Jesse Leach
Encyclopedia
Jesse David Leach is an American musician from Providence
, Rhode Island
, and is best known as being the former lead vocalist of Killswitch Engage
and later for being the vocalist for the blues rock band Seemless
. He is also the current singer for the hardcore metal band The Empire Shall Fall
and Times of Grace.
7. A Life of My Own (Cro-Mags), 8. Seed of Cain, 9. Plutonian Shores. Downloadable copies of these tracks are available at http://www.brianhull.net/music/ . "Seed of Cain" can be found on a music sampler available on the iTunes
store online as well.
Leach's second band, Nothing Stays Gold, formed in the mid-90s. They put out a single ep before splitting in 97/98.
Meanwhile, some remaining members of Overcast
and Aftershock
were forming a new band in the Massachusetts area and were seeking a vocalist. In 1999, Leach joined bassist Mike D'Antonio
, guitarist Joel Stroetzel
, and drummer Adam Dutkiewicz
to form Killswitch Engage
. Their self-titled debut was released on July 11, 2000.
Killswitch Engage's next effort, Alive or Just Breathing
, was released on May 21, 2002, putting Killswitch Engage at the forefront of the metalcore scene. Two weeks prior to going on tour, however, Leach married his fiancée. When he was not contacting his wife, Leach would sit alone in the tour bus for hours after shows and simply wait for the remaining band members to return. Leach's passion for his music combined with his emotional struggles of the time made him unable to exercise control over his screaming. He would blow his voice out after a few shows and struggled with the rest of the tour. Leach also began suffering from a mild depression which grew worse as the tour continued. According to Mike D'Antonio in an interview for Killswitch's "(Set This) World Ablaze
" DVD, "It seemed like there was always this dark cloud over Jesse's head." His depression led him to resign from the band & drop out of the public eye for some time. Leach wrote an email to the band explaining why he left. Quoting Leach from his interview in the DVD, "I didn't have the mental energy to face them, or even call them on the phone rather. I was at a point in my life where I just didn't want to face any of them so I wrote them a long email explaining, like, I'm just done. Explaining what every song meant to me, explaining what the whole experience was to me, and I said 'Bye. Ya know? You're not going to be able to find me, I'm going on my honeymoon finally. And, uh, don't try and call me don't try and contact me, I'm done. Done with music, period.'"
Leach reconciled with his former bandmates at the Roadrunner United 25th anniversary concert, performing a duet with current singer Howard Jones. The entire band played on stage, minus Adam D, who had been out with an injury (and was replaced by Andreas Kisser
of Sepultura
, with both Howard and Jesse singing "My Last Serenade". The song ended with the two embracing, and Leach thanking the crowd for their support through his difficult times.)
In 2003 Jesse joined a blues rock band called Seemless
. Seemless toured the US many times with bands like Fu-Manchu, The Sword, Trivium
, and In Flames
. Seemless is known for explosive, emotive live shows and showcases Leach's new-found soulful blues-y vocals. Touring with Seemless also showed the music world Jesse was back and able to complete tours. Seemless has released two albums so far and has had multiple videos featured on MTV's Headbangers ball. In 2006 their video for the single "Cast No Shadow" made MTV's Top Ten new videos. Seemless is currently writing new songs and playing out occasionally. Due to drummer Derek Kerswill's involvement with the MA metal band Unearth
, among other projects, Seemless has taken a hiatus from the touring life.
In 2008, Jesse Leach formed the band, The Empire Shall Fall
, with friends in his area. The band have now released their first independent album "Awaken" which was released on November 17, 2009.
Also, he worked on another album with Killswitch Engage bandmate, Adam Dutkiewicz. Leach has stated that the working title for the project with Adam D. is Times of Grace. Dutkiewicz also takes lead vocals on several tracks, and was released on January 18, 2011. The album's first single, "Strength in Numbers", was released October 15 via Roadrunner Records as a free digital download for 72 hours for those who signed up for the band's mailing list. The song is now available for purchase on iTunes. The album was made with the support of Killswitch Engage.
Numbered Days
Self Revolution
Fixation On The Darkness
My Last Serenade
Life To Lifeless
Just Barely Breathing
To The Sons Of Man
Temple From The Within
Vide Infra
Rise Inside
", directed by Michael Corrente. The film is an adaptation of Peter Farrelly
's 1988 novel of the same name
. Leach played a boy named Decenz.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, and is best known as being the former lead vocalist of Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
and later for being the vocalist for the blues rock band Seemless
Seemless
Seemless was an American rock supergroup formed by ex-Shadows Fall drummer Derek Kerswill, ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach, and ex-Overcast and ex -Killswitch Engage guitarist Pete Cortese....
