During a recent appearance on the 96.7 KCAL-FM radio show “Wired In The Empire,” Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach spoke with host Mike “Radioactive MikeZ” Zara about his shifting perspective on Metallica‘s highly successful 1991 self-titled release, widely known as the Black Album.
The singer admitted that the record’s commercial pivot initially alienated him when he was younger, but his appreciation for the massive hits has grown over time.
“Yeah, man, that’s a huge record. I look back on it, it’s got so many hits on it. For me, it was, obviously, such a radical change for that band. And I think at the time I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now. I think for me, I was one of those people who was, like, ‘Ah, it’s so different,’ but the more you listen to that record, the more it grows on you. And it’s still Metallica, but it was very different. And now, obviously, the hits — it’s ridiculous. ‘Enter Sandman‘ was a big one for me. I still love that song. I can’t hate on it. When I was younger, I kind of did, though, to be fair,” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
He further defended the thrash legends’ right to experiment with their sound, highlighting the undeniable impact of their early catalog and the strength of their modern output.
“You gotta allow bands to do what they gotta do. And Metallica‘s one of those bands, even if they went a little that way, they came back in. The last two records have been great. They’re one of those bands — I can’t hate on Metallica. I can’t. They’re the forefathers of all of this stuff, and just those first four records alone — untouchable. Untouchable,” he continued.
When questioned about which track from the Black Album he would hypothetically cover, the frontman outlined a unique approach for the record’s lead single.
“I would do an acoustic version of ‘Enter Sandman‘. Mellow it way out with, like, 12 strings and make it sort of psychedelic. I think turning that song into sort of a psychedelic lullaby would be a cool way to go. Almost like a ‘Planet Caravan‘ style. Something different. Flip it around,” he concluded.
Killswitch Engage launched a United States run earlier this month. The trek features an opening package consisting of Machine Head, Iron Reagan, and Havok.
The Massachusetts metalcore pioneers dropped their ninth full-length studio effort, This Consequence, in February 2025 through Metal Blade Records. The project serves as their sixth album overall featuring Jesse Leach on vocals, and his fourth since his return to the lineup in 2012.
Killswitch Engage remaining tour dates:
- June 16 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live Orlando
- June 17 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle Atlanta
- June 19 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
- June 20 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
- June 21 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
- June 23 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center
- June 24 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee Theatre
- June 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
- June 27 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield
