Jesse Leach was Killswitch Engage's vocalist from 1999 to 2002, and then again returned to the band in 2012 after then-frontman Howard Jones exited. You'd think after having been in the band for a few years, going back would be an easy decision, right? Especially considering their exponential growth in size from then to now. According to Leach via Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta's The Jasta Show podcast (below), rejoining wasn't as simple as you'd think.
"I turned it down initially thinking that I couldn't sing Howard's songs. I didn't know if I could mentally wrap my head around a song like 'My Curse.' I couldn't really relate to it at the time. I thought to myself if I went on stage and tried to sing those songs I feel like a fraud. I think Howard has an incredible voice, very powerful."
Once Leach heard about the band trying out new vocalists, obviously things changed for him.
"At that point I had to really think about it because I didn't want some other dude – the third singer, that's a curse.
"I spent about a week and half with Howard's material and said to the management to put me on the list. It was a process. I think the first song that hit me was 'Arms Of Sorrow,' which is a pretty dark song.
"From there it kind of naturally happened where I was able to attach my own thoughts and emotions to the songs. I don't even think of it now as a Howard song or a Jesse song."
Leach then did Disarm the Descent in 2013 with the group and, if the whole "album every two years" cycle stays true, we'll be seeing something from the group in 2015!
[via Metal Hammer]