. He is also the current singer for the hardcore metal band The Empire Shall Fall
The Empire Shall Fall
The Empire Shall Fall is an American metalcore band from Providence, Rhode Island that was formed in 2008 by former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach...
and Times of Grace.
History
Leach's first band, Corrin, formed in the early-90s. Corrin recorded four songs in 1996 which were eventually released as a CD by Propaganda Machine in 1998 after the band's breakup. The tracklist is 1.Violated, 2.Pariah 3.Unremission, 4. Lifeless, 5. Winter Souls, 6. Distance,7. A Life of My Own (Cro-Mags), 8. Seed of Cain, 9. Plutonian Shores. Downloadable copies of these tracks are available at http://www.brianhull.net/music/ . "Seed of Cain" can be found on a music sampler available on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
store online as well.
Leach's second band, Nothing Stays Gold, formed in the mid-90s. They put out a single ep before splitting in 97/98.
Meanwhile, some remaining members of Overcast
Overcast (band)
Overcast was an American metalcore band that started in the early 1990s, but broke up in 1998 after an unsuccessful tour; in 2008 they reunited to play a show and announced they would release a new album entitled Reborn to Kill Again with 11 re-recorded classic tracks and two unreleased...
and Aftershock
Aftershock (band)
Aftershock was a metalcore band based out of Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1992 by the Dutkiewicz brothers, and broke up in mid 1999 shortly after Adam Dutkiewicz joined Killswitch Engage. After a 2-year hiatus, in 2001, the group re-formed for a reunion tour in Japan...
were forming a new band in the Massachusetts area and were seeking a vocalist. In 1999, Leach joined bassist Mike D'Antonio
Mike D'Antonio
Michael "Mike" D'Antonio is best known as the bass guitarist and founder of Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage and of the band Overcast....
, guitarist Joel Stroetzel
Joel Stroetzel
Joel Michael Stroetzel is best known as one of two guitarists from the Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage.Stroetzel's guitar style is influenced by the bands Slayer, Anthrax, Zakk Wylde, as stated on the World Ablaze DVD....
, and drummer Adam Dutkiewicz
Adam Dutkiewicz
Adam Jonathan Dutkiewicz is an American musician, recording engineer and music producer, best known as a guitarist and backup vocalist from Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage.-Biography:...
to form Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
. Their self-titled debut was released on July 11, 2000.
Killswitch Engage's next effort, Alive or Just Breathing
Alive or Just Breathing
Alive or Just Breathing is the second studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. It was released on May 21, 2002 through Roadrunner Records. It is the last album to feature vocalist Jesse Leach...
, was released on May 21, 2002, putting Killswitch Engage at the forefront of the metalcore scene. Two weeks prior to going on tour, however, Leach married his fiancée. When he was not contacting his wife, Leach would sit alone in the tour bus for hours after shows and simply wait for the remaining band members to return. Leach's passion for his music combined with his emotional struggles of the time made him unable to exercise control over his screaming. He would blow his voice out after a few shows and struggled with the rest of the tour. Leach also began suffering from a mild depression which grew worse as the tour continued. According to Mike D'Antonio in an interview for Killswitch's "(Set This) World Ablaze
(Set This) World Ablaze
World Ablaze is the first live album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. The DVD is of a live show that was taped at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts on July 25, 2005...
" DVD, "It seemed like there was always this dark cloud over Jesse's head." His depression led him to resign from the band & drop out of the public eye for some time. Leach wrote an email to the band explaining why he left. Quoting Leach from his interview in the DVD, "I didn't have the mental energy to face them, or even call them on the phone rather. I was at a point in my life where I just didn't want to face any of them so I wrote them a long email explaining, like, I'm just done. Explaining what every song meant to me, explaining what the whole experience was to me, and I said 'Bye. Ya know? You're not going to be able to find me, I'm going on my honeymoon finally. And, uh, don't try and call me don't try and contact me, I'm done. Done with music, period.'"
Leach reconciled with his former bandmates at the Roadrunner United 25th anniversary concert, performing a duet with current singer Howard Jones. The entire band played on stage, minus Adam D, who had been out with an injury (and was replaced by Andreas Kisser
Andreas Kisser
Andreas Rudolf Kisser is the lead guitarist for the metal band Sepultura as well as the rock supergroup HAIL!-Biography:...
of Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
, with both Howard and Jesse singing "My Last Serenade". The song ended with the two embracing, and Leach thanking the crowd for their support through his difficult times.)
