Unleashed (Killswitch Engage song)

Last updated
"Unleashed"
Single by Killswitch Engage
from the album Atonement
ReleasedJuly 19, 2019
Genre Melodic metalcore
Length4:35
Label Metal Blade
Songwriter Killswitch Engage
Producer Adam Dutkiewicz

"Unleashed" is a song by the American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. It was the lead single off their 2019 album Atonement. It was released on July 19, 2025 and was accompanied by an official lyric video. [1] The song was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. [2]

Contents

Background

In an interview with Loudwire , the bands lead singer Jesse Leach commented on the song’s meaning, stating "'Unleashed' is about inner passion and rage coming up to the surface," adding, "we all have that wild within that often stays dormant until a tragic event triggers and awakens it. This song is about that awakening within. I feel we were able to capture something raw and intense on this song." [3] In se

The song also draws inspiration from former lucha Underground wrestler Marty The Moth Martinez. As it was originally recorded to be his entrance theme during his championship reign however it never came to fruition. [4]

Reception

Loudwire 's Joe DiVita described the song as "an immediate standout in the Killswitch catalog", while adding "Leach's powerful clean singing on the song is perhaps his strongest studio work to date". [5] Loudwire also put the song on their list of the 66 best metal songs of 2019. [6]

Brendan Fisher of GBHBL gave the song a positive review, stating: "It starts with a nice little melody before exploding into life with a deafening roar. We get a solid crunching riff with some wicked drumming." [7]

Chris Annunziata of Metal Insider, commented on why the song was the opening track, stating "with luring notes of Adam D’s guitar and Jesse’s throat-ripping scream, the song immediately captures your attention within the first ten seconds. To further pull you in, Jesse then uses his powerful highs to sing the song title. This track is the perfect trademark of the band’s modern sound." [8]

"Unleashed" was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, marking Killswitch Engage’s third total nomination. It lost to "7empest" by Tool. [9]

Charts

Charts (2019)Peak
position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs [10] 29
US Hard Rock Digital Song Sales [11] 10

Personnel

Killswitch Engage

References

  1. Killswitch Engage (2019-06-25). Killswitch Engage - Unleashed [Official Visualizer] . Retrieved 2025-11-18 via YouTube.
  2. "Grammy nominations 2020: Full list of nominees for the 2020 Grammy Awards announced by Alicia Keys and Bebe Rexha today - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  3. "Killswitch Engage Release 'Unleashed,' Announce 'Atonement' Album". Loudwire. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  4. Bryant, Steve (2019-07-05). "Lucha Underground character inspires song by metal band Killswitch Engage". SoCalUNCENSORED.com. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  5. DiVita, Joe (2019-06-25). "Killswitch Engage on 'Atonement' Album, Opening for Iron Maiden". Loudwire. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  6. LoudwireLoudwire (2019-12-12). "The 66 Best Metal Songs of 2019". Loudwire. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  7. Fisher, Brendan (2019-07-05). "Single Slam - Unleashed by Killswitch Engage (Atonement)". GAMES, BRRRAAAINS & A HEAD-BANGING LIFE. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  8. Annunziata, Chris (2019-08-16). "Album Review: Killswitch Engage – 'Atonement' | Metal Insider" . Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  9. rkelly@repub.com, Ray Kelly | (2019-11-20). "Killswitch Engage nominated for Grammy for 'Unleashed'". masslive. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  10. "Killswitch Engage Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  11. "Killswitch Engage Chart History (Hard Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-12-08.