Killswitch Engage: Jesse Leach Talks Howard Jones Collaboration, Shares One Line of Music
The world was understandably chuffed to learn that Killswitch Engage’s next album will include a duet between current and former vocalists Jesse Leach and Howard Jones (Light the Torch, Blood Has Been Shed). So you’ll probably be even more chuffed to read Leach’s social media statement about the collaboration. Not just because it’s full of good vibes. Also because it kinda accidentally reveals the song’s title (“Signal Fire”) and features a brief-but-enticing sample of HoJo’s vocals:
“Because yah all loosin yah damn minds over my last post (we are stoked too the song is bad ass)! So here’s me lip syncing to Howard as he sings live (happening in the room behind me with the door open) at the studio today. Can you say uh HUGE voice! Straight up ‘black molasses’ ha ha… it was such a great day talking mental Health with Hojo. A ton of laughs, stories and comradery! The song is about keeping hope in dark times and helping out those in need. The lyrics were written shortly after Howard’s band @lightthetorchband had announced the new direction and new name. The song was written even before we all hung out a few months back. This song was in fact written with Howard in mind and our connection through our similar mental illnesses. I mean now that I’ve hung with this guy a few times, it’s ‘crazy’ (pun intended) how similar we are. We are brothers in Metal, anxiety, Hardcore music, love of medicinal marijuana and fighting depression. I had such a fun time listening to Adam bust Howard’s balls like he does mine. We both have that ‘Hardcore kid’ push when it comes to vocals and the sharp pitch is our excited ‘go to’ when singing (although his big vibrato truly makes it sound all good tho! We may be very different sounding voices but in truth we are similar in many ways in our minds. Today was epic, it was HUGE for the legacy of Killswitch, it was fun and it felt like what we were doing was important. I plan on using this song to help continue to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Both Howard and I have a very strong outspoken stance on the subject and I will use this to help with the cause! @hopefortheday I’m looking at you, we will talk soon! Strength in Unity! Nothing but support and love for ‘Light The Torch!’ Today was a good day! OH and if you haven’t BUY the new ‘Light The Torch’ already! @killswitchengage@lightthetorchband #Duet#killswitchengage #kserecordingsessions#LightTheTorch #JesseLeach#HowardJones #Anxiety #Depression#MentalHealth #HonorTheLegacy#mentalhealthawareness#ItsOkNotToBeOk #SignalFire #Hope#SuicidePrevention #MedicalMarijuana#MarijuanaIsAMedicine #LegalizeIt#Metal #Hardcore”
So that’s all swell. Still, I’d advise fans to manage their expectations. Not because I think the song will be bad, but because I think it could have a hard time living up to unrealistic expectations. So just take some deep breaths. We’ll probably get to hear this thing before 2019.
[via Metal Injection]
