THE RUMORS WERE TRUE: JESSE LEACH PERFORMED WITH KILLSWITCH ENGAGE LAST NIGHT

Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 9:30am by

As we first discussed more than a month ago, there’s been a rumor floating around that original Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach was going to perform with the band for the NY shows of their current tour; and, lo and behold, last night Leach did indeed show up to do five Alive or Just Breathing-era tracks (“My Last Serenade,” “Numbered Days,” “Self Revolution,” “Vida Infra,” “Temple from the Within) with the group. And, as if that wasn’t enough, three more (“Prelude,” “Life to Lifeless” and “Fixation on the Darkness”) for the encore – this time while the band reverted to its original line-up, with Adam D. playing drums and everything. Oh boy oh boy. Will Hawkins Photography has photos from the show; meanwhile, The PRP posted the de rigeur cell cam footage, which you can check out below:

SMN has now wondered aloud, “Does this mean that the former frontman will be staking his claim for a return to the fold?” And while I continue to hear people bandy that rumor about, especially in light of the mysterious and potentially scandalous circumstances under which Howard Jones seems to sitting out this tour. I don’t think it’s time to get too excited about that possibility just yet (if the idea of Leach re-joining the band even excites you in the first place), but I guess we’ll see what happens.

KSE play another show here in NY tonight, which I’m supposed to attend. So I may or may not have a first-hand report for you on Monday. If anyone went to last night’s gig, please let me know what time KSE took the stage. I need to sit through a set by The Devil Wears Prada like I need my left nut to fall off.

-AR

  • Chris [t] Deformed

    Damn, I wish I could of seen that show! I think it would be awesome if Jesse Leach re-joined the band!

  • msv81

    Seriously awesome. I loved the ORIGINAL self-titled album (seriously, what band releases two self-titled CDs, especially in the age of IPods, I just love having to switch the name of the album to “self-released (2009) so as not to confuse it with the one that came out almost ten years earlier) as well as “Alive or Just Breathing”; the band started going downhill in a big way beginning with “The End of Heartache”, though that CD wasn’t entirely awful. Howard isn’t a terrible vocalist or anything, but in terms of lyrical content and stage presence, I much prefer Jesse.

    It could only benefit the band to have Howard step down and Jesse re-enter the fold. Though I doubt it’ll happen, given Jesse’s somewhat recent shit talking about the goofiness of said band. He should probably stick to The Empire Shall Fall and his new project with Adam D. (forget what it’s called). That, or Killswitch should just pretend he never left and can their catalogue which Howard was a part of.

    • James

      It’s not metal but punk band Rancid have also released two self titled albums, one in 93 and one in 2000 and the fans usually refer to them as Rancid (1993) and Rancid (2000).

      Although I agree that two s/t albums by one band is dumb, I just added EP after to distinguish the two s/t KSE records

      • Cisco

        Yea, Duran Duran did the same thing…. don’t ask me how I know.

    • I Hate Ziltoid (aka Nacho Cheese Doritos)

      That pissed me off to w/ the KsE cd’s, but it’s out fault for buying the newest piece of shit!

      • msv81

        Buying? Haha. Albums like that one are precisely why I download everything first. No way I’m paying for a pile of shit.

  • Kyle

    I was there Axl and Killswitch took the stage right around ten. Dark Tranquility was worth watching, but The Devil Wears Prada did indeed suck ass. Anyway, Alive or Just Breathing is one of my favorite records of all time and the rumors alone of Jesse taking the stage with the band were enough for me too fly to NYC for both shows and man was it worth it! If Jesse had taken the stage and I missed it I would have never been able to live with myself. Went the lights went down and the intro music came on I was pumped, but then Phil came out and I was pretty deflated. however, I noticed they were deviating from their usual set list and doing only Howards songs and then I started to think something was up. The lights went down after four or five songs and the intro to Serende started and Jesse stormed out and the killed 5 songs, But, I was again deflated when Phil returned to do a few more songs. Pretty anti-climatic having the repllacement’s replacement come back out after seeing the real deal and almost left to be honest. Glad I stuck it out though becasue I had a feeling Jesse may do an encore and I was right. I’ll be there again tonight and am stoked! I’m sure they will mix up the set list. Holy shit it was awesome. Seriously doubt that Jesse will return to the band permanently, but its amazing to see him with Killswitch even if for only these two shows.

  • Fufkin

    Glad to see something positive happening with them.

