This brings us to a point that I think the song tries to illuminate: the Crucifixion and Resurrection are events that both happened once historically and yet also continue to unfold here and now. It was the broken, bruised, and wounded body of Jesus that was able to be resurrected from the dead. Further, redemptive suffering is not just an ethereal message. This profound Christian intuition is almost totally contrary to our individualistic and pleasure-centric Western society.

How would opening one’s wounds for another make any sense apart from Jesus Christ, whose open wounds actually have the power to heal and save?Ĭhristians believe in redemptive suffering-essentially, that meaning can be found in suffering. So now you see the truth that you are broken tooĬertainly this song could be addressed by a friend to another friend who is struggling, but I don’t think the fundamental truth of the song makes sense without the Christian revelation of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ-the cross and the empty tomb. If you needed proof, I’ll reopen my wounds To make it seem like nothing could ever break youīut I see right through, ’cause I am broken tooĪnd if you needed proof, I’ll reopen my wounds You carry this weight trying to cover your mistakes I need to share a good amount of the song’s lyrics to illustrate my point: The song simply could not have been written without the revelation of Christianity. “I Am Broken Too,” another track off the new album, struck me as inherently Christian. Read through the lyrics of “Rose of Sharyn,” “My Curse,” “Breathe Life.” “Arms of Sorrow,” “Just Let Go,” “Triumph Through Tragedy,” or tracks off Atonement like “As Sure As The Sun Will Rise” and “Take Control.” These are the songs of men who strive for redemption amidst darkness. The pelican was known to tear its own flesh in order to feed its starving chicks. Indeed, it’s an image that’s pretty metal, but the pelican is actually a powerful ancient symbol for Christ. The album cover boasts a scene of a pelican fighting off snakes. I also found it interesting that the artwork of Killswitch’s previous record, Incarnate, was markedly Christian. For those who may find this to be questionable, see their side project Times of Grace. Two of the bands members, frontman Jesse Leach and guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, have been considerably influenced by Christianity. They listen to metal just because they like heavy music.” I would consider myself one in the crowd. In their video documentary ( Set This) World Ablaze, the band’s bassist Mike D’Antonio explains, “You don’t have to put on the mean faces and pump fists in the air and pretend like you hate the world.” Later, Björn from the Swedish band Soilwork states, “Not everyone who listens to metal music hates their life and the world. This effort should not be easily shrugged off, especially in a music genre that is filled with a lot of self and societal loathing and tends to promote evil and destructive behavior. Killswitch’s songs tend to reinforce positive ways of being and thinking. Despite the heavy and dark facade, Killswitch has been known to be a beacon of hope to the metal world.

Their music has a profound depth for those who enjoy heavy riffs and screamed lyrics.Īdmittedly, metal music is a bit of an acquired taste, but is listened to be a vast diversity of people. Killswitch has long been one of my favorite metal outfits. Killswitch Engage, the metalcore titans from Massachusetts, recently put out their eighth album, Atonement, and it is brutally amazing.

Leech ancient glyph