Killswitch Engage Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz Talks ‘Disarm the Descent’ and Cadbury Eggs

'Disarm The Descent', the latest album from the Massachusetts metal band Killswitch Engage, marks the return of original singer Jesse Leach to the group. After ten years away, Leach brings back the voice that powered the group to gold records and Grammy nominations.

"This album is a bit different," Killswitch guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz admitted over the phone while taking in his first Red Sox game in quite a while. "We’ve got a new singer. Well, a new old singer. Jesse’s brought a new perspective. "

Dutkiewicz took a break from touring and promoting the new album, due out April 2nd, to have a deep conversation about where he envisions metal heading in the next twenty years and to ponder a simple cure for all the world's disease.

Kidding. We talked about Easter candy, baseball and living with other dudes for half a year.

I’ve got to warn you, I just housed about a bag of Easter candy. Things might get a little odd. Do you think this is why America is so fat? I’m eating holiday candy well before the actual holiday.

I think America is fat because people are lazy. I eat a ton of food, but I also work out. I did just go out last night and load up on Cadbury Eggs. I met buddies at a pub and afterwards I was compelled to go buy those eggs.

You have to get them early in shelf life.

Totally! If you wait it out, the insides get all gummy and weird. One year, I bought a crap ton of them and had this idea I was going to eat them throughout the year. A couple months later the insides got all chunky and weird.

The same can be said about music right? People buy music expecting to get something out of a band and they get angry when the band tries to give them something different.

That’s natural though, but it’s because every band or sound gives people a certain feeling and people naturally just want more of that feeling. It might not even be the music. People get nostalgic over a record because of factors happening in real life and the music transports them to that moment. I’ve been guilty of that with stuff from artists I love but I don't immediately like something new they've put out. I’ve learned to give it a chance and usually come around on it. The worst is to stick with your initial reaction without giving the work a few more chances. Of course, after a couple listens, it could just be shitty music.

Do musicians get caught in that trap of “pleasing the fans” and putting out the same album fans want to hear instead of trying out new sounds?

At the end of the day, the band should do what the hell it wants. If their heart is into it the fans will be able to connect. Music has to be heartfelt and feel real. If you spit out another album, just to sound like an old album, fans will figure that out.

Roadrunner Records

The new album 'Disarm The Descent' hits April 2nd. What can fans and new listeners expect?

We made the same fucking album as last time. I’m kidding. It’s a bit different because we’ve got a new singer. Well, a new old singer. Jesse’s brought a new perspective. I felt the last record we made was a little on the slow side and a little too singer/songwriter and this is a much faster paced metal album.

I heard you’re a huge Red Sox fan?

Yes, and speak of the devil, I’m watching a spring training game against the Yankees right now.

I’m a Yankees fan and I’m pretty certain our teams will be fighting for last place in the AL East basement. What do you think of the Sox chances this season?

To be honest, I haven’t really been paying very close attention the past few months. We just got back from being overseas. I’m not optimistic, that’s for sure. One look at our starting rotation and I’m 100% doubtful.

Well it can’t get much worse than last year, if you’re looking for a bright side.

No, no it can’t get much worse. Last year I actually turned into an anti-Red Sox fan, where I just wanted them to lose as much as possible so every fan would get super angry and something would be done about the team.

The Red Sox couldn’t gel as a team. The same issue sometimes pops up with a band. You’re not managing twenty five egos like a baseball roster on any given day, but four or five people can be just as tough to manage.

That’s a very valid point. A band can only be successful if there is glue that keeps it together. Everyone has to be on the same page and looking out for one another. If not, things could get dicey because you’re in close quarters with these guys for half the year. You’re sharing a bus, you’re sharing a hotel room, and you’re kind of married to these other dudes in the band.