Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band that formed in 1999. Their music is characterized by its heavy sound, combining elements of metal and hardcore punk. One of their most well-known songs is "My Curse," which was released in 2006. "My Curse" is a powerful and emotional song that explores themes of loss, heartbreak, and regret. It begins with a haunting guitar riff that sets the tone for the rest of the track. The lyrics speak of a deeply painful breakup and the overwhelming sense of despair that follows.
Here, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz talks us through My Curse’s inception, chronicling the somewhat tumultuous creation of the song’s lyrics, and why he’s still happy to play it every night over a decade since its release…
Here, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz talks us through My Curse s inception, chronicling the somewhat tumultuous creation of the song s lyrics, and why he s still happy to play it every night over a decade since its release. I always feel like the songs that come together the quickest are the ones that are the easiest to listen to because they just feel right from the beginning.
The lyrics speak of a deeply painful breakup and the overwhelming sense of despair that follows. The chorus of "My Curse" is particularly memorable, with lead singer Howard Jones belting out the lyrics "I watched you walk away, helpless with nothing to say. I'm left with shame, powerless as the love slips away.
How I wrote My Curse, by Killswitch Engage's Adam D
Their 2006 album, As Daylight Dies, was a landmark release for Killswitch Engage. Not only did its special edition spawn a cover of Dio’s Holy Diver that’s gone on to become a staple of the band’s live repertoire, but lead single My Curse had an even greater impact, with then-vocalist Howard Jones’ tale of heartache striking a chord with metal fans the world over.
Here, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz talks us through My Curse’s inception, chronicling the somewhat tumultuous creation of the song’s lyrics, and why he’s still happy to play it every night over a decade since its release…
“It’s fun to be talking about My Curse, because it all happened so long ago. I know for a fact that, musically, I wrote that entire song, and the writing of it was a pretty normal process: I got my laptop going, started out with the initial riff, and then I think the first verse was what I wrote next, and it went from there. That process of starting out with a riff and building from that point is usually how I work. One riff led to another, and then I took the finished product to the rest of the band. They liked it, so we went ahead with things in a very democratic way – it’s never been the case in our band that one of us can be like, ‘I think this song is great and we’re recording it no matter what.’ The approval of everyone is always required.
“In terms of the music, My Curse was one of the easiest songs we’ve ever written – we’ve had much harder times with other songs. Often we’ll have the spine of a track but some of us won’t like certain bits, so then we chop it apart and the process goes on and on. I always feel like the songs that come together the quickest are the ones that are the easiest to listen to because they just feel right from the beginning. There’s definitely something to be said for that.
“Once we got into the studio to record it was largely business as usual, but My Curse was one for which Howard wrote the lyrics, and the idea he started with was great. He loves singing about girls, and that’s what the song is about, really. I tried to offer my input to Howard regarding the lyrics because although the initial idea was good, I never really liked the chorus – I thought it could be hookier. We actually got into a spat about it in the studio: Howard insisted the lyrics were perfect and he didn’t want to change anything, but I thought they needed more impact – the words just weren’t doing it for me. We were going around in circles with the lyrics but they never changed, so what you have with My Curse is Howard’s original idea that he refused to alter, despite my protestations. But a bunch of people liked it, so I guess I was fucking wrong! That disagreement between us was the only real issue we came across when putting the song together.
“I don’t remember much about making the video other than that it had something to do with a book. As a band we don’t really like being in our videos; it’s not much fun, and performance videos are so daft, anyway. It’s a band in a room and a director going, ‘Pretend you’re rocking out!’ It’s so lame and stupid. We wanted to keep the performance side to the My Curse video to a minimum and focus more on the storyline and the theme of love that’s being expressed in the lyrics. Like with all of our videos, we wanted to keep out of the limelight as much as possible!
“I still enjoy playing My Curse live – as long as there’s a crowd reaction, I’m into it. Obviously, given its popularity, we’ve played it at every show since it was released, so I’ve definitely played it enough, but if people keep loving it the way they do, we’ll keep performing it. I feel like My Curse is a good representation of everything we’ve done throughout our career: it’s got some singing, some yelling… but I guess the one thing I do wish is that we were best known for something more metal. But hey, what are you gonna do? It’s a popular song for a reason, and if My Curse is the track we’re remembered for, then so be it.
“Any time a song of ours does well like that it blows me away. It’s nice to see people latching on to our music, but I never really understood why people liked the lyrics and chorus of My Curse so much because it’s nothing amazing to me. That being said, it’s a simple message that’s being portrayed, so I guess that helps people relate to it. What do I know, really? I don’t know shit!”
Their 2006 album, As Daylight Dies, was a landmark release for Killswitch Engage. Not only did its special edition spawn a cover of Dio’s Holy Diver that’s gone on to become a staple of the band’s live repertoire, but lead single My Curse had an even greater impact, with then-vocalist Howard Jones’ tale of heartache striking a chord with metal fans the world over.
" These lines capture the raw emotion and heartache that the song conveys. The song's bridge section features a soaring guitar solo, adding to the intensity and energy of the track. The music builds up to a climactic ending, with Jones passionately screaming the final lines of the song. "Killswitch Engage" has been known for their ability to seamlessly blend harsh screams with melodic singing, and "My Curse" is a perfect example of this. The song showcases Jones' powerful vocal range, as he effortlessly transitions between melodic verses and aggressive screams. Over the years, "My Curse" has become one of Killswitch Engage's signature songs. It has resonated with fans around the world, becoming an anthem of sorts for those who have experienced heartbreak and loss. Its relatable lyrics and infectious melodies make it a standout track in the band's discography. In conclusion, "My Curse" by Killswitch Engage is a powerful and emotional song that explores the pain and heartache of a breakup. Its catchy melodies and intense energy have made it a fan favorite and a standout track in the band's repertoire..
Reviews for "The Dual Nature: Balancing the Killswitch and My Curse"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Killswitch Engage: My Curse". The lead singer's vocals were so grating and the lyrics were cliché. The instrumentation felt generic and lacked any originality. Overall, it felt like a forgettable and unremarkable album. Definitely not my cup of tea.
2. John - 2 stars - "Killswitch Engage: My Curse" is just another cookie-cutter metal album. The songs all sound the same, with the same heavy guitar riffs and aggressive screaming vocals. I was hoping for something more unique and inventive, but this album fell flat for me. It offers nothing new or exciting to the genre and feels like a rehash of everything we've heard before.
3. Amanda - 1 star - I found "Killswitch Engage: My Curse" to be incredibly uninspiring. The music lacked depth and complexity, and the lyrics were shallow and unoriginal. It felt like the band was just going through the motions, without any genuine passion or creativity. I was expecting much more from Killswitch Engage, but this album left me bored and unimpressed.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Killswitch Engage: My Curse", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The production quality was poor, with muddy and unclear sound. The band seemed to rely too heavily on clichéd metal tropes, without adding anything fresh or innovative. Overall, it was a lackluster effort from a band that has shown they can do better.
5. Emily - 1 star - "Killswitch Engage: My Curse" was a complete disappointment for me. The songs lacked any memorable hooks or melodies, and the energy felt forced rather than genuine. The lyrics were also repetitive and uninspired, making the album feel like a repetitive slog. Overall, it failed to capture my attention or leave any lasting impression.