Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach picks 10 albums to listen to while on a hike in the woods

In addition to fronting the veteran metalcore bands Killswitch Engage and Times of Grace, Jesse Leach is also enamored with hiking and he’s been documenting his nature endeavors with a series of videos. And now, he’s combined his love of hiking and music to make us a list of ’10 Albums To Listen To While On A Hike In The Woods.’

The list ranges from Neil Young to goth legends Dead Can Dance to DJ Shadow‘s pioneering instrumental hip hop pioneer album Endtroducing to rising indigenous black metal act Blackbraid to Wye Oak‘s 2011 indie rock gem Civilian, with plenty of other cool stuff in between. Read on to check out Jesse’s full list and what he had to say about each one.

Killswitch Engage’s own new album This Consequence comes out this Friday (2/21) via Metal Blade, and we’ve got an exclusive “engulfing moss” vinyl variant up for pre-order in the BV shop, along with some exclusive reissues of other Killswitch records. The band also have tour dates coming up and those are listed below.

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10 Albums To Listen To While On A Hike In The Woods, by Jesse Leach

Dead Can Dance – Spirit Chaser
One of my all time favorites from start to finish. Lush, diverse, beautiful and haunting. This is always in rotation when in nature.

Opeth – Damnation
Dark and soothing this album puts me in another world in my mind.

Myrkur – Folkesange
This just sounds like the mountains. The whole vibe of this album is deep forest and ancient culture.

Wye Oak – Civilian
There is a melancholic poetry to this album. The lazy sounding vocals add to the depths of relaxation this album puts me in.

Health –Death Magic
The blend between electronic and rock on this album is just right. The sarcastic poetic lyrics make me crack a smile. I love how it feels like an album about love but it’s very much not. Clever and great songs!

Neil Young – After the Goldrush
I was raised in this and I was raised going camping and exploring nature. This is pure nostalgia for me. That and it is such a classic!

Orcas – Yearling
This album has a warm, melodic vibe throughout. I get lost in the music and almost forget I’m listening to it. Great for long walks out in the forest.

DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
This album is just trippy and full of sonic textures. Upon each listen I hear new things. The beats and rhythms keep my head nodding while the samples and sounds have me soaring above the clouds.

Blackbraid – Blackbraid 2
Pure Native American Black Metal. Great nature based lyrics, interesting riffs and tones. The songwriting keeps you engaged and the soaring guitar expands your mind.

Alice In Chains – Unplugged
Flawless and untouchable classics album. I can put this on repeat and not get tired of hearing it. This is a band at its peak.

Killswitch Engage — 2025 Tour Dates

with Kublai Khan TX, Fit For A King, Frozen Soul:

3/5 — Nashville, TN — The Pinnacle
3/6 — Chesterfield, MO — The Factory
3/8 — Fayetteville, AR — JJ’s Live
3/9 — Oklahoma City, OK — The Criterion
3/11 — El Paso, TX — Don Haskins Center Arena
3/13 — Las Vegas, NV — The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
3/14 — Reno, NV — Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
3/15 — Wheatland, CA — Hard Rock Live
3/17 — Garden City, ID — Revolution Concert House
3/18 — Seattle, WA — The Paramount
3/19 — Vancouver, BC — PNE Forum
3/21 — Penticton, BC — South Okanagan Events Centre
3/22 — Tsuut’ina, AB — Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
3/24 — Winnipeg, MB — Burton Cummings Theatre
3/27 — Peoria, IL — Peoria Civic Center
3/28 — Waukee, IA— Vibrant Music Hall
3/29 — La Vista, NE — The Astro
3/30 — Kansas City, MO — The Midland Theatre
4/1 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live 20 Monroe
4/3 — Corbin, KY — The Corbin Arena
4/4 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE
4/5 — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall
4/6 — Greensboro, NC — Greensboro Special Events Center
4/8 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall
4/9 — Buffalo, NY — Buffalo RiverWorks
4/11 — Laval, QC —Place Bell
4/12 — Portland, ME — Cross Insurance Arena

with Shadows Fall, Fit For A King, Boundaries:

5/8 — Columbus, OH— Sonic Temple*
5/10 — Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre
5/11 — Memphis, TN — Minglewood Hall
5/13 — New Orleans, LA — The Fillmore New Orleans
5/14 — Birmingham, AL — Avondale Brewing Company
5/16 — Daytona Beach. FL — Welcome To Rockville*
5/17 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
5/18 — Virginia Beach, VA — The Dome

*Festival Date