In a brand new interview with Finland’s Chaoszine, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach spoke about his method to writing lyrics, significantly because it pertains to the band’s upcoming album, “This Consequence”, which is due on February 21 through Steel Blade Information. Requested if he’s, more often than not, in a darkish place when he’s writing KILLSWITCH lyrics, Jesse responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Sure, that is nearly all of form of the place I come from, is sitting in my darkness, understanding my darkness after which discovering an answer to it. It is form of the components I like to make use of ‘trigger I at all times wish to inject some positivity.”
He continued: “And two factors. One, I feel there are a few songs on this file that don’t finish on a optimistic observe. I consider ‘The Fall Of Us’. I consider ‘Damaged Glass’, ‘The place It Dies’… And I feel that is vital. I feel it is vital to place out one thing that simply feels therapeutic and would not essentially should have a optimistic message. After which on the flip facet, the tune ‘I Consider’ off the file, which is one hundred pc a optimistic tune, and I used to be in an excellent temper after I wrote it, I used to be in a temper of hopefulness and positivity, and I am pleased with that too. And I feel you want the distinction between the 2 as an artist — properly, at the least for me. I like the range of pertaining to completely different feelings, pertaining to completely different sonic tones, completely different genres of music, as a substitute of simply form of doing the one factor, like, ‘KILLSWITCH is strictly this kind of band.’ Extra energy to people who find themselves like that, however for us, I benefit from the range of our sound, I benefit from the range of how we’re in a position to speak about love on this space after which political corruption on this space and perhaps religious awakening and the will to know our existence proper right here. So I like and benefit from the range of all of that. So that you can be in a optimistic headspace and write a tune, however you skirt the high-quality line of making an attempt to not be tacky, saying what you are feeling, and I feel we achieved that. Perhaps I am flawed.”
Requested if the darkish occasions we live in proper now, with the world in such a state of madness, sorrow and rage, are mirrored in his lyrics, Jesse mentioned: “Yeah, and I feel that is why the album sounds the way in which it does and has the lyrics that it does, as a result of I am very intuned. No less than I needed to form of flip my consideration to what we have all been via — from COVID, the entire pandemic until now, the divisiveness, individuals at one another’s throats, being divided, form of political ideologies, non secular warfare. In all places you look, there’s one thing to be harped upon that’s unfavourable and darkish, and I feel it is vital to acknowledge that however to not get misplaced in it, to not enable it to swallow you to despair. Even one of many traces in one of many songs, ‘Aftermath’: ‘do not give in to despair.’ You’ll be able to’t give in to it.
“This file was very a lot about sitting in my struggling, sitting within the struggling of the world, reflecting upon it after which shifting via it with a righteous anger the place I wished to form of wake individuals up,” he defined. “Like, you do not have to suppose this manner. You do not have to stay on this divisive world. You do not have to close anyone down as a result of they do not agree with you. You’ll be able to have compassion on that individual. You’ll find your self in a spot of understanding the place you’re taking that individual’s perspective and also you attempt to perceive why they suppose that means and perhaps have somewhat little bit of a discourse about it. Perhaps you will be taught one thing about your self. Perhaps you will acquire some knowledge and understanding. The world we stay in would not need that. And I very a lot need that. So, to me, what I am writing, the righteous anger I am coming via could be very a lot of a revolutionary way of thinking, making an attempt to carry individuals collectively for the larger good for all of us. As a result of the powers that be, the people who find themselves in management — identify them, whoever you wish to name ’em or no matter, entities, beings — there’s a motive why they’re pushing, via social media, via mainstream media, divisiveness, wars, negativity. Good issues do not normally make the headlines, and there is a motive for that. So learn between the traces, attempt to concentrate to what’s going on within the periphery and use your discernment to know why that is being thrown at you. And you may struggle towards it. You’ll be able to develop into the change that this world wants inside your self. And it may very well be quite simple issues, beginning with the way in which you deal with individuals, your neighbors, somebody you see on the grocery retailer. These little acts of kindness and compassion have a ripple impact that may create a gorgeous, optimistic change that you do not even perceive. And that, to me, is the place I am coming from. If my music can resonate in any technique to create some form of a optimistic ripple, that’s the reason I do it. Assume for your self.”
