Watch Killswitch Engage reunite with ex-singer Howard Jones at emotional homecoming show in Massachusetts

23 Sep 2024, 09:55 · louder

By Merlin Alderslade
( Metal Hammer )
published 23 September 2024

Howard joined his old bandmates for the performance of three songs on Saturday night

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Saturday night (September 21), Killswitch Engage played an emotional headline set at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts, the hometown state of the metalcore legends.

Smashing through an 18-song, hit-filled setlist, the five-piece played a career-spanning gig that included cuts from all eight of the band's studio albums. That included two tracks from Killswitch's oft-overlooked self-titled debut album, with mostly instrumental number Prelude and a riotous Soilborn kicking off their show.

What undoubtedly delighted fans most of all, however, was the appearance of former Killswitch Engage frontman Howard Jones, who joined his ex-bandmates on stage to sing Rose Of Sharyn and Take This Oath, both from 2004's classic The End Of Heartbreak album. Howard also popped on stage to sing The Signal Fire, Killswitch's 2019 single that featured both he and longtime/current vocalist Jesse Leach duetting.

Watch video footage of Howard's appearances with the band below.

Killswitch Engage - The Signal Fire w/ Howard Jones (live @ New England Metal and Hardcore Fest) - YouTube

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Killswitch Engage | Rose of Sharyn with Howard Jones (LIVE @ New England Metal & Hardcore Fest '24) - YouTube

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Killswitch Engage live - New England Metal & Hardcore Fest - Worcester, Ma 9/21/24 - YouTube

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Howard Jones left Killswitch Engage in 2012 following almost a decade with the band, later citing mental health issues and the demands that the touring lifestyle had taken on his physical health as the reasons for his departure. "I didn't realise how bad I was," he explained to Metal Hammer in 2016. "I thought the high levels of anxiety I was experiencing was just my lot in life, I didn't realise that there was help on hand for me to be able to deal with that. I thought that I was just meant to feel really nervous around large crowds." Following Jones' departure, Killswitch would reunite with former singer Jesse Leach, who Jones had replaced in the first place in 2003.

Jones has remained active in the metal scene since, most notably with Light The Torch (formerly Devil You Know), who released their most recent album, You Will Be The Death Of Me, in 2021. In December, it was revealed that Jones and Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam D had been working on new music together, though that is yet to be released. A new Killswitch album is also anticipated at some point in the not-too-distant future, with 2024 marking five years since their last studio full-length, Atonement.

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Merlin Alderslade
Executive Editor, Louder

Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.

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