Times of Grace, the new project for former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach and ongoing Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, have debuted the video for their first single, “Strength in Numbers,” at Alt Press. We first heard this song back in October, and it still sounds more or less like Alive or Just Breathing or Maybe Just Enjoying a Quick Power Nap to me, but that’s really neither here nor there right now, as I think we need to hear more of the album before we can start making jokes about how Adam D. has apparently tapped out his massive encyclopedia of riffs.

No, instead I wanna talk about the video. It’s bizarre, isn’t it? I used to do volunteer work with schizophrenic homeless people, but I didn’t never get to go all Braveheart with ‘em or anything. Mostly, we just played Uno and other simple games in an environment specifically designed to keep them calm and away from makeshift weapons. (Although I do recall a particularly vicious spork fight one Thanksgiving.) But in hindsight, teaching them to have a crew to catch their back in case they ever need to fuck shit up would have been a much more effective lesson. If that nice Russian lady who loved to play dominoes just so she could yell “DOMINOES!” over and over again regardless of who won or if anyone at the table actually scored a point happens to be reading this, I’d just like to say: I’m sorry I failed you.

Times of Grace’s debut, The Hymn of a Broken Man, comes out January 18 on Roadrunner, and despite my snark, I am sincerely hoping that it beats my ass like I stole its locket.

-AR

For my opening salvo, I suppose I should mention that it has been a long break between blogs. I’ve been meaning to get back to it, but this summer has been a very busy one filled with the musical composition of the new God Forbid album as well as a new project I’ve been working on, in addition to the daily pursuit of living life and getting by. I hope to contribute more frequently in the near future.

If you’ve followed my articles in the past, you may notice that I often address music history, and pertaining to this site, heavy music specifically. I have a great respect for artistic pioneers and the roots of where the most admirable and brilliant music stems from. I was the type of kid who would read liner notes and interviews by my favorite bands to find out who influenced them. I would always want to climb that musical family tree to see where it lead.

In my process of discovery, there was a common thread that jumped out at me that has been consistent through metal and rock history.  There seemed to be an intercontinental ping-pong match between the USA and Europe in terms of trailblazing the cutting edge of whatever musical genre was the dominant force of the time. This goes way back before metal existed — and yet, it has helped shape the musical landscape that exists today. The torch keeps being symbolically passed from one shore to the other.

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Damn. I haven’t written a blog for you guys while flying in quite a while. (Don’t worry, I still hate it, but 2.75mg of Xanax helps me forget.) So the question is, “Why have I not been writing to you from the air like I used to all the time?” Well, the fact of the matter is that I’ve basically been in a cave for the past few months making an album. Sure, we took a brief break and went to Germany for a few days for some Slayer shows (who wouldn’t),  but I was in no mental condition to write. I’m only now, five weeks from having finished the album, regaining my sanity, creativity, and motivation.

As I was packing for this trip to Mexico City I put my iPod in my carry-on (if you find the concept of rape disturbing, try to never check bags), and I realized that I haven’t added any new music to it in months. My two biggest gripes, both of which you are very familiar with by now, is the dismal state of metal audio production, and that the different scenes are just getting tired. I stand behind my idea that the “modern” metal sound of the early 2000s is going to sound as dated to us as 1980’s production pretty soon. I’m pretty confident that dudes who are all-out “scene” in their appearance will look back at themselves the way that we see Nu Metal bands from the late 90’s and wonder, “How was that the ‘in’ thing?” while privately hoping that their kids never see those photos. I feel like there’s an endless wave of copycat bands out there right now, and that the overall state of heavy music is such that we’re about to enter a down period, much like when death metal went back underground in the mid 90’s.

That’s not to say metal will die; it is time for innovation and rebirth.

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Times of Grace, the project from current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (someday I’ll learn to spell that name without having to look it up or resort to calling him “Adam D.”) and former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach, have released their first song unto the world. It’s called “Strength in Numbers,” and is available as a free download here, assuming you’re willing to subscribe to Times of Grace’s e-mail list. It will only be available for free for 48 hours; on October 19 it becomes available via various digital retailers.

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Big ups to our number one homegirl Allyson B. Crawford at Bring Back Glam! just made a pretty funny discovery:

“I was on YouTube, listening to Killswitch Engage when I thought “The End of Heartache” sounds awfully familiar. Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks:’Panama!’

