KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Has 21 Songs In The Works For Upcoming Album

Vocalist Jesse Leach spoke to Graspop Metal Meeting about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's next album, tentatively due in early 2019 via Metal Blade Records in the U.S. and Sony Music Entertainment in the rest of the world.

"I do have a bunch of lyrics for songs [ready to go]," he said (see video below). "We've got about maybe four, I think, we're really happy with, but we have, like, 21 songs altogether. So, yeah, in between [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's current European tour as the support act for IRON MAIDEN], 'cause we go home for a little while and we go back out with MAIDEN in the U.K., I'm doing some studio sessions. And then after the U.K. run, we'll wrap that thing up, hopefully, pick the best songs and put out a great record, hopefully, for 2019."

Asked if KILLSWITCH ENGAGE is able to work on new music while on the road, drummer Justin Foley said: "We don't do very much writing at all when we're on tour. It's sort of, like, tour and then writing when we're home. Two separate things."

Added Jesse: "It's tough to be creative out here. Usually, you're just tired all the time."

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's upcoming album will feature a guest appearance on one song by the band's former lead singer Howard Jones.

The follow-up to 2016's "Incarnate" will mark KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's third full-length effort since the return of Leach, who rejoined the group in 2012.

Leach appeared on KILLSWITCH's self-titled debut and sophomore album, "Alive Or Just Breathing", before exiting the band. Jones took over on vocals for "The End of Heartache", "As Daylight Dies" and the 2009 self-titled set before being dismissed from the group six years ago.