Killswitch Engage's Joel Stroetzel Disarms Himself

Metalcore act Killswitch Engage has been around for nearly 15 years through that span they have surpassed a wide range of activity from touring and writing and recording material to even some line-up changes. Bringing back former vocalist Jesse Leach into the mix of things got everyone hyped up and now that they are upon their sixth album to date "Disarm The Descent" a whole lot more touring and releases are to come. Guitarist Joel Stroetzel discusses their recent touring route and future plans.


1. Introduce yourself, tell me what role you do in Killswitch Engage.

Joel: Yeah my name is Joel and I play guitar.

2. You are currently on tour what can the fans expect to hear in this setlist?

Joel: Well we're trying to do a fairly different set than we do on recent tours, having some new material and old material we haven't played in years. So it's a little bit different for us and for those who may have seen us in the last couple of years.

3. When it comes to performing each and every night does the time stand still or does it fly by when performing?

Joel: Usually the set list flies by when performing while the rest of the day is slowed down. But it's always a good time and fun for us.

4. What has been the biggest banner that you have used during any of your tours?

Joel: I'm not too sure the one we have now is similar to the latest record and is probably the biggest one we have been carrying around on tour.

5. When a tour comes to an end what happens to the banners and other stage props themselves - do you guys take them home with you and prop them up at home?

Joel: No no no  usually we'll just keep them in storage and bring them back out for some shows.

6. How many banners do you think you have stored away from the previous tours you have done over the years?

Joel: We have a collection of them.

7. You guys have toured a lot over the years but where hasn't Killswitch Engage set foot in?

Joel: We've never been to South Africa will go there next year and Asia haven't been to a few places and we haven't been to Iceland either.

8. Once the tour in the USA is over what do you have planned afterwards?

Joel: We're going home for 2 months for some time off then do some stuff overseas for next year.

9. Your latest release "Disarm the Descent" is your sixth album to date and first in a while to feature again vocalist Jesse Leach who has returned to the band - how does this all make you feel and what runs through your mind?

Joel: It feels great and funny it feels like he never left. It's all going well and everyone is having a good time so far so good.

10. Do you see Jesse to remain here for good or will Howard be coming back in the future or is there no telling?

Joel: Naw I think he is back for good.

11. Next year you will have been a band for 15 solid years, do you have an idea as to what you plan to do as far as celebrating?

Joel: I'm sure we will celebrate some way probably involve beer and loud music should be fun.

12. Can you tell me the story as to how the name Killswitch Engage came about?

Joel: I think it was Mike our bass player who was watching X Files and heard the word Killswitch and the other word Engage came from when we were all in other bands and they just weren't working out. So everything had just come to a stop where we just put ourselves into a Killswitch Engage mode. That was kinda the idea of it.

13. Do you guys have any new music in the works in terms of a follow-up release?

Joel: Little bits and pieces here and there but nothing officially yet.

14. You've been a part of Roadrunner Records since "Alive or Just Breathing" this must mean that your relationship with them is still going well?
Joel: Yes it's still good they have kept us around so things are definitely good with them.

15. For that album you went and performed the whole thing front to back will you be doing this again for other releases - do you enjoy doing this?

Joel: I don't think we'll do that again. I think it was just a onetime thing so we wanted to do something with Jesse being back it just all worked right but not something we'll be doing again.

16. You released a LIVE DVD but have yet to release a LIVE CD or LIVE CD/DVD combo - when can we expect to see a new release?

Joel: Yeah we've been talking about it but not sure when it's going to happen so maybe something will happen on this year and we'll talk about it next year.

17. What else can we expect to see from you guys for this year leading into next year?

Joel: We'll be doing more touring and overseas stuff then work on new material get something out sooner rather than later.

18. Any final words you'd like to add or say to the fans?

Joel: Sure like to thank everyone who's been with us over the years.