Killswitch Engage Splits With Vocalist Howard Jones
Band Photo: Killswitch Engage (?)
Killswitch Engage has issued the following announcement about parting ways with Howard Jones and seeking a new vocalist:
"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."
Further details on the band's vocalist situation will be announced as they are made available, and in the mean time you can follow the latest on Killswitch Engage via Facebook.
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51 Comments on "Killswitch Engage Splits With Vocalist"
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Senior News Correspondent
I've never been a fan of Killswitch but there's something about Howard I really liked. Seemed like a pretty cool guy in interviews I read. Shame to hear this news.
Also, "Randy Blythe, since he'll likely be fired from LOG for bringing useless press to the band"
You hit the nail on the head there. Useless press that needs to stop. Don't think Blythe will be sacked though.
Member
I think the release should have read ""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 & Jesse."
You sure you got that correct xFiruath? ;-)
Member
.............This cannot be real. I wish they'd just tell us the fvcking reason. It can't be worse then anyone elses fvckin' problems, so why not just tell your fans why this sh!t is happening.
And now they're going into their 3rd vocalist? God dammit, what the fvck dude. I'm just baffled right now. Not many seem to like this band here, but a lot of metal listening when I was younger came from this band. I still listen to them. Howard is a machine. Certain bands can push through after the 2nd vocalist change but I feel like it won't work for this band. They're still gonna go through with it but I'm actually pretty scared of how that'll turn out. Good luck to them.
R10 basically said how this situation could be rectified. Best case scenario.
NP: Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache
Member
Not sure how or WHY Randy's name came up in this discussion. He's got a perfect thing going now,he aint going nowhere. And Jesse's got three projects in which he provides vocals for,so who knows even if he'd even come back. Hell,he even abandoned the underrated Seemless project,so he seems pretty content doing what he does. We will find out soon i guess.
Member
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JESSE'S FINALY BACK
(PS: @r10, do you really think jesse's not gonna go back with all the $monay$ involved with killswitch and all the $monay$ he's not getting with any of his current projects and all the $monay$ he could've made if killswitch had halted the tour for his father to get better and all the $monay$ that he wants and all the $monay$ that he needs...um...did i mention $monay$ yet?
Member
Gotta say I'm not surprised about this at all. Guess they realized they should just bring back Jesse instead of touring for 2 bands with essentially identical material. Too bad for Howard, brilliant vocalist IMO... always one of my favorites. Curious to see where he ends up.
Having spoke with Jesse at a times of grace show I would not count out a return. He said he has been asked several times to return but he didn't want to have them ask Howard to leave just so he could return. And now that Howard is gone I would love to see Jesse back where he belongs.
Member
Been a Killswitch Fan since I was 10, and this is really depressing news.
Honestly though, Jesse will 95%, to me, wont return. He's already made it clear years ago, saying that "That path is paved and is over with" And that he's moving on with his own new road in life. After Jesse toured with them for a couple of shows in 2010, that struck up the question, "Will he be returning?" again. He most likely wont guys.
Plus, Jesse has Times of Grace, The Empire Shall Fall (Main focus currently) And is working on a solo project, pushing that to go into the works soon. I dont think he's going to squeeze a huge band like Killswitch on that notch of bands. Also the fact that he probably doesnt want to.
Love Jesse, Love Howard. Its a shame. Still looking forward to Jesse's second part of the new Empire Shall Fall record, the latest EP was phenomenal.
Goodbye Howard, and thank you for the great music of my childhood.
Member
Guess the ol Killswitch dis-Engaged eh? ;)
Never much cared for this band's style, but I do respect the individual talent represented in within the collective
Ryan brother, times and circumstances change...what was 'carved in stone' yesterday isn't necessarily legible today...know what I mean?
Folks should (and the courageous ones WILL) go with the flow...wherever their chosen river happens to take them...
Member
Yeah Hellrat, I got ya brother. I guess you never know, I have met Jesse once and talked to him for a bit, not about Killswitch though. If anyone would break their molded plans to persue something thats been a lingering thought for a while, it would be him, especially since he is tight with Adam and Joel now. I guess we'll find out eventually.
