Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach revealed his surprising musical preference in a recent interview. He shared his deep appreciation for reggae legend Bob Marley over metal music, as reported by Jesea Lee.
The metalcore vocalist was asked a hypothetical question about his ultimate musical choice during the interview.
When asked “If you could only listen to one band for the rest of your life, what would it be?”, Leach gave an unexpected answer.
“That is really difficult,” Leach said. “I’m going to say Bob Marley. I love reggae music.”
The vocalist went on to explain his reasoning behind choosing the Jamaican icon over his own genre.
“Bob Marley just has a way about his music,” he continued. “Whatever mood I’m in, if you put on some Bob Marley, I’m in. And he has great lyrical content. It’s not just about love. He talks about politics. He talks about spirituality. He pretty much talks about all the stuff that I care about.”
Leach’s admiration for reggae music extends far beyond this single interview. It reflects a long-standing passion that has influenced his artistic perspective throughout his career.
Blabbermouth reported that Leach has previously expressed his diverse musical interests. He stated he’s “a huge reggae lover” and “huge punk rock lover” who enjoys jazz, classical, and various other genres. His eclectic taste stems from his belief in “knowing your strengths and weaknesses” as an artist. He admits he “just can’t stick to one style.”
The vocalist’s playful relationship with reggae music has even extended to pranking his fanbase. Louder Sound revealed that Leach once posted a fake reggae track on Instagram. He humorously sang “Smoke the weed, don’t smoke the seed” before clarifying to disappointed fans that he wasn’t actually releasing a reggae album.
“I’m a huge reggae lover. I’m huge punk rock lover. Jazz/classical, you name it, I like it! It’s about knowing your strengths and weaknesses. I just can’t stick to one style,” Leach explained in the interview.
Despite his diverse musical influences, Leach’s approach to songwriting remains rooted in meaningful content. Wall of Sound noted that while Killswitch Engage aren’t overtly political, Leach strives to instill hope and connection through his music. He draws from his hardcore roots and personal experiences to create songs that resonate with listeners on multiple levels.
This revelation showcases the diverse musical influences that shape even the heaviest metal musicians.