“….I mean, the more I listened to ‘The End of Heartache’ the more obsessed I became. I’m convinced the root of the song – the main riff basically – is the key hook from ‘Panama’ just in a lower octave.”

I didn’t even have to listen to the two guitar parts in question side-by-side to know that Allyson is correct; as soon as I read her article, I knew exactly what she meant. It’s not a straight-up rip-off, ’cause it’s just a little piece of each song — in fact, I could see the KSE dudes not even realizing that they’d “borrowed” the riff — but this is still pretty funny/interesting/whatever.

Compare the two songs and read the rest of Ms. Crawford’s analysis at Bring Back Glam!

-AR

I feel like we’ve been hearing about Times of Grace, the new project that reunites original Killswitch Engage singer/current The Empire Shall Fall front man Jesse Leach with KSE’s guitarist/producer/all-around goofball Adam Dutkiewicz, for some time; now the duo have announced a November 9 release date for their debut album, The Hymn of a Broken Man, which will come out via — who else? — Roadrunner.

There’s no music to be heard yet, but here’s what Leach told me about the outfit when I interviewed him back in March:

“[It's] a project Adam and I have worked on and have been waiting to release for the past few years… Style wise it pulls from metal/rock/ambient shoe gaze type stuff, as well as punk and blues. It is something you just have to hear. I will go on record and say it is the most epic work of our careers in my opinion. I am certain people will react to it as lyrically it is very soulful and deep. The music (all written by Adam I might add) is just powerful stuff. Adam is an incredible writer and producer… I truly feel if given the right opportunities, he could be a full-on composer and score movies, among other things.”

So, uh, that doesn’t actually tell us that much, except that, despite what some might expect or perhaps even hope, it’s probably not going to sound very Killswitchy. Which is fine by me — the biggest complaint I (and apparently a lot of other people) have about KSE is that their albums have all started to sound the same, so it will be good to hear Mr. D. stretch his wings somewhat. And Leach’s voice is certainly sounding really good these days. So color me curious about this one.

-AR

Dear Metalcore:

I know you and I don’t hang out as much as we used to. I could list a couple of cleverly-worded reasons why, but today is apparently not the day to dwell on that. Instead, I’ll just share that I’ve been doing alright. I’ve been hanging out with the brothers doom and stoner metal a lot lately, and put in some QT with black metal over the winter. I mean, we get along really well. But it’s not like I don’t miss you from time to time or anything. But sometimes folks grow apart, hypothetical greener pastures are gone off to, new horizons breached. I started watching a lot more Coen Brothers movies; you started hanging out down at the mall for some reason. Interests differed, roads diverged. It was nothing personal, I suppose.

But that doesn’t mean the time we spent together didn’t have an effect on me: those first few Poison the Well albums, the brilliant cheesiness of Killswitch Engage, early Dead to Fall… all good times, man. And I still wonder how you’re doing. I mean, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit concerned over what I’d heard you’d been up to lately; you just don’t seem like yourself, or at least the way you were when I knew you. Which is why I’m relieved — even if briefly — when hearing bands like New Hampshire’s Mercury Switch. You just seem like your old self then.

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What’s up everyone! In celebration of the new KINGDOM OF SORROW album coming out today, MetalSucks have been nice enough to let me takeover their site! I figured I’d better make the reading interesting and at least cause some discussion, so here goes, this is probably the longest run on sentence you’ll ever read, haha, enjoy!

Since we’re well into 2010. I figured I’d start my blog with my top ten “most listened to” metal and hardcore albums of the last decade, and the top ten albums I hope to enjoy this decade!!! It’s not a top ten “best of” the decade or anything like that, it’s just what I’ve listened to the most while on the road, at home, in the gym, in the office or in my car. Keep in mind that the criteria for these albums to make this list was that they were released between 2000 and 2010, that is all.

The top 10 records I’m “most hopeful & excited for” are more like a wish list. It will be cool to see some of that stuff happen!