  • Jim

    Cool video. Jesse kind of looks like a white Howard at the moment…

    • http://hookinmouth.net Hookinmouth.net

      I was thinking the same thing.

  • Ian P

    Not sure why they would want Leach to return permanently
    Then they would just go back to being another anonymous, obscure, regional, flat-broke-and-practicing-in-their-mom’s-garage band like they were when he was the front man. Roadrunner Records would just love that, wouldn’t they ….

    Or they could just bring back Howard and go back to being, arguably the biggest selling and most popular metal band in the world.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-John-Crispen/100000169530540 Jason John Crispen

      if you think howard was the sole reason they became “the biggest selling and most popular metal band in the world” you’re sorely mistaken

    • DemonicLemming

      Wait, what? Biggest-selling and most popular metal band in the world? You live in a fuckin’ snow globe or something?

      • Slaughterhouse

        That point was exaggerated for sure…but the point was that KsE would have gotten popular w/ or w/out Howard

        • Slaughterhouse

          Lol…Sorry, didn’t mean to put the first “point” in there

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Micheal-Vanderven/502827008 Micheal Vanderven

    oh my god, those assholes hahahahahahahaha AWESOME

  • kevin

    KSE went on at 10, ended at 11:15

  • Wookie983

    THIS IS AMAZING!

  • http://www.theblacklaser.net Joe The Wizard

    I’m bummed the show’s sold out. I would pay to see Jesse front them. Alive or Just Breathing is my favorite record of theirs.

    Also, there’s no way that’s cell phone footage. DSLR footage for sure. Too bad the sound sucks ass.

  • Phil

    Jesse helped break the band and then he left, he has a huge part to do with their poplarity. I still doubt he wants to do all the touring that wouds be involved with being in KSE.

  • Phil

    Jesse helped break the band and then he left, he has a huge part to do with their poplarity. I still doubt he wants to do all the touring that wouds be involved with being in KSE.

  • B-dizzle

    Wow, Jesse Leach and a good amount of AoJB material, now I would’ve gone to see that. I haven’t wanted to see Killswitch since like…..2006-2007? But this would be amazing.

  • Lard

    For the first time in my life I am proud to admit that i jizzed an insanely huge load in my pants from seeing this footage…

  • ferocious_fetus

    this is how I’ve always heard these songs in my head.
    Must have been rad seeing Adam on drums too.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nick-Carosello/1360764011 Nick Carosello

    I am gonna be going to see KSE on Sunday night in CT @ The Oakdale. Rumor has it he is handling vocal duties for the next two shows. I just got tickets from shitty livenation. I AM STOKED!!!

    • Kyle

      He is. Jesse confirmed that he is doing the show tonight in NYC, Saturday in Clifton Park, NY, and the show Sunday in CT. Then he is done. Have fun, man.

      • gojirasaurus

        are you fucking kidding me?! CT! i purposely skipped this because howards incarnation seems so boring to me and now ive missed out on 1 of 4 reunion shows. motherfucker

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chad-Anderson/1350940795 Chad Anderson

    Dude, get to the show early. Dark Tranquillity is worth seeing, even if you have to put up with The Devil Wears Prada.

  • ITTOA666

    Go chills watching this. So good to here Jesse again singing for the band he should be in.

  • Sambo

    Dark Tranquillity played an awesome set when I saw them in Las Vegas. TDWP was good as well. Those guys go “nuts” on stage.

  • Ryan

    If he comes back maybe they can make metal again.

  • Brian \m/(-_-)\m/

    god fucking damnit i was supposed 2 b at that show. i even had a free ticket from roadrunner! but im at home in bed with some weird kidney syndrome so i couldnt go. thats also y i missed orphaned land last week. fucking fuck all.

  • Tacoloft

    Need to bring Jesse back for sure if they can…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Mayer/100000218570001 Daniel Mayer

    Neeneer neener neener “Brian” that show was amazing… Heard your shit when all right wish you could’ve been there… It was sick

  • http://hookinmouth.net Hookinmouth.net

    Funny Metal Stage Costumes 101:

    Angus Young= Epic

    Adam Dutkiewicz= Epic Fail

  • DecrystallizingReason

    Wow! What I would give to have been there! Although I will say Phil Labonte has NO PLACE on stage next to Jesse Leach.

    Regarding the rumors, I really dig The Empire Shall Fall and would find it pretty shitty of Jesse to turn his back on that band and re-join KsE. However, with that said, the only way I would ever buy another Killswitch Engage album is if Jesse was on it.