When Killswitch Engage emerged during the golden age of nu-metal, their sound immediately stood out from their peers. Pursuing a harder, more aggressive and abrasive take on modern metal, since they didnt fit the scene they quickly set about establishing their own : metal-core. If ever there is a band that remembers their roots its KSE; they recently re-united with original singer Jesse Leach who in 2013 is set to appear on their sixth studio album, taking the notion of full-circle to extremesjust like everything else!
We recently asked guitarist Joel Stroetzel a few questions including why he chose METAL! Read on to see what he had to say
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE METAL?
I chose metal because it was energetic. Something about the sound of fast drums and distorted guitars just grabbed me!.
WHATS THE BEST KIND OF METAL?
When I was young I liked all the glam rock and metal that was on MTV… But then I discovered bands like Metallica, Slayer and Testament, the thrashy stuff. From there I got into death metal bands like Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel and Disincarnate.
WHY WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO CHOOSE METAL?
I would recommend metal for its energy and musicianship… Some of the best players in the world are underground metal guys that few people have heard of. A common mistake people make is claiming that all metal sounds like noise. Just because its loud and aggressive doesnt mean that there isnt talent and passion going into it just like any other form of music or art.
YOUR RECOMMENDED KILLSWITCH ENGAGE TRACKS
If someone were to ask me what KsE song I would recommend Id probably go with My Last Serenade (from Alive Or Just Breathing), or End of Heartache
(from The End Of Heartache). I feel they both represent every element of what we do.
METAL MIX TAPE - JOELS TOP (6)6(6)
1. TESTAMENT - ’D.N.R.
2. IN FLAMES - ‘Ordinary Story
3. MACHINE HEAD - 'Davidian
4. CARCASS - 'This Mortal Coil
5. AT THE GATES - 'Slaughter of the Soul…
6. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - 'The End of Heartache’
