Jesse Leach officially rejoins Killswitch Engage

After the band updated their website the other day with a new photo of the band featuring former vocalist Jesse Leach, it was presumed that Leach had rejoined Killswitch Engage following the departure of Howard Jones back at the start of January.

Both the band and Leach have now confirmed this, and have both released statements regarding Leach's return to the band.

The band posted:

“After much deliberation and careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that Jesse Leach has rejoined Killswitch Engage. Our job was to find the best person to fill Howard's shoes: a decision based on talent and not familiarity. This change is very exciting. We know you're going to love it. This is truly a new era in KsE history and it is ready to shred your face off. So, please help us in welcoming Jesse back into the KsE family; he is a rare and great talent, a fact that older KsE fans have known for years. Here is to a killer new record and a bright future. The five of us cannot wait to write this record and play shows together and bring that feeling to our fans. It's been far too long."

Leach posted the following about his return to the band:

"It is a great honor to rejoin my brothers after all of these years. After some discussion and much reflection, it was obvious to me this was the path I was meant to take. We got together and jammed on the 'Howard-era songs,' as well as some Alive or Just Breathing-era songs and we all felt the synergy. I look forward to writing the new record, since the demos sound absolutely amazing, as well as breathing new life and getting comfortable with the soulful songs Howard has written. It is a new chapter of my life filled with new and exciting challenges. I will give all that I can to honor the position I have been given and take nothing for granted. I will sing every note with all of my soul. I am very blessed and very thankful to be back in the KSE family! All things happen in their due time and now is the time for this reunion and new direction."

The band is currently writing their new album to be released this year, and will be the band's first recorded material to feature Leach on vocals since their 2002 album "Alive or Just Breathing".