•THE INNOVATER ISSUE • INTERVIEWED BY JUSTINE JONES
Two decades ago, if you’d said ‘metalcore’ to someone, chances are they wouldn’t have had the faintest idea what you were talking about. As nu metal ruled the mainstream, this littleknown subgenre of hardcore punk and classic thrash was only the concern of a small collection of hardened, underground fans, fighting for attention against Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and the rest. It didn’t stand a chance. Right? Then Killswitch Engage happened.
The quintet became so successful that metalcore is now one of the most dominant genres. Without them, we might not have had Parkway Drive, or Architects, or Spiritbox, or While She Sleeps, or Bury Tomorrow, or… you get the picture. That’s why, when we decided to chronicle their thrilling journey from underground punks to metalcore royalty, including the Howard Jones era (2002-2012) and beyond, we needed someone who knew their shit. Justine Jones, lead larynx with the UK’s own Employed To Serve – another band that’s benefited from KSE’s boundary busting – was delighted to jump in and grill two of her heroes, vocalist Jesse Leach and guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, about how they evolved into one of the most important bands in metal’s history.
Justine: “What was the scene like in Westfield, Massachusetts when you guys kicked off in 1999?”
“It was a really supportive scene, with bands like us and Shadows Fall kinda just helping each out. It was pretty incestuous as well; Jon [Donais] from Shadows Fall and I were in a band together before either of our bands