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Howard Jones missed the last KSE tour because…

HE WAS KIDNAPPED BY ALIENS WHILE ON A FISHING TRIP!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In all seriousness, though, I love this video, and here’s why:

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Like a lot of people, I first became familiar with Brian Posehn because of his time on David Cross and Bob Odenkirk’s brilliant HBO sketch comedy series, Mr. Show, for which he was also a writer. A few years after that show went off the air, my then-roommate and I went to see Posehn do some stand-up at a comedy club here in New York. I don’t think we were even there to see Posehn specifically – if memory serves, David Cross was the actual draw for us – but he was so funny that I actually laughed so hard I became winded and fell out of my chair. Since then, he’s been on a very, very short list of stand-ups that I never miss the chance to check out when they come through town. Mr. Show sketches about a fictional band called “Titannica” led me to believe that someone on the series’ writing staff was a metal fan, but I didn’t know that it was Posehn until later – and the revelation that he was just as obsessed with metal as I was only made him that much cooler.

Fart and Wiener Jokes, Posehn’s second album for Relapse, comes out today (and you can order a copy here). Like its predecessor, Live: In Nerd Rage, it features not only recordings of his brilliant stand-up, but also an original song he co-wrote with Anthrax’s Scott Ian (“More Metal Than You”) to poke fun at some of metal’s more regrettable foibles. It also has a metal cover of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” and between the two music tracks, Posehn has managed to rope in guest appearances by such all-stars as Jamey Jasta, Mark Morton, Mark Oseguenda, John Tempesta, and Russ Parrish. Assuming you love great comedy and great metal, there’s no way you’re not gonna dig Fart and Wiener Jokes.

A few weeks ago I got to talk to Posehn about putting comedy albums out on a metal label, what it’s like to be friends with some of his boyhood heroes, the state of metal today, his take on the Anthrax vocalist situation, and more. He even turned the tables at the end and asked me a question! Read the complete transcript of our chat after the jump.

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The KSE saga takes another turn! Actually, the information in the headline is all we can tell you right now. HoJo is doing four shows with the band in May. There’s been no official word on what the heck has been going on these past few months… but at least it looks as though Howard is still in the band.

Dates for the new shows are as follows:

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The weather is beautiful out, it’s the weekend, and I have a ton of new albums to listen to. I’m gonna put some shit on my iPod, get stoned, go eat some ice cream, and crank some shit. It’s a rough life, but someone’s gotta lead it.

Before I do that, here’s a wrap-up of crap that happened this week:

• We spoke to Phil Anselmo, former Killswitch Engage/current The Empire Shall Fall vocalist Jesse Leach, and the dude who proposed to his girlfriend on-stage at a Fear Factory concert.
• We debuted a new column by Cynic’s Paul Masvidal.
• We’re streaming Unleashed’s new album, As Yggdrasil Trembles.
• Vince’s heavy metal road trip re-cap continues!
• We love Meek is Murder, and we’re not being sarcastic.
• Refused are reuniting! Well, they’re not, actually, but Far is!
• The end is nigh.

Okey dokey… sprinkles here I come! Have a good weekend everybody.

-AR

It was just yesterday that I couldn’t get Jesse Leach to comment on the Killswitch Engage singer situation. And now, after weeks and weeks of speculation, KSE have just released a statement, officially announcing Howard Jones’ departure from the band “due to personal reasons.” No further details are given.

That’s a bummer, but given all the recent rumors of Jones’ permanent departure, it’s not exactly shocking news. What is shocking is that the band has chosen not to bring original front man Jesse Leach back into the fold, or even Phil LaBonte, who covered for Jones on KSE’s most recent tour. So guess who got the gig instead?

FORMER DIVINE HERESY/SNOT VOCALIST TOMMY VEXT.

Yes… we’re as surprised as you are.

Read the complete statement from Tommy and KSE after the jump…

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Photo by Will Hawkins. Check out more awesome pics from Jesse’s gigs with KSE in NYC here.

Jesse Leach has found himself back in the headlines a lot as of late: after Howard Jones dropped of off Killswitch Engage’s recent tour amidst some pretty bizarre rumors, Leach briefly reunited with the band, much to the delight of many a KSE fan (including this one). This inevitably led to gossip that Leach might be re-joining the band – gossip that Leach won’t actually confirm or deny.

It’s also led to a sudden surge of interest in The Empire Shall Fall, Leach’s latest musical endeavor – which is great, ’cause they’re a good band and deserve the attention.

