. It is the first album to feature lead vocalist Howard Jones and drummer Justin Foley.

The album combines melodic elements with emo metal, progressive metal, thrash metal and extreme metal[4] to create "the perfect" melodic metalcore work, according to MetalSucks.[1] It received positive reviews from critics.

Background

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 album cover was created by bassist Mike D’Antonio.[7]

Release

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]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[4]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal7/10[16]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf star[17]
Rock Hard8.5/10[18]
SpinA−[19]
Ultimate GuitarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[20]
Blabbermouth.netStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[21]

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]

The album won Best Album at the 2004 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.[27] The title track was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

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]

Accolades

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Rock Hard[29] DE The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time 2005 401
Decibel[30] US The Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the Decade 2010 86
Loudwire[31] US The 10 Best Metal Albums of 2004 2014 3
Metal Hammer[32] UK 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the 21st century 2018 7
Loudwire[33] US 25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time 2020 12
Ultimate Guitar[34] US Top 20 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time 2020 2
Loudwire[35] US The 100 Best Rock + Metal Albums of the 21st Century 2023 46
Metal Hammer[36] UK The 50 Best Metal Albums of the 2000s 2023 11
Loudwire[37] US Best Metalcore Album From Every Year Since 2000 2024 2004
Loudwire[38] US The 50 Best Metal Albums of the 2000s 2025 NR

Legacy

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.

No.TitleLength
1."A Bid Farewell"3:55
2."Take This Oath" (featuring Jesse 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..." (featuring Phil Labonte)4:21
Total length:42:36
Special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
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

Personnel

Killswitch Engage
Guest musicians
  • Jesse Leach – additional vocals ("Take This Oath" and "Irreversal")
  • Phil Labonte – additional vocals ("Hope Is..." and "Irreversal")
  • Andy Sneap – additional guitar ("The End of Heartache")
Production
  • Mike D'Antonio – design, artwork photography, layout
  • Adam Dutkiewicz – production, engineering
  • Chris Fortin – assistant engineering
  • Wayne Krupa – assistant engineering
  • Andy Sneap – mixing, mastering

Song appearances

  • "A Bid Farewell (Live)" is featured on Disc #1 of the compilation MTV2 Headbangers Ball: The Revenge
  • The original recording of "When Darkness Falls" is featured on the film soundtrack Freddy vs. Jason
  • "The End of Heartache (Resident Evil Version)" is featured on the film soundtrack Resident Evil: Apocalypse; also as the theme song of professional wrestler Roderick Strong and Tyler Black
  • "Rose of Sharyn" is also featured on Disc 1 of the compilation MTV2 Headbangers Ball, Vol. 2
  • "The End of Heartache" is a playable song in Guitar Hero: Van Halen, Rock Revolution and Rock Band 3 as DLC with an optional Pro Guitar/Bass download.
  • "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.

Chart positions

Album

Chart (2004) Peak

position

Australian Albums (ARIA)[47] 39
French Albums (SNEP)[48] 177
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[49] 42
Scottish Albums (OCC)[50] 35
UK Albums (OCC)[50] 40
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[50] 2
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[50] 29
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[50] 40
US Billboard 200 (Billboard)[51] 21
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[52] 21
Chart (2005) Peak

position

UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[50] 1
Chart (2009) Peak

position

Scottish Albums (OCC)[50] 29
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[50] 32

Singles

Year Single Chart Peak
position
2004 "The End of Heartache" Mainstream Rock[53] 31

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[55] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Additional information

  • Mixed and mastered at Backstage Productions, Ripley, Derbyshire, UK, from January 2004 to February 2004.