In 2003 Jesse joined a blues rock band called Seemless
Seemless
Seemless was an American rock supergroup formed by ex-Shadows Fall drummer Derek Kerswill, ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach, and ex-Overcast and ex -Killswitch Engage guitarist Pete Cortese....
. Seemless toured the US many times with bands like Fu-Manchu, The Sword, Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, and In Flames
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...
. Seemless is known for explosive, emotive live shows and showcases Leach's new-found soulful blues-y vocals. Touring with Seemless also showed the music world Jesse was back and able to complete tours. Seemless has released two albums so far and has had multiple videos featured on MTV's Headbangers ball. In 2006 their video for the single "Cast No Shadow" made MTV's Top Ten new videos. Seemless is currently writing new songs and playing out occasionally. Due to drummer Derek Kerswill's involvement with the MA metal band Unearth
Unearth
Unearth is an American metalcore band from Winthrop, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released five studio albums. Their fourth record, The March was released on October 14, 2008 meeting with high positive reception by many...
, among other projects, Seemless has taken a hiatus from the touring life.
In 2008, Jesse Leach formed the band, The Empire Shall Fall
The Empire Shall Fall
The Empire Shall Fall is an American metalcore band from Providence, Rhode Island that was formed in 2008 by former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach...
, with friends in his area. The band have now released their first independent album "Awaken" which was released on November 17, 2009.
Also, he worked on another album with Killswitch Engage bandmate, Adam Dutkiewicz. Leach has stated that the working title for the project with Adam D. is Times of Grace. Dutkiewicz also takes lead vocals on several tracks, and was released on January 18, 2011. The album's first single, "Strength in Numbers", was released October 15 via Roadrunner Records as a free digital download for 72 hours for those who signed up for the band's mailing list. The song is now available for purchase on iTunes. The album was made with the support of Killswitch Engage.
Discography
- Corrin - Despair Rides On Angel Wings [EP] (1995)
- Corrin - Corrin/Arise Split (1996)
- Corrin - Plutonian Shores (1998)
- Nothing Stays Gold - Nothing Stays Gold (EP) (1998)
- Killswitch EngageKillswitch EngageKillswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
- Killswitch Engage (July 11, 2000) - Killswitch EngageKillswitch EngageKillswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
- Alive or Just BreathingAlive or Just BreathingAlive or Just Breathing is the second studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. It was released on May 21, 2002 through Roadrunner Records. It is the last album to feature vocalist Jesse Leach...
(May 21, 2002) - SeemlessSeemlessSeemless was an American rock supergroup formed by ex-Shadows Fall drummer Derek Kerswill, ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach, and ex-Overcast and ex -Killswitch Engage guitarist Pete Cortese....
- SeemlessSeemless (album)Seemless is hard rock band Seemless's first full-length album.-Track listing:# Intro - 1:55# Something's Got To Give - 5:05# The Wanderer - 3:47# Soft Spoken Sanity - 4:21# Endless - 4:35# The Crisis - 2:48# Lay My Burden Down - 4:26...
(January 25, 2005) - SeemlessSeemlessSeemless was an American rock supergroup formed by ex-Shadows Fall drummer Derek Kerswill, ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach, and ex-Overcast and ex -Killswitch Engage guitarist Pete Cortese....
- What Have We BecomeWhat Have We BecomeWhat Have We Become is the second and final full-length album from the hard rock band Seemless.-Track listing:# In My Blood - 4:54# Cast No Shadow - 4:17# Numb - 4:16# Eyes Of a Child - 4:05# The Deep Below - 5:21# Seven - 4:06# Jaded - 4:23...
(September 5, 2006) - One Of You - N/A (Demo) (2007)
- - Demos (2008–2009)
- The Empire Shall FallThe Empire Shall FallThe Empire Shall Fall is an American metalcore band from Providence, Rhode Island that was formed in 2008 by former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach...
- AwakenAwaken (The Empire Shall Fall album)Awaken is the debut album by The Empire Shall Fall, released on November 17, 2009 through Angle Side Side Records, owned by The Empire Shall Fall's bassist, Nick Sollecito. Awaken features the vocal talents of former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach. The band cites its influences as At the...
(November 17, 2009) - The Empire Shall FallThe Empire Shall FallThe Empire Shall Fall is an American metalcore band from Providence, Rhode Island that was formed in 2008 by former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach...
- Solar Plexus (August 30, 2011) - Times of Grace - The Hymn of a Broken ManThe Hymn of a Broken ManThe Hymn of a Broken Man received generally positive reviews, scoring a 69 out of 100 on Metacritic based on seven reviews. Allmusic reviewer Phil Freeman commented that "Anyone who thought Times of Grace was going to represent some radical departure is bound to be disappointed...
