KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's JESSE LEACH Is Open To Releasing A New 'EP Or A Couple Of Songs' Instead Of Focusing On Making A Full-Length Album

In a new interview with Australia's Heavy, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Jesse Leach spoke about the possibility of the band releasing an EP or standalone singles as opposed to focusing on making a full-length album. Asked if he finds the prospect of issuing more frequent singles "more liberating or challenging", Jesse said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think liberating, for me at this point. We've put out enough records that the idea of putting out an EP or a couple of songs here and there, in addition to eventually putting out a record, I think is fun for me. And the turnaround would be great.

"You put out a [full-length] record, and how many of those songs do you actually play live? Maybe four, maybe five," Jesse explained. "So those other songs just kind of go by the wayside. Why not just put out an EP — this is just my opinion — put out an EP with four songs that you for sure are gonna play live, 'cause everyone's, like, 'These songs rule.' It just cuts out the fat, I guess, and makes the touring cycle easier and more frequent. And I think in this day and age, why not adapt a little bit to the times?

"We're old school, for sure," Jesse clarified. "We all love the format of an album and the concept of an album, but I think you can pull it off in four or five songs as well. An EP can still have a concept to it. So I'm excited to try that — if the guys are open to it. I'm just sort of putting it out there into the universe to see. 'Cause I think it'd be fun to do that."

Jesse also elaborated on his previous comment that he wanted KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's next material to follow a "faster" and "heavier" direction than some of the band's more recent output. He said: "I'm one of five [people in the band] and I've got my opinions, and I respect very much what those guys will create. And I think it should be natural. But I'm rooting for the hard and heavy and fast. I feel like it just feels like it's a good time to put out even just an EP, a couple of songs even, of just some really heavy stuff. That's kind of where I'm coming from. But, again, we'll see what naturally comes out of those guys as they write the music."

This past June, Jesse told Scott Davidson of Chicago's Rebel Radio that the extra songs he and his bandmates recorded during the sessions for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's 2025 album, "This Consequence", would eventually see the light of day. He said: "[We recorded a total of] 14 [tracks], and four [were] left off. One got re-released kind of quietly on a compilation to raise money for an animal shelter. It's on CD now. And then I think we're working with the same company again to put one more song out with that. And then the other two we hope to see out in the as a B-side seven-inch."

After Davidson noted that a lot of bands now are more focused on releasing one or two songs at a time as opposed to a full-length album, Jesse said: "I'm also not opposed to doing EPs. I think it's actually a really good idea to just knock some stuff out. We've never done it, but we're talking about maybe just doing EPs for fun. And it makes that whole process of putting a record out quicker. And we also will write all these songs, and some of them don't even make it on the record, so why not just focus on five or six of the really good ones and put out an EP or a seven-inch or a 10-inch with exclusive vinyl and fun stuff like that, collectible stuff. So we're talking about all that fun stuff for the future."

Regarding how the KILLSWITCH ENGAGE songwriting process works, Jesse said: "Everybody does their own demos, between those [other] four guys [in the band]. They all submit demos of either just riffs that make sense together or full complete songs with drums and everything. And then everybody sort of picks it apart and works on it together."

He added: "I love watching somebody come with a few riffs and then somebody else has a riff. I like watching that happen. In this last recording cycle, we were in a room together jamming. It was, like, four or five sessions of that, where somebody would come with a cool riff, and then you see somebody else's lightbulb go off on their head, and they're, like, 'Oh, I got an idea,' and seeing it take shape in real time. I love when that happens."

A previously unreleased song from the "This Consequence" sessions, "Blood Upon The Ashes", was made available on "The Dogs Of Hope" benefit album, which came out in August 2025 via Iodine Records. The LP raised funds for the Randolph County Animal Shelter in Wedowee, Alabama and also included rare and previously unreleased tunes from SNAPCASE, ORANGE 9MM, DEADGUY, Walter Scheifels, TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick and more.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio previously described "Blood Upon The Ashes" to Revolver magazine as "the one that got away" during the "This Consequence" sessions.

"Although I was fighting hard for it, this track didn't get the votes to be included in the final, 10-song 'This Consequence' record. So close," he lamented. "I'm really excited for people to hear it 'cause every time I do, there's regret for not including it on the album. Enjoy."

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE recently completed a U.S. tour with support from MACHINE HEAD, IRON REAGAN and HAVOK.

"This Consequence" came out in February 2025 via Metal Blade. "This Consequence" was KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's ninth LP overall, and sixth with Leach, who rejoined the band in 2012.

"This Consequence" arrived alongside a hugely successful winter/spring 2025 tour, yielded a Top 10 single with "I Believe" and landed the band on the covers of Revolver and Outburn.

In the summer of 2025, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE completed the massive "Summer Of Loud" tour, co-headlining alongside BEARTOOTH, I PREVAIL and PARKWAY DRIVE.

Fans got their first taste of "This Consequence" with pulverizing track "Forever Aligned", swiftly followed by "I Believe". More recently, the group shared videos for "Collusion" and "Aftermath".