NEW LP
New sealed copy. 2025 reissue.
Released on May 21, 2002, Alive or Just Breathing is the second studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage and a foundational release in the evolution of early 2000s heavy music. It marked the band’s debut on Roadrunner Records and was produced by drummer and guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who also handled the bulk of the drum tracking before moving to guitar full-time. The album was recorded at Zing Studios in Massachusetts over several months while the members balanced jobs and school commitments.
Alive or Just Breathing is widely regarded as a milestone in the metalcore genre, praised for its fusion of melodic structure and unrelenting heaviness. It introduced a sound that would come to define the genre: tight, thrash-influenced riffs, hardcore breakdowns, and the now-standard dynamic of screamed verses and soaring clean choruses. The lyrics, written entirely by vocalist Jesse Leach, are rooted in personal reflection and spiritual positivity, standing in contrast to the often nihilistic tone of metal.
Tracks like “My Last Serenade,” “Fixation on the Darkness,” and “Just Barely Breathing” exemplify the band’s blend of aggression and melody. The album also includes re-recorded versions of songs from their debut, such as “Vide Infra” and “Temple from the Within,” which gained a wider audience through the broader reach of Roadrunner. Mixing duties were handled by Andy Sneap, whose crisp production gave the record the clarity and punch that helped it stand out in a crowded heavy music scene.
Despite its success, Alive or Just Breathing also marked the end of an era for Killswitch Engage. Jesse Leach left the band shortly after the album’s release, citing personal struggles and the emotional toll of touring. His departure came via an email to bassist Mike D’Antonio—a move later mended through reconciliation and friendship. Leach’s absence ushered in vocalist Howard Jones, who would front the band for the next decade before Leach returned in 2012, coinciding with the album’s 10th anniversary.
The legacy of Alive or Just Breathing is substantial. It earned critical acclaim, became a blueprint for countless metalcore acts, and earned a spot on numerous best-of-the-decade lists. A 2005 special edition reissue expanded the album with unreleased tracks, studio outtakes, and updated liner notes. Its enduring relevance is a testament to its craftsmanship and emotional depth—a rare blend of brutality and hope that helped reshape modern metal.
TRACKLIST:
A1 Numbered Days
A2 Self Revolution
A3 Fixation On The Darkness
A4 My Last Serenade
A5 Life To Lifeless
A6 Just Barely Breathing
B7 To The Sons Of Man
B8 Temple From The Within
B9 The Element Of One
B10 Vide Infra
B11 Without A Name
B12 Rise Inside
