Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach says that live performance remains a vital tool for managing his mental health. In a new interview with Kati Rausch of “Music Interview Corner,” Leach and guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz discussed the personal and global themes behind their latest album, This Consequence.
Leach, who has frequently addressed his struggles with mental illness publicly, explained that while he has made significant personal progress, he views his condition as something to manage rather than cure.
“I’m in a much better place than I ever have been because I’m working on it. It’s something that you can’t get rid of when you have mental illness. You just have to learn to live with it,” Leach said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I’ve done that, and music is definitely part of my therapy.”
For Leach, the concert stage provides a necessary emotional release. He emphasized the importance of remaining present during shows to fully experience that catharsis.
“Every night I’m on stage, I’m in those songs,” Leach noted. “When I do that, I come off that stage feeling like I’ve just let out a lot of stuff… It feels really good just to really be present to the lyrics and to the spirit and to the connection that we can get from the audience. That in itself is good therapy.”
The lyrical content of This Consequence, released in February 2025 via Metal Blade, was heavily influenced by the social climate following the pandemic. Leach stated that he wanted to address the lack of civil discourse in modern society.
“Coming out of the pandemic, to me, it’s just reflecting on the way we treat each other. There’s no conversations. It’s all arguing, bickering, hatred,” Leach observed. “For me, I just see the bigger picture, that we are so much more united. We have much more in common than we do our differences.”
The recording process for the album was notably difficult. Leach admitted that pushing for a genuine product was a humbling experience that he has no desire to repeat, though he values the growth it spurred.
“We were just pushing really hard to put something out that felt quality, that felt genuine, and it definitely was quite a journey to get there,” Leach said. “It changed me as a writer. It changed me and humbled me too.”
Dutkiewicz added that the friction was intentional, noting that artists often need to be pushed out of a slump to produce their best work.
“I think Jesse‘s hit a wall in the past before with finding enough inspiration, motivation to write things that feel completely energized and fresh,” Dutkiewicz said. “So to challenge yourself is good.”
When asked about the impact their music has on fans, particularly those who claim the lyrics saved their lives, Leach expressed deep gratitude.
“It’s wild to even hold on to that thought or that feeling. It’s such an honor to be able to help anyone in any way,” Leach said. “I’m just grateful that people love what we do and we are able to make that connection.”
Dutkiewicz echoed the sentiment, stating that his primary goal on stage is simply to generate positivity. “I’m only having a good show when I notice people having a good time… If I see someone being happy, it makes me happy.”
This Consequence tracklist:
- “Abandon Us”
- “Discordant Nation”
- “Aftermath”
- “Forever Aligned”
- “I Believe”
- “Where It Dies”
- “Collusion”
- “The Fall of Us”
- “Broken Glass”
- “Requiem”
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