Killswitch Engage have parted ways with vocalist Howard Jones.
No reason for the split or replacement singer have been given yet. Jones, 41, replaced original singer Jesse Leach in 2002, after the release of their breakthrough "Alive Or Just Breathing" album. He has also handled lead vocals in the band Blood Has Been Shed, and released three studio albums with them.
Killswitch Engage just posted the following statement on their official Facebook page:
"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.
A shock, and a disappointment. Interesting to see who they'll get in as replacement. I'd be open to Jesse returning, so long as it didn't affect Times of Grace.
Saw this coming a mile off, they've been having trouble in the band for a long time now. Kind of read the negativity and lack of imagination in the lyrics of their last album as a sign that things weren't too great also.
When I saw the post they wrote yesterday on Facebook, I wasnt expecting it at all. Its a real shame because he has such a great clean voice but also some real raspy screamo stuff! Shame to see him leave
A shock, and a disappointment. Interesting to see who they'll get in as replacement. I'd be open to Jesse returning, so long as it didn't affect Times of Grace.
I don't think jesse would fit in with the current songs kse play, their sound has evolved too much from Alive Or Just Breathing, and honestly I believe that Howard was one of the main reasons why they can be easily distinguished from other metalcore bands.
I'm indifferent to Howard leaving, he's a good guy and all and a good vocalist but KSE has been going downhill from the moment he stepped in and Jesse left. Just my opinion.
Now if Jesse steps back in, I wouldn't mind forgetting all about Howard.
Just started to listen them again two days ago. One of my favorite bands of all time. This is some very sad news, but I try to be open about the next singer. It must haven't been easy to accept Howard in the band after Jesse's departure.
I'm disappointed because I love Howard's vocals. At the same time, they've had to have people fill in for him because he's blown out his voice in the past. Does it necessarily have to be an entirely personal reason they parted ways? Another thing that I'm excited about it is to see if their next album sounds different from the last 3, because they all sounded WAY too similar.
I can't believe this! their last album was 100% perfect and howards vocals just ruled on it (as well as all their previous albums with him.....this sucks!
Would've been kind of cool if they left the vocals to Adam. I think he is the best replacement they could get. Then they don't need any new guys to join Killswitch either. Wouldn't been the same with a random guy joining the band, even though he would be good. The other option is to welcome back Jesse.
NOOOOO Howard was an epic vocalist and I'm probably the only person that thinks it, but I preferred his vocals to Jesse's. Jesse was great don't get me wrong, but I always felt Howard had that special "something" that made Killswitch so distinguishable from other metalcore bands..
That's a shame, one of my favorite vocalists. But it may be good for the band, they have gone into a slump. The End of Heartache was great, As Daylight Dies, was good, s/t was mediocre. A new singer might breathe new life into the band.
Sad news =( Killswitch got me into screaming bands and my first girlfriend. Srsly. I thought Howard's voice was starting to go and that's why he would leave, but it definitely is more than that.
I say now would be perfect for Jesse to come back. He may be able to do a good job on the stuff Howard did. Plus Times of Grace was... incredible. He and Adam D. are really good at what they do and if Killswitch went in that direction I'd be totally okay with it.
Damn...thank you Howard for some awesome songs.
I'm interested in seeing who they would bring up now...really gonna be hard to replace a huge voice like his.
A shock, and a disappointment. Interesting to see who they'll get in as replacement. I'd be open to Jesse returning, so long as it didn't affect Times of Grace.
I don't think jesse would fit in with the current songs kse play, their sound has evolved too much from Alive Or Just Breathing, and honestly I believe that Howard was one of the main reasons why they can be easily distinguished from other metalcore bands.
They are going to need someone special.
No kidding, they need a dynamic singer. Anyone short of a Ripper Owens wouldn't do their songs justice.
NOOOOO Howard was an epic vocalist and I'm probably the only person that thinks it, but I preferred his vocals to Jesse's. Jesse was great don't get me wrong, but I always felt Howard had that special "something" that made Killswitch so distinguishable from other metalcore bands..
I agree with you. In fact, Killswitch Engage is the only metalcore band I like, and he's definitely part of it. But at the same time I'm sure they'll find a good new singer.
ah well it's a bummer i hope they find a new guy and create some exciting new sounds. i hope howard moves on to a project he wants and killswitch livens things up and tries to branch out from what there comfortable in..
Damn, I don't listen to KE too much but Howard was the reason I got into heavier, modern metal. I didn't dig the whole screaming thing but when I heard his incredible, gospel type vocals paired with the colossal riffs-Heaven! Oh well, I'll certainly be waiting to see what he does next!@
Cheeseman Jay wrote:
I don't think jesse would fit in with the current songs kse play, their sound has evolved too much from Alive Or Just Breathing, and honestly I believe that Howard was one of the main reasons why they can be easily distinguished from other metalcore bands.
They are going to need someone special.
Really? Times of Graces has written softer songs than KSE. No reason Jesse wouldn't fit right back in with the,. This is a shame for KSE though, Howard was fantastic. SUCKS that the only time I've seen KSE, they were without Howard.
seeing Jesse back in KSE and singing Howard's songs is like Ozzy singing shit off Heaven and Hell or Mob Rules with Sabbath...its just not going to sound good...my vote is on the singer from Bury Your Dead on Nothing Personal...he kicks ass and KSE isn't going to sound the same anyways now so why not go a different direction? I regret never seeing KSE live with Howard though...
I haven't listened to KSE in quite a few years, but Howard's voicals were always the big drawcard for me. Very unique and powerful. Without him, they're just another hard rock/metalcore band.
I'd love to see Phil Labonte with KSE again. I mean, Corey Taylor's handling Slipknot AND Stone Sour. If Phil ahs the time, KSE should definitely reconsider him.
This pisses me off so much, I love this band, and as it's been said, Howard is fantastic. We see stuff like great bands breaking up, then right underneath it we have...
I'll be the only person who mentions this, but I really feel like Karl Schubach from Misery Signals is the best pure replacement, as in his harsh vocals are similar and he's a decent signer. Their best bet, though, is to bring in a new harsh vocalist and just let Adam do clean vocals.
Although, it pains me to know that the next time I see Killswitch I'll have to hear some random voice sing Rose of Sharyn. Only Howard can sing that song to full affect. I saw KsE once with Phil Labonte filling in. He did wonderfully, but he didn't even try sing that chorus. He just let the crowd do it. Would have sounded too strange.
A shock, and a disappointment. Interesting to see who they'll get in as replacement. I'd be open to Jesse returning, so long as it didn't affect Times of Grace.
I hope so dude even tho they both do sound alike haha
SON OF A B!T$H!!!!! howard is an amazing vocalist for one and his onstage chemistry with the band added a 3rd dimension to their shows that will be nearly impossible to recreate. This just sucks.
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
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
This really sucks. :'( Howard is one of my idols man. I literally shed a few tears when I heard this! Howard without KsE is like Metallica without James, butter with no bread, a topless pool party without any chiks :'(. Metalcore will never be the same again. I hope the guys think hard about Howards replacement
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