Killswitch Engage Officially Announce Return Of Singer Jesse Leach
Thursday, 09 February 2012
Written by Jon Stickler
Killswitch Engage have officially announced they have filled the singer vacancy in the band with a familiar face: original vocalist Jesse Leach.
Leach sang on the band's 2000 first self-titled album and on their landmark 2002 'Alive Or Just Breathing'. Leach left the band in 2002, but his work on 'Alive Or Just Breathing' has always been revered by diehard fans. Things have come full circle a decade later, and Leach and the band couldn't be more pleased about this reunion.
The band revealed that Leach auditioned for the job he once held and pretty much blew everyone away. The band stated, “After much deliberation and careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that Jesse Leach has rejoined Killswitch Engage. Our job was to find the best person to fill Howard's shoes: a decision based on talent and not familiarity." They continued, "Truth be told, Jesse blew us away in auditions. The room seemed charged with electricity. He commanded both new and old material, and proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he wanted to do this. The choice became very clear and apparent."
The band are also psyched to share the news with fans, saying, "This change is very exciting. We know you're going to love it. This is truly a new era in KsE history and it is ready to shred your face off. So, please help us in welcoming Jesse back into the KsE family; he is a rare and great talent, a fact that older KsE fans have known for years. Here is to a killer new record and a bright future. The five of us cannot wait to write this record and play shows together and bring that feeling to our fans. It's been far too long."
The "new" guy himself also commented on his return to the band after a decade-long absence, saying, "It is a great honour to rejoin my brothers after all of these years. After some discussion and much reflection, it was obvious to me this was the path I was meant to take. We got together and jammed on the 'Howard-era songs,' as well as some Alive Or Just Breathing-era songs and we all felt the synergy."
He continued, "I look forward to writing the new record, since the demos sound absolutely amazing, as well as breathing new life and getting comfortable with the soulful songs Howard has written. It is a new chapter of my life filled with new and exciting challenges. I will give all that I can to honour the position I have been given and take nothing for granted. I will sing every note with all of my soul. I am very blessed and very thankful to be back in the KsE family! All things happen in their due time and now is the time for this reunion and new direction."
Killswitch Engage remain hard at work on their latest album, which follows 2009's second self-titled album.
Apr 22nd - Worcester, MA at Palladium (New England Metal and Hardcore Festival)
June 1st to 3rd - Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park
June 8th - Nickelsdorf, Austria at Pannonia Fields II (Nova Rock)
June 15th - Copenhagen, Denmark (Copenhell)
June 16th - Gothenburg, Sweden (Metaltown)
June 22nd - Milan, Italy at Arena Fiera Milano (Gods Of Metal)
June 24th - Dessel, Belgium at Festival Park ‘Stenehel’ (Graspop)
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