Member
I don't know this for sure and I definitely don't want to start unsubstantiated rumors or anything, but I think I remember hearing that Howard had a problem with heroin and that was one of the reasons he had missed some shows recently. Like I said, I don't know where I read it but that was the first thing that came to mind when I read this article. I think I remember them saying he "had a problem" and "was sick". I might have read it on MU but not sure.
Member
Howard and Adam D. were a great comedy duo onstage. I'll miss that. I remember on Ozzfest '05,Adam D. dedicating a song to "all the 14 year old girls in Massachuesetts who wore braces,for keeping it metal". This while parading around in daisy duke shorts,wearing a friggin cape. Crazy and funny sh*t right there. Im hoping for the Jesse reunion,makes the most sense to me.
@36 Funny that you bring up Divine, as i have two points to make: Hung out with them the last time they came through Tucson, before they got rid of Tommy. Have to say, I would never have expected Dino to drop them to get back with FF from the way he acted that night, he seemed really happy with that band, so i wouldn't count out Jesse comin' back at all. I guess you always wanna go back to your first sucessful band. Second: after what I saw of Tommy the 2 times they came out to Tucson with him, I'd never give that dude a job in a band in my life. the first time they came through: he no-showed. Bassist had to put his balls in a vice to try to pull off the leads. Second time: dude did nothing but talk sh** for the few hours we hung out with those guys. Seriously would not shut up about how great he was.
Member
Pandora just freaked me out, I'm reading the comments on this page and the In Flames radio station just put on a Howard Jones KSE song.
I liked Howard's Vocals but he turned every song into a power ballad (at times). There have been sections of songs off the last 2 albums I have liked but for the most part I only like 1 or 2 songs start to finish because of stupid operatic ballad nonsense.
Bring back Jesse!
Member
Hey guys, just read this on Jesse Leach's official facebook page, on KSE...
"Stop trying to read in between the lines of my posts. If I have something to say, I WILL say it. For the moment I have no comments on KSE."
Seems like hes defiantly thinking about it. He would've said a straight no if he was sure he wasn't going to join back, but for now hes says no comment. Hmmm? Interesting.
Supporter
WOW!!! This saddens me... I am going to miss Howard being in the band. He was a great vocalist and the emotion and intensity that he poured into the bands songs were just so f***ing incredible.
I wonder if it had to do with those rumors about him knocking up that porn star named Allie Foster, back in 2010?
Well whatever the case, I wish you good luck in all of your endeavors Howard.
Supporter
Hey, I don't know if you guys read their Facebook page or not. But, I just read the statement Howard left on the their page. Read below:
"Message From Howard: 'Well, I guess I will shed a little light without going too deep. As some of you may know, I've had a pretty interesting couple of years to say the least battling with some personal issues. One of the low points being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that went unchecked for years. The rest of the band stuck with me through it, and to be honest they are the ones that kept me going. The whole experience definitely put a scare in me.
Recently we've all been in writing mode but somehow I couldn't get excited about the new album and all the touring that would go with it. The guys saw it before I did. In hindsight I now realize that my heart wasn't in it. I have had an amazing decade with KSE. I love Justin, MikeD, Joel and Adam for hanging in there and standing by me no matter how bad it was. I have so many good memories, and those are the ones that I will keep. Will I be involved in music again? Sure, I have been in bands for a little over half my life, can't stop now. Until then, get the new KsE album, it's going to be good. Thanks everyone for letting me try to entertain you, and I wish myself well in my future endeavors. Gone fishin' Howard"
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This just plain sucks! I don't know what the reason, but I hope it was his decision and not the bands cause Howard has done nothing but make the vocals deadly in KSE albums since 'the end of heartache'. I wish him well.
KSE, i dont know who you could get to fill his shoes...maybe Randy Blythe, since he'll likely be fired from LOG for bringing useless press to the band over the last month. Just make music.