And so this seemed like a good time to ask Leach to ponder his own past, present, and future. In a recent e-mail exchange, Jesse told me, in great detail, about all of his various musical endeavors, including Killswitch Engage, Seemless, The Empire Shall Fall, and Times of Grace, a new project he’s doing with KSE’s Adam Dutkiewicz. Full transcript after the jump.

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I’ve given Jesse Leach some shit in the past, mostly because I’m an asshole who just likes to bust balls. But he killed it while playing with KSE a couple of weeks back, and I actually dig his latest band, The Empire Shall Fall. So, y’know. Hugs all around.

TESF just debuted their new video, “Lords of War,” on Noisecreep, and… well, if you’re a Leach fan, check it out. It’s simultaneously heavier and catchier than Seemless was, which is to say, it should appeal more to those of who hold Alive or Just Breathing in such high regard.

And I should have an interview with Jesse up later this week.

-AR

UPDATE: Reader Ben Alden tells me that Jesse joined the band once again at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, NY. If anyone catches him at any future shows, please let us know…

I saw this video on The PRP this morning, and it’s supposed to be from Leach’s first night performing with the band. If that’s true, then not only did everyone in the band, including Leach, wear the same exact clothes two nights in a row, but Adam D. used the same exact stage banter two nights in a row. Hmm…

First of all, thanks to everyone who let me know that Killswitch Engage were going on at 10 pm. I successfully managed to avoid The Devil Wears Prada. (Who, it’s worth mentioning, had a sign at their merch booth that read “Hoody.” They can’t even be bothered to correctly spell the name of that most basic of metal merch. Sheesh.) Yes, it meant also missing Dark Tranquillity, but that’s the fucked-up world in which we live.

ANYWAY, here are the two lessons to be gleaned from the evening’s KSE set:

1. If the speculation that Howard Jones may never return to the band is true, the group absolutely cannot hire Phil LaBonte as their new front man.
2. If the speculation that Howard Jones may never return to the band is true, the group absolutely must bring Jesse Leach back into the fold.

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I will always remember the first time I heard Killswitch Engage. I was fifteen years old watching MTV after school when I saw the music video for “The End of Heartache.” [Our intern is a baby!!! - Ed.] Hearing that combination of melodic singing and big thick riffs just hooked me to the sound. All I wanted was to hear more of it, and Killswitch was happy to oblige. Since its inception in 1999, the band has been one of the best in the business at writing top notch metalcore songs.

When you have the man-sized balls, like the ones that allow Jesse Leach and Howard Jones to sing and not sound like pussies, and mix that with some catchy Swedish-style riffs, you have a metal recipe for success. Alive or Just Breathing and The End of Heartache are landmark records that set the tone for metalcore.

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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

“Bark at the Moon” is to Shadows Fall as “Holy Diver” is to Killswitch Engage. They’re both covers of classic solo tracks by former Sabbath vocalists, and both songs were released in their original incarnation in 1983. (The connection between the two songs gets even weirder if you consider that Vinny Appice played drums on “Diver,” while his brother, Carmine, appears in the original “Moon” video even though he didn’t play on the recording.) And just as I imagine that it’ll be some time before KSE ever play another set without doing “Diver,” so it seems that “Moon” is now a staple of the Shads’ live show.

The band recently played the song in Toronto, with a special guest appearance from Alex Skolnick on guitars. The influence of Testament on Shadows Fall has always seemed pretty clear, so it’s cool to watch them get to jam with one of their heroes. Bonus: you can imagine an alternate world where Skolnick left Testament in 1992 and became Ozzy’s guitar player. It would have been post-No More Tears, the last truly worthwhile Ozzy album; Skolnick might have saved us from another seventeen years of sub-par material and guitar squeals!

-AR

[via Metal Insider]

A couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail from an anonymous reader claiming that the reason Howard Jones is missing the current Killswitch Engage tour is because he knocked up a porn star. Given that a) I had no idea who this e-mailer was, b) he or she offered no evidence whatsoever, and c) Jones is a married man, we didn’t run the story; it just seemed so ludicrous.

Well, we still have no idea if it’s true or not, but on Saturday night (I guess technically Sunday morning, depending on the time zone in which you live), a porn star I’ve never heard of (and I’ve heard of quite a few), Allie Foster, started tweeting that she was, in fact, Jones’ baby momma. Check out this screenshot, courtesy our friends at Metal Injection:

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