Killswitch Engage singer Jesse Leach has discussed the possibility of the band releasing EPs or standalone singles instead of focusing on full-length albums, told Heavy Interviews.
Leach explained that after years of making records, he sees value in a different approach. He noted that bands often play only a small number of songs from each album during live shows, which leaves much of the material unused.
“We’ve put out enough records that the idea of putting out an EP or a couple of songs here and there, in addition to eventually putting out a record, I think is fun for me,” Leach said. “And the turnaround would be great.”
“You put out a [full-length] record, and how many of those songs do you actually play live? Maybe four, maybe five,” he continued. “So those other songs just kind of go by the wayside. Why not just put out an EP — this is just my opinion — put out an EP with four songs that you for sure are gonna play live, ’cause everyone’s, like, ‘These songs rule.’ It just cuts out the fat, I guess, and makes the touring cycle easier and more frequent. And I think in this day and age, why not adapt a little bit to the times?”
Leach stressed that he and his bandmates still value the traditional album format and concept. However, he believes an EP can also carry that same artistic vision.
“We’re old school, for sure. We all love the format of an album and the concept of an album, but I think you can pull it off in four or five songs as well,” he said. “An EP can still have a concept to it. So I’m excited to try that — if the guys are open to it. I’m just sort of putting it out there into the universe to see. ‘Cause I think it’d be fun to do that.”
Leach was exploring the idea of a shift in how Killswitch Engage approaches releasing new music. He said he wanted to gauge whether his bandmates would be interested in the approach.
The band’s latest studio album, “This Consequence,” came out on February 21, 2025, through Metal Blade Records. The release ended a gap of nearly six years since their previous album “Atonement,” marking the longest span between studio albums in Killswitch Engage’s career. During recording sessions, the band laid down 14 tracks total, but only 10 made the final cut.
The four songs that did not appear on “This Consequence” found other outlets. One unreleased track was quietly released on a compilation record to raise money for an animal shelter, and the band was working to release another song through the same company. Two additional songs are scheduled to appear as a B-side seven-inch. This approach to unreleased material shows that Killswitch Engage had already begun experimenting with different formats beyond the traditional full album.
“This Consequence” became a commercial and critical success. The album produced a Top 10 single with “I Believe” and earned the band features on the covers of Revolver and Outburn. In 2025, Killswitch Engage supported the album release with a successful winter and spring tour before joining the “Summer Of Loud” festival tour alongside Beartooth, I Prevail and Parkway Drive. The band launched a North American headlining tour in June 2026, with Machine Head, Iron Reagan, and Havok as supporting acts.
