Pop Breakrecently had a chat to Joel Strozel of Killswitch Engage about what it’s like to have Jesse Leach back in the band and what their plans for the next year are. Have a read below!
PB:The documentary forDisarm The Descentwas excellent; it captured the vibe of Killswitch reuniting with Jesse and reconnecting as a band. In a way, your band came full circle. You faced a difficult situation 10-years ago when Jesse left the band and Howard joined the fold. Jesse is back after Howard left. Could you elaborate on the experience?
JS:Going way back, one of the things we liked most about Howard was that he didnt try to be Jesse out of all the people we tried out. The same thing happened again when Jesse came back after Howard left. We said, How do you sound singing Howards songs? He did it and it sounds like him. We liked that he didnt try to be somebody hes not. Both guys are unique. Yeah, it was great having him come back. Its just like old friends reuniting after all these years. We kept in touch over the years and we did the Times of Grace project with Adam and Jesse. Everythings been great and the spirits are high!
PB:The cool thing about this tour, Killswitch and Lamb of God achieved their successes almost simultaneously.Alive or Just BreathingandAs The Palaces Burnpicked up momentum around the same time.The End of HeartacheandAshes of the Wakepropelled both bands in 2004. What is your relationship like with Lamb of God?
JS:Yeah, we kind of grew up together [laughs]. Its been awesome and we been lucky enough to tour with those guys a handful of times overseas and in the states. Weve been good friends throughout the years. Its weird; those guys have such a huge following! Its insane and their live following is crazy. Were very proud of those dudes and honored to be out supporting them.
PB:Are there any plans or ideas floating around for new music?
JS:We have been talking about that a lot more over the past month or so. There is a little bit more touring to do on this one. Over the first quarter of next year, well do some overseas stuff that we missed and maybe a few things here and there in the states. I think early through halfway next year, were probably going to start working on something. I dont know how long its going to take because it could be a song here or a song there. At some point, we would like to start thinking about new material. None of us want there to be four years in between records again.
PB:Do you see the return of Jesse Leach as the rebirth of Killswitch Engage?
JS:It feels like it. It feels like a whole new band but it also feels like Jesse never left. Its a natural thing and its very easy. Were really lucky it worked out. Its great because Jesse is such a positive guy. He keeps everybodys chin up really because hes excited about everything.
PB:How are you inspired by Jesses lyrical content?
JS:I always loved his lyrics throughout the years. The thing I like about his songs, you could listen to them in different ways. It will mean something to you and then youll ask him, Hey, what does that song mean? And youll be like, Oh, okay. Its not how I envisioned it but that makes sense too. I like his style of writing where its open for interpretation. He will say one thing, but you could really interpret it three or four different ways.
Check out the rest of the interview here
