Killswitch Engage has announced that they continue on, but without vocalist Howard Jones [picture]. The official statement of the band can be read below:
“To our family, friends and fans: We have decided to continue on without Howard Jones as the singer of Killswitch Engage. We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we’ve had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well. He has left big shoes to fill, so we certainly have our work cut out for us to find the next singer of Killswitch, something we plan on making priority #1 going forward. Most importantly, thanks to all of you for all the support throughout the years and for sticking by us for all this time. We really do appreciate it and we very much look forward to having a new record for all of you in the not too distant future that we can all be proud of. Sincerely, Adam, Joel, Mike & Justin.”
Last month we reported the following:
Massachusetts metallers Killswitch Engage are continuing to write and demo material for the follow-up to their 2009 self-titled album. Bassist Mike D’Antonio writes in an online posting, Killswitch Engage should be in the studio in February/March, so expect a summer 2012 release for the new record.
We have a bit of a breather in the writing schedule so Adam [Dutkiewicz, guitar] can finish [producing] the [new] Shadows Fall record, but as of now we have eight demos finished for the new record. Everything is coming together nicely at the moment… My demos are pretty fast. Blast beats, anyone?”
The latest, self-titled album from Killswitch Engage sold 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on June 30, 2009 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Brendan O’Brien (AC/DC,Rage Against The machine) and co-produced by Adam Dutkiewicz.
Dutkiewicz and Killswitch guitarist Joel Stroeltzel spent the last few months touring with Times Of Grace, Adam‘s collaborative project with former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach. That band’s debut album, Hymn Of A Broken Man [CD review], came out in January via Roadrunner Records. Dutkiewicz recently revealed that he may also be involved in another group, which he described in an interview as “a death metal side project with the drummer from The Black Dahlia Murder and the singer from Cannibal Corpse.
Killswitch Engage bassist Mike D’Antonio has been busy with his Death Ray Vision his new project with Shadows Fall frontman Brian Fair and former Overcast/Seemless guitarist Pete Cortese.
Related articles:
Times Of Grace – Hymn Of A Broken Man [CD review]
‘Killswitch Engage’ To Begin Work On New Album [August. 2011]
‘Times Of Grace’ Singer Working On Solo Album [Sept. 2011]