The guys from Killswitch Engage are no strangers to adversity. Since the band’s inception in 1999, they have overcome a number of issues that have caused many other groups to call it quits. Rising from a humble beginning in the western Massachussetts metal scene playing basement shows, the band broke through that scene with 2002’s classic Alive or Just Breathing, only to have lead singer Jesse Leach leave the band that same year. After replacing Leach with Howard Jones, Killswitch was thrust to the forefront of what was dubbed the New Wave of American Heavy Metal with their subsequent releases. Jones, however, would leave the band in 2012 due to personal reasons, leaving the group once again to search to fill that frontman role. Their audition process eventually led them back to Leach, giving credence to the old adage that sometimes, if you want to move forward, you have to go back.
So when the band’s writing and recording of their follow up to 2019’s Atonement became a long and meticulous process, combined with a global pandemic that hampered both creating and touring, the guys from Killswitch were already pretty well versed in navigating difficult situations. Besides, sorting out a new set of songs in the studio is child’s play compared to driving five hours for a gig that’s been cancelled, unbeknownst to the band, because the venue was closed due to health code violations.
Now after a six year gap since their last full-length effort, the longest in the band’s history, Killswitch are on the verge of releasing their ninth studio album, This Consequence, on February 21st through Metal Blade Records. The band’s toiling and poring over the new material is evident in the finals results. This Consequence is a tight collection of ten well-written songs that contain the classic elements fans have come to expect from a Killswitch record, while also signifying another step in the band’s evolution.
Justin Foley joined Killswitch Engage in the fall of 2003 after the departure of their original drummer. His former bandmate, Howard Jones, had just joined the band as their lead singer and recommended Foley for the vacancy. A year later, Killswitch Engage would be nominated for a Grammy for their gold 2004 record The End of Heartache and be opening for Slayer as part of the Jagermeister Music Tour – a meteoric rise for a band that just five years prior was traveling hours to play modest scene shows in New England.
A classically trained percussionist, Justin breaks the mold of the prototypical metal drummer. His influences span from Charlie Benante of Anthrax to obscure classical Russian composers, and his playing reflects the diversity of that range. The combination of his technical, savvy, and brutal playing alongside his Killswitch bandmates has allowed the band to rise to worldwide fame.
Justin spoke with me for about 45 minutes about a number of topics, including:
- the recording and songwriting process for This Consequence, how it differed from previous album cycles, and his personal contributions to the record.
- Killswitch’s upcoming North American tour, why metal bands are not playing New York City these days, and a discussion of lost local venues.
- how his training as a percussionist and playing with orchestras has influenced his playing and writing.
- the events that led to Justin joining Killswitch, reflecting on his whirlwind first year in the group with Howard Jones, and how the their cover of “Holy Diver” came to fruition.
- a healthy discussion of MLB stadiums and the quest to visit each one, his documentation of the band’s live shows, and Killswitch’s obsession with The Price Is Right.
- reflections on the band’s success and a special moment with Charlie Benante of Anthrax.
You can view the entire interview HERE:
Justin was a pleasure to speak with and more than generous with his time. With his self-deprecating sense of humor, he consistently downplayed his role in the group’s success, but twenty years in, his performances both on this record and on tour are a big reason why Killswitch Engage are such an incredibly successful band. Despite the many obstacles the band has faced over their first quarter century, their incredible effort on This Consequence indicates they are primed to continue on for many more years to come.
Perhaps Jesse Leach says it best during the chorus on the last track of the album:
“I swear this is not the end, this is not a requiem.”
Killswitch Engage’s ninth studio album, This Consequence, is due out on Metal Blade Records on February 21st. The lead single from the album, “Forever Aligned,” is available on all major streaming platforms. You can find pre-order information here:
Killswitch Engage will also emark on a North American tour in March and April of 2025 with Kublai Khan TX, Fit for a King, and Frozen Soul. Ticket information can be found below.
