Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red & Light the Torch unite for 'The Atonement Tour'

February 8, 2022

Three metal powerhouses have hit the road early in 2022 at last as Killswitch Engage have taken August Burns Red and Light the Torch out with them for the 'Atonement Tour' after numerous delays during the pandemic keeping the trio from the road.

This powerhouse of a headline tour for Killswitch Engage supporting their album "Atonement" marked the culmination of 20 years of iconic metal history hitting the round for a truly unique tour. Killswitch has long been a touring mainstay in the metal scene whether being helmed on vocals by Jesse Leach in the early years (and now) or Howard Jones during the stretch in the middle. Now, fans were treated to the best of both worlds as the two came together on this tour, with Jones own band Light the Torch starting things off each night. Jones is no stranger to Killswitch fans and the crowd at the Sherman Theater welcomed him like an old friend when the band hit the stage.


The crowd of some 1,400 strong metal fans that came out on a Monday night to open up the pit gave Light the Torch as much energy as they would have a headliner on that stage. Jones remains impressive on vocals and the band around him are all also veterans in their own right who delivered across all parts to give the packed Sherman Theater an opening set with a high bar to beat. However, shortly after their departure from the stage the night was set to take a turn for the heavier as Pennsylvania legends August Burns Red were set to remind their home state what they can do.

Across an 11 song set August Burns Red brought the intensity for the Sherman Theater that resulted in the first crowd surfers of the night to make their way across the barricade. The band's expansive catalog allowed them to craft a diverse setlist from all eras of their discography that was also incredibly heavy for the Killswitch Engage diehards in the crowd. Lead singer, Jake Luhrs, has always been a stand out live vocalist in the new era of metal and with age he has continued to grow into a true frontman as he commanded the stage during his performance. Alongside him the rest of the band provided the same stability in their performances whether it was a guitar rip from JB Brubaker or a drum line from Matt Greiner. August Burns Red collectively impressive set, combined with their well crafted setlist and very over the top production allowed them to deliver a performance made for an arena, not a theater or club. This Pennsylvanian band has continued to rise through the ranks over the year and they reminded their home state fans at the Sherman Theater that they aren't done yet but for now they continue on the 'Atonement Tour' with Killswitch Engage to perform to packed venues every night.

The saga of Killswitch Engage across the past 20 years is truly that of a poetry in the metal world as they rose to colossal heights early on and while the journey here hasn't always been the clearest at times they remain as relevant as when they debuted into the scene. 'The Atonement Tour' has resulted in packed venues nationwide so far and the band was greeted to a massive crowd on a Monday night in Stroudsburg, Pennslyvania at the Sherman Theater. While the venue is a staple within the state it is by no means a major city play which made the colossal turn out on an early weeknight even more impressive by Killswitch Engage.


The band's set was brutal, intense and as all good metal sets should be full of crowd surfing and moshing. The majority of shows on this tour have had revolving setlists and the Sherman Theater was no exception as the band made sure mainstays like "My Last Serenade" remained in the set but took some risks as they debuted "World Ablaze" for the first time with Jesse Leach singing. The band's 18 song set was a rollercoaster that left many in the crowd exhausted from the back to back to back approach of the band's live set. Leach prowled the stage all night long while eager fans flowed into the arms of security guards who kept them from getting any closer to the stage but that didn't keep them from reaching out for a fist bump from any band member in reach.


The evening culminated in a once in a lifetime encore as Howard Jones, front man during the era of the band while Jesse Leach had taken a break, re-joined the band for a closing set of 3 massive songs.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Trivium and Jinjer bring the 'Ascend Above The Ashes Tour' to Lancaster

By Matt Christine • November 14, 2025
Trivium is back on the road in 2025 — and this time, they’ve brought Jinjer along for a blistering run across the U.S. on the “Ascend Above The Ashes Tour.” Over the last four years, the rock and metal world has seen a wild expansion of dream-team co-headlining and powerful support on tours, the kind fans never thought they’d see outside of wish lists. Rising metal powerhouse Jinjer has been in the international spotlight ever since they were forced to exit Slipknot’s 2022 tour to return home and support Ukraine’s war efforts. In the years since, they’ve become global ambassadors for both their country and the metal community. And even as the supporting act on this tour, the band was greeted by a massive turnout and a stage setup that matched their well-earned status in the scene. Their addition on this tour with Trivium was a match made in heaven (or hell) and a perfect compliment sonically. The band's 9 song setlist got the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers flowing ahead of the main event that evening. It may have been a Wednesday night , but you wouldn’t have known it based on the crowd’s energy leading up to Trivium’s 9:50 p.m. arrival. Pennsylvania showed once again why it has a reputation as one of the weirdest and yet strongest markets in the country for rock and metal. When the band’s massive stage slowly illuminated to reveal a dramatic backdrop, Trivium launched into their set with explosive force as strobes burst to blinding effects all around them. Trivium's 14 song set was a blistering pace of their greatest hits and new material that left little time for the band to chat with the crowd as they moved quickly from song to song. Frontman Matt Heafy nearly blended into the elaborate backdrop thanks to a jacket patterned almost identically, but he was impossible to miss as he tore across the stage from mic to mic, shredding through one technical assault after another. Much like Jinjer’s opening performance, Trivium delivered a razor-sharp, 80-minute set that pulled from across their expansive catalog. From the first crushing riff to the final crack of the snare, they gave Lancaster everything they had — and the packed pit gave it right back. Opening nights can often feel unpredictable, but Lancaster showed up ready, proving once again that this city doesn’t just attend shows — it sets the bar. If the rest of the “Ascend Above Ashes Tour” follows this lead, Trivium and Jinjer are in for one unforgettable run.

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

By Matt Christine • November 12, 2025
Taylor Acorn’s return to Pennsylvania to the Arrow at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown was a homecoming a long time coming after a massive year of touring and festival appearances. Just a few weeks after performing at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas - and fresh off wrapping The Summer School Tour - Taylor Acorn returned to Pennsylvania with clear momentum behind her. Touring in support of her newly released LP, she arrived at The Arrow at the Archer in Allentown with a setlist shaped around this new chapter of her sound. The fresh material wasn’t just sprinkled into the night; it was the thread that held the entire show together. And while Acorn hasn’t forgotten her roots in the pop-punk world, it’s obvious that these newer songs give her a wider lane to move in and let her shine bright onstage. The Arrow itself proved to be an ideal setting. The room was full but comfortable, with that sweet spot where you can feel the crowd’s energy without fighting for space. Warm lighting and a clear sightline from almost anywhere in the venue helped create a sense of connection the moment Acorn stepped out. It didn’t take long for the entire place to settle into a rhythm—heads nodding, hands in the air, and plenty of voices shouting back the lines they knew. Between songs, Acorn kept the energy light and the banter genuine. She shared quick stories, poked fun at herself, and made it clear she appreciated being back in her home state. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overly rehearsed—it all stayed grounded in the good-natured vibe that filled the room. By the end of the night, The Arrow at the Archer felt less like a tour stop and more like a celebration of where Acorn is right now: an artist still rooted in the scene that raised her, but growing fast and sounding sharper than ever. The crowd felt it, the room carried it, and Acorn made sure everyone left buzzing. A strong show, a great space, and the kind of night that makes you want to catch her again before the tour moves on.

Kaleo bring the 'Mixed Emotions Tour' to from Iceland to Allentown

By Matt Christine • September 19, 2025
On September 16, 2025, Icelandic rockers KALEO brought their Mixed Emotions Tour to Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, with Quarters of Change and Júníus Meyvant on the bill.