Killswitch Engage: Jesse David Leach (vocals); Adam Dutkiewicz (guitar, piano, acoustic bass, drums, percussion, background vocals); Joel Stroetzel (guitar); Mike D'Antonio (bass); Tom Gomes (drums). Additional personnel includes: Tom Gomes (percussion, background vocals). Recorded at Zing Studios, Westfield, Massachusetts between October 2001 and February 2002. Personnel: Adam Dutkiewicz (guitar, piano, double bass, drums, percussion, background vocals); Joel Stroetzel (guitar); Tom Gomes (drums, percussion, background vocals). Audio Mixer: Andy Sneap. Recording information: Zing Studios, Nestfield, MA (10/2001-02/2002). Photographer: Daniel Moss. Unknown Contributor Role: Mike D'Antonio. On 2002's ALIVE OR JUST BREATHING, Killswitch Engage's first album for the venerated Roadrunner label, the Massachusetts-based metal band offers up fierce tunes (with unexpectedly positive lyrics, though) in the speed/thrash vein. Recorded with founding vocalist Jesse Leach, this potent disc lays the groundwork for 2004's hugely successful THE END OF HEARTACHE, which marked the debut of Leach's replacement, Howard Jones. (Note: The 2005 reissue of ALIVE OR JUST BREATHING features a bonus disc that includes demos and rarities, along with a new version of "Fixation on the Darkness" with Jones on vocals.)