Requested if writing lyrics is at all times like a remedy session for him as properly, Jesse mentioned: “For higher or for worse, sure, it’s. Music is unquestionably certainly one of my many therapies. I feel it is vital to develop and to form of admit while you’re not in an excellent place, admit while you’re flawed — and alter your habits. And I feel individuals who do not do this, who get caught of their consolation zones, who get caught in relationships the place issues aren’t nice and also you simply form of cope with it, I’ve by no means been about that. I like the thought of constant to evolve as a human. I feel that goes hand in hand with what I used to be simply speaking about being open to listen to individuals and having the ability to form of change your perspective. I’ve modified my opinion and perspective on many issues — faith, politics, the 2 scorching matter buttons that folks cannot speak about. Once I’ve had conversations about these two issues, I’ve modified my ideology somewhat bit. I am, like, ‘Oh, I by no means considered it that means. That is actually fascinating you say that. I am gonna do my very own analysis on that since you mentioned that and provides your thought an opportunity as a result of I am curious why you suppose that.’ So I feel with private development, it is the identical factor. Don’t remain caught. the outdated phrase that I am undecided if it applies in Finland, however ‘you possibly can’t educate an outdated canine new tips’ is one thing we are saying right here on this nation. I fully disagree. You’ll be able to. You completely can. You’ll be able to change your self. And I feel it is vital to adapt and to develop and to realize extra knowledge. Why would you not? Why would you wish to keep stagnant when you possibly can develop and evolve as a human?”
As beforehand reported, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will return to the street this winter and spring. Their upcoming winter headline tour options assist from KUBLAI KHAN TX, FIT FOR A KING and FROZEN SOUL and kicks off on March 5 in Nashville and runs via April 12 in Portland, Maine. The band has additionally introduced dates for Might, which is able to characteristic assist from SHADOWS FALL, FIT FOR A KING and BOUNDARIES.
When “This Consequence” was first introduced late final yr, Leach mentioned in an announcement: “Making this file lit a hearth beneath my ass and made me rethink the whole lot. It needed to be subsequent degree. It needed to be completely different sufficient for individuals to actually acknowledge we’re placing forth an effort-or what is the level of doing this? There was no repeating ourselves. It was very fastidiously deliberate out and passionately written. It seems like KILLSWITCH, but there’s additionally a recent spirit to it.”
This time round, the group emphasised working collectively face-to-face in a Massachusetts rehearsal spot. The method enabled them to use the strain on each aspect. On the collective urging of his bandmates, Jesse pored over his phrases like by no means earlier than.
“We pushed him to do extra vocal demos and had been tremendous robust on him,” recalled guitarist and producer Adam Dutkiewicz. “He was so open to suggestions although, and he positively bought the lyrics proper. I find it irresistible when he and I are face-to-face, and concepts are flying round. We work particularly properly collectively once we’re within the warmth of the second. The entire demoing made for a greater file, and there was a lot communication between all the band members.”
“It felt like everybody put a ton of effort into this,” bassist Mike D’Antonio added. “It is the primary time since ‘Alive Or Simply Respiration’ that we actually hashed the whole lot out collectively in the identical room. It was a mixed effort, and there are even some belongings you’ve by no means heard from KILLSWITCH.”
Jesse culled inspiration from “hours on Thesaurus.com,” studying as many books as attainable, and interacting with followers on the street in between. He confessed, “I discovered my voice once more.”
“I by no means thought of myself to be part of mainstream society,” he went on. “I’ve at all times been within the center. To me, this file is concerning the penalties of our actions as people as we have interaction in struggle, hatred, division, and falling in step with management. Historical past repeats itself. We will should reply for our actions-whether it is how we deal with the earth or one another. There will likely be an rebellion and a backlash from nature. Trigger-and-effect is a driving theme. We are going to face a consequence.”
“This Consequence” is KILLSWITCH ENGAGE‘s ninth album total, and sixth with Leach, who rejoined the band in 2012.