References

  1. ^ a b "Twenty Years Ago, Killswitch Engage Perfected Melodic Metalcore with End of Heartache". May 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Rose of Sharyn (track listing). Killswitch Engage. Roadrunner Records. 2004. RR PROMO 771.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ A Bid Farewell (track listing). Killswitch Engage. Roadrunner Records. 2005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Rivadia, Eduardo. "The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage". Allmusic. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  5. ^ Millspublished, Matt (February 12, 2025). ""I would hide out before the show, play the set, hide out after, not be sociable, not have fun, and that just started wearing thin on me": Jesse Leach explains his 2002 Killswitch Engage exit". Louder. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "Killswitch Engage to begin writing new LP". lambgoat.com. January 2, 2003. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Killswitch Engage finishing up new album". lambgoat.com. February 10, 2004. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  8. ^ a b The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage | Album | AllMusic, retrieved September 26, 2025
  9. ^ Epstein, Dan. ""Attitude Over Perfection": Killswitch Engage Talk Making 'As Daylight Dies'". Revolver. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  10. ^ "Usher Keeps Rolling At No. 1 | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  11. ^ Blabbermouth (March 18, 2004). "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Film Video For 'Rose Of Sharyn'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  12. ^ "Killswitch Engage, 18 Visions, FATA tour". lambgoat.com. July 14, 2004. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  13. ^ Music, I. G. N. (September 8, 2004). "Slayer To Headline 2004 Jagermeister Tour". IGN. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  14. ^ "Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache". www.punktastic.com. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  15. ^ "Brave words The End of Heartache certified gold".
  16. ^ Popoff, Martin; Perri, David (2011). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 4: The '00s. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 263. ISBN 9781-926592-20-6.
  17. ^ "The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  18. ^ Schiffbauer, Conny. "Rock Hard review". issue 204. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  19. ^ "Breakdown". Spin. Vol. 20, no. 6. SPIN Media, LLC. June 2004. p. 108.
  20. ^ Schiffbauer, Conny. "Rock Hard review".
  21. ^ "The End of Heartache". May 10, 2004.
  22. ^ "(2004) Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache". Tuonela Magazine. May 11, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  23. ^ Blabbermouth (May 10, 2004). "The End Of Heartache". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  24. ^ The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage | Album | AllMusic, retrieved November 12, 2025
  25. ^ "Killswitch Engage: The End Of Heartache Review". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  26. ^ "Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache Review". Inside Pulse. December 27, 2004. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  27. ^ "Metal Hammer Awards Announced, Madness Ensues". June 9, 2004.
  28. ^ Enis, Eli. "Fan Poll: Top 5 Metalcore Songs of All Time". Revolver. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  29. ^ Best of Rock & Metal - Die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten (in German). Rock Hard. 2005. p. 48. ISBN 3-89880-517-4.
  30. ^ "Decibel – The Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums Of The Decade". New Music Excess. January 28, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  31. ^ DiVita, Joe DiVitaJoe (February 18, 2014). "10 Best Metal Albums of 2004". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  32. ^ Hammerpublished, Metal (October 12, 2018). "The 100 greatest metal albums of the 21st century". Louder. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  33. ^ Hill, John HillJohn (May 25, 2020). "25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time". Loudwire. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  34. ^ "Friday Top: 20 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  35. ^ Staff, Loudwire StaffLoudwire (October 16, 2023). "The 100 Best Rock + Metal Albums of the 21st Century". Loudwire. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ Hill, John HillJohn (May 24, 2024). "The Best Metalcore Album of Each Year Since 2000". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ ""I felt like we had something to prove": How The End Of Heartache…". Kerrang!. May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  40. ^ "Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach Praises Former Singer Howard Jones: "I'd Always Admired Him"". Metal Anarchy. January 27, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  41. ^ updated, Stephen Hilllast (July 25, 2020). "Killswitch Engage's The End Of Heartache: the epic anthem that kicked metalcore to the next level". Louder. Retrieved October 13, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  42. ^ Heilman, Max (May 11, 2024). "Twenty Years Ago, Killswitch Engage Perfected Melodic Metalcore with End of Heartache". MetalSucks. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  43. ^ "Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache – Review – Lollipop Magazine". Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  44. ^ Hill, John HillJohn (May 25, 2020). "25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time". Loudwire. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  45. ^ Enis, Eli. "Fan Poll: Top 5 Metalcore Songs of All Time". Revolver. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  46. ^ Rolli, Bryan RolliBryan (April 30, 2025). "The Best Album From 11 Legendary Metalcore Bands". Loudwire. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  47. ^ ""Australiancharts.com – Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2021".
  48. ^ ""Lescharts.com – Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache". Hung Medien".
  49. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de (in German). Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h "Official Charts Killswitch Engage Profile".
  51. ^ "Billboard Artist Profile Killswitch Engage Billboard 200 History".
  52. ^ "Billboard Artist Killswitch Engage Top Album Sales History".
  53. ^ "Killswitch Engage Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  54. ^ "British album certifications – Killswitch Engage – The End Of Heartache". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 6, 2006. Select albums in the Formats field. Type The End Of Heartache Killswitch Engage in the "Search:" field.
  55. ^ "American album certifications – Killswitch Engage – The End Of Heartache". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
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