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Killswitch Engage Switching Singers
In a statement posted Wednesday, the group said that Howard Jones was leaving the lineup after nine years with the band. The statement did not explain the reason behind the split.
Jones, who was the former frontman for Blood Has Been Shed, took over for Killswitch Engage’s original vocalist Jesse Leach in 2002. Killswitch says the band is now in the process of looking for a new singer.
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Rock On The Range, Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH
Here’s the full statement:
“To our family, friends and fans: We have decided to continue on without Howard Jones as the singer of Killswitch Engage. We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we’ve had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well. He has left big shoes to fill, so we certainly have our work cut out for us to find the next singer of Killswitch, something we plan on making priority #1 going forward. Most importantly, thanks to all of you for all the support throughout the years and for sticking by us for all this time. We really do appreciate it and we very much look forward to having a new record for all of you in the not too distant future that we can all be proud of. Sincerely, Adam, Joel, Mike & Justin.”
The next show on the band’s itinerary is an April 22 performance at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Mass., at The Palladium. Killswitch Engage has also lined up a number of European festival appearances for June including Nova Rock Festival in Nickelsdorf, Austria June 8; Copenhall in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 15; and Metaltown Festival in Goteborg, Sweden, June 16.
Click here for Killswitch Engage’s website.