(January 18, 2011)
Song meanings
When Jesse wrote songs for the Killswitch Engage album, Alive or Just Breathing, the songs had deep meanings behind them. The following meanings are quoted from his interviews:Numbered Days
'Numbered Days' is about the system of Babylon, and how the time will be coming soon for them to tumble and fall. I really believe the time is approaching swiftly.
Self Revolution
'Self Revolution' is exactly what it says. It's time to make a change within yourself, and that's up to the individual.
Fixation On The Darkness
'Fixation On The Darkness' to me is really about what the title says. It's really just looking inside yourself, we all have that darkness, and we all have that light, and just finding the balance between these two things. But for that particular song, I'm really looking at the dark side of things and that change can be made, and there are ways to overcome your situation and your problems, and the dark side of your soul.
My Last Serenade
'My Last Serenade' has a lot of meanings for me. It's really about burning bridges. There comes a time when you have to leave people behind and just let them know that you care and there's only so much love you can give somebody until they drag you down with them.
Life To Lifeless
"'Life To Lifeless' was my way of dealing with September 11th, and there are really no words for it, so I just leaned on the old philosophy: we live, we die, some people live to live some more. Life continues and if it doesn't continue, there is an afterlife. I firmly believe that. So things happen for a reason."
Just Barely Breathing
'Just Barely Breathing' is really my question to people. They need to look into themselves and ask themselves are they really alive? Are they really living life to the fullest? Or are they just getting by? And if so, if you're not happy, you need to make a change. Make a difference in the world.
To The Sons Of Man
'To The Sons of Man' is a direct song to the people, and really, the lyrics speak for themselves.
Temple From The Within
'Temple From The Within' is my ode to spirituality and the way I feel towards life. Times when I feel I can't keep pushing. I find a way and I know it's not me. It's another force so that's me paying my respects.
Vide Infra
'Vida Infra' is the good old unity song. It speaks about how there is no one else who is better than another person, and we should all have the chance for equality, and just overall to embrace love and respect for your fellow man.
Rise Inside
'Rise Inside' is really the Killswitch Engage Anthem. It tells people that no matter who you are in your life, I'm here for a reason and I'm doing the best I can to do that. We really need to embrace love and not forsake each other as human beings and realize that we are all one deep down inside. Believe it or not, I'm willing to stand up and speak my mind and tell them how I feel about things.
Guest appearances
- Killswitch Engage - "Take This Oath"
- Killswitch Engage - "Irreversal" (The End of HeartacheThe End of HeartacheThe End of Heartache is the third studio album by American metalcore band Killswitch Engage. It was released on May 11, 2004 through Roadrunner Records. It is the first album to feature lead vocalist Howard Jones from the mathcore band Blood Has Been Shed after Jesse Leach's departure from the band...
Special Edition) - Roadrunner UnitedRoadrunner UnitedRoadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
- "Blood And Flames" (Leach, HeafyMatt HeafyMatthew Kiichi "Matt" Heafy is a Japanese-American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and lead guitarist for the American Metal band Trivium. Heafy is also the vocalist for the band Capharnaum, along with Trivium's former producer Jason Suecof.-Biography:Heafy is Japanese from his mother...
, Rand, D'Antonio, KellyJohnny KellyJohnny Kelly is the former drummer for the gothic metal band Type O Negative from Brooklyn, New York. He is the current drummer for the bands Danzig, and A Pale Horse Named Death.He joined Type O Negative in 1994 to replace Sal Abruscato...
) (Roadrunner Records 25th Anniversary) - Thy Will Be Done - "Preserving The Sacred"
- Atresia - "Life from Life" (Heavy Metal Mixtape)
Acting
Leach played a small role in the 1999 film "Outside ProvidenceOutside Providence (film)
Outside Providence is a 1999 American film adaptation of Peter Farrelly's 1988 novel of the same name. Like the book, the film is a fictionalized account of Farrelly's own experiences at Kent School, a prep school in Kent, Connecticut.-Plot:...
", directed by Michael Corrente. The film is an adaptation of Peter Farrelly
Peter Farrelly
Peter John Farrelly is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and novelist. The Farrelly Brothers are mostly famous for directing and producing gross-out humor romantic comedy films such as, Dumb and Dumber, Me, Myself and Irene, There's Something About Mary and The Heartbreak...
's 1988 novel of the same name
Outside Providence
Outside Providence is an English language novel by writer, producer, and director Peter Farrelly, published in 1988.-Plot summary:Largely an autobiographical tale, the novel revolves around Timothy "Dildo" Dunphy, a ne'er-do-well from the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which borders Providence...
. Leach played a boy named Decenz.