Killswitch Engage Drop B-Side Track ‘Blood Upon The Ashes’ For Animal Shelter Fundraiser

Killswitch Engage is streaming ‘Blood Upon The Ashes’, an unreleased track from This Consequence, as part of The Dogs Of Hope compilation supporting an Alabama animal shelter.

Killswitch Engage have released a previously unheard track, and it’s for a good cause.

Titled ‘Blood Upon The Ashes’, the song was recorded during the sessions for the band’s 2025 album This Consequence, but didn’t make the final cut. Now, it’s found a home on The Dogs Of Hope, a benefit compilation supporting the Randolph County Animal Shelter in rural Alabama. The shelter is a no-kill, privately run facility that’s saved thousands of animals without public funding.

For bassist Mike D’Antonio, the track’s late arrival is bittersweet.

“‘Blood Upon The Ashes’ is the one that got away,” he said. “Although I was fighting hard for it, this track didn’t get the votes to be included in the final, 10-song This Consequence record. So close. Alas, one of my favorite songs is now a B-side. Have no fear, however – The Dogs Of Hope animal shelter benefit is the perfect place for it to live and regain new life. I’m really excited for people to hear it ’cus every time I do, there’s regret for not including it on the album. Enjoy.”

You can check out the track below:

The Dogs of Hope by Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage Vocalist Jesse Leach described the track as being rooted in both metaphor and reality, saying it was inspired by the human spirit and the horrors of war.

“‘Blood Upon The Ashes’ is a song about struggle, sacrifice, and redemption,” he explained. “The lyrics read a bit like a story that’s inspired by what we go through in the human experience. I was picturing a war-torn city and people coming together to rebuild it – while the ‘blood’ signifies the sacrifice people make for each other in times of need. As much as it’s based on humanity and everything people are going through in a world riddled with war, it’s also a post-apocalyptic story.”

The Dogs Of Hope features a stacked lineup including Alex Skolnick, Snapcase, Deadguy, and Walter Schreifels covering Pink Floyd. Pre-orders for the compilation are open now.

Here’s the full The Dogs of Hope track listing:

1. Walter Schreifels – ‘Pigs On The Wing (Part 1)’ (Pink Floyd cover)
2. Alex Skolnick – ‘Disruption’
3. Killswitch Engage – ‘Blood Upon The Ashes’
4. Snapcase – ‘Back To Square One’ (Zero Tolerance cover)
5. Jeromes Dream – ‘The Seventeen Downton’
6. Death Ray Vision – ‘Only Wolves Remains’
7. Orange 9mm – ‘Pretend I’m Human’ (2025)
8. Deadguy – ‘Makeshift Black Metal Smasher’
9. Lybica – ‘Phaser’
10. Roman Candle – ‘How To Be Considered When You’re Not In The Room’
11. Drought – ‘Abattoir’
12. Enforced – ‘Radiation Sickness’
13. Taken – ‘D4’
14. Walter Schreifels – ‘Pigs On The Wing (Part 2)’ (Pink Floyd cover)

Killswitch Engage may not have made room for Blood Upon The Ashes on their latest LP, but the track doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s a fully-formed release with the same weight, power and melodic edge the band is known for, and now it comes with a side of charity.