There’s a whole lot of soul searching going on at the Killswitch Engage camp after their shock split from lead singer Howard Jones who had been with the band for nearly 10 years. The split leaves the band without a critical element while they attempt to record their follow-up to 2009’s self-titled LP.

Trying to clear the rumours on why he so suddenly walked away from the band, Jones has jumped on the official Killswitch Engage website to assure fans that there was nothing acrimonious about the decision and that he simply couldn’t find the energy to record another record.

“Well, I guess I will shed a little light without going too deep,” he wrote. “As some of you may know, I’ve had a pretty interesting couple of years to say the least battling with some personal issues. One of the low points being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that went unchecked for years. The rest of the band stuck with me through it, and to be honest they are the ones that kept me going. The whole experience definitely put a scare in me.”

“Recently we’ve all been in writing mode but somehow I couldn’t get excited about the new album and all the touring that would go with it. The guys saw it before I did. In hindsight I now realize that my heart wasn’t in it. I have had an amazing decade with KSE. I love Justin, MikeD, Joel and Adam for hanging in there and standing by me no matter how bad it was.”

“I have so many good memories, and those are the ones that I will keep. Will I be involved in music again? Sure, I have been in bands for a little over half my life, can’t stop now. Until then, get the new KsE album, it’s going to be good. Thanks everyone for letting me try to entertain you, and I wish myself well in my future endeavors. Gone fishin’ Howard.”

There’s been a lot of speculation that original singer Jesse Leach might be roped in to join the band again, especially given he is still friendly with most of the members and plays in a side project with current Killswitch guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, called Times Of Grace.

Leach has been teasing fans on his Facebook page with cryptic messages but after being inundated with questions he pleaded for people to stop saying that if he had news to share he will share it.

For the moment Killswitch Engage are just trying to get back into the swing of things, starting with the search of a new lead singer. After numerous fans put their hands up the band have decided to formally open submissions from musicians who think they have what it takes to be their new frontman.

If you are interested you need to send an MP3 or link to one of your songs, a photo of yourself, and a brief description of yourself to [email protected] .

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