In a statement on Killswitch Engage’s website, the band’s now-former vocalist Howard Jones has explained why he left the band. His answer is humble, and it shows a degree of maturity from both the band and Jones. After all, if it wasn’t amicable, he wouldn’t be posting it from the band’s site.
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
It’s good that he isn’t giving up on music, which opens up the door for a Blood Has Been Shed reunion. Meanwhile, Killswitch Engage has a new vocalist to name. While All That Remains’ Philip LaBonte is a logical candidate, given that he’s already filled in for Jones with Killswitch, he was quick to shoot down any involvement on Twitter. And we haven’t heard anything yet from original singer Jesse Leach, but he already left the band once, not to mention that he’s got his hands full with both Times of Grace and The Empire Shall Fall. One left field candidate that’s come out of the woodwork? Former Divine Heresy and Snot singer Tommy Vext. Metal Injection uncovered (via The Blacktooth) an interview with Vext in which he says that he’s spoken to KSE’s management company about an audition. He also says that the decision to join the band would have to be unanimous between not only all of the Killswitch guys, but also everyone in his reformed band, Vext (which includes Mutiny Within’s Andrew Jacobs and Bill Fore). Let the speculation begin!
