Killswitch Engage, Kublai Khan, Fit For A King, and Frozen Soul - Winnipeg, MB

Metal fans in Winnipeg were treated to an unforgettable sold-out night of bone-crushing breakdowns, high-energy anthems, and passionate performances as Killswitch Engage, Kublai Khan, Fit For A King, and Frozen Soul took over the Burton Cummings Theatre on March 24, 2025. The diverse lineup brought together metalcore, death metal, and hardcore influences, creating an electric atmosphere that had the crowd moshing, headbanging, and singing along from start to finish.

Frozen Soul. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Kicking off the night was Texas-based death metal powerhouse Frozen Soul, whose crushing setlist set the tone for an evening of unrelenting heaviness. Opening with "Encased in Ice," the band wasted no time in bringing their signature brand of icy brutality to the stage. Tracks like "Death and Glory" and "Arsenal of War" had the audience throwing up horns and diving into the pit, while "Crypt of Ice" closed out their set with a menacing intensity. Their mix of old-school death metal and modern aggression proved to be the perfect appetizer for what was to come.

Fit For A King. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Next up was metalcore stalwarts Fit For A King, delivering a dynamic and emotionally charged performance that kept the energy levels high. Opening with "The Hell We Create," the band showcased their knack for balancing melody with crushing heaviness. "Reaper" and "Breaking The Mirror" had the entire venue shaking, while "When Everything Means Nothing" turned the crowd into a choir of voices screaming the lyrics in unison. The set reached its climax with "God of Fire," which saw the pit explode with ferocity. Ryan Kirby’s vocals were impeccable, shifting seamlessly between guttural growls and soaring cleans, solidifying their place as one of modern metalcore’s elite.

Kublai Khan. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Kublai Khan took the stage next, and from the first note of "Supreme Ruler," the venue erupted into chaos. Their brutal, no-frills approach to hardcore resonated deeply with the crowd, as "Boomslang" and "Darwinism" fueled relentless moshing. The band’s aggressive stage presence, led by vocalist Matt Honeycutt’s commanding delivery, made every breakdown feel like a sledgehammer to the chest, and that filthy bass tone certainly helped. By the time they reached "The Hammer," the entire room was moving, with "Self-Destruct," "Antpile," and "Antpile 2" closing out their set in a flurry of crowdsurfing and circle pits. Kublai Khan’s set was a testament to the raw power of hardcore at its most unfiltered.

Finally, it was time for the legendary Killswitch Engage to take the Burton Cummings Theatre stage, and they did so in grand fashion, launching straight into "Strength of the Mind" with the precision and energy that has made them one of metalcore’s most enduring acts. Jesse Leach’s vocals soared through "Rose of Sharyn" and "Fixation on the Darkness," while Adam Dutkiewicz’s frenetic guitar work kept the crowd engaged.

Killswitch Engage. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Their set was a perfect balance of old and new, with "Beyond the Flames" and "Hate by Design" representing their more recent output, while classics like "My Curse" and "The End of Heartache" sent the crowd into a frenzy. The emotional weight of "The Arms of Sorrow" was palpable, and when they closed with "My Last Serenade," the entire theatre was singing along, fists in the air.

This show was nothing short of a masterclass in heavy music, with each band bringing their own unique style to the table. Whether it was the chilling death metal of Frozen Soul, the anthemic metalcore of Fit For A King, the hardcore fury of Kublai Khan, or the legendary presence of Killswitch Engage, every moment was a testament to the power of live metal. Winnipeg’s metal community showed up in force to sell out the show, proving once again that the city is more than ready for the heaviest of tours. This was a night that will be talked about for years to come.