Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach says he hopes to be an “instrument of light” in a world marred by conflict and tragedy.
The vocalist slams the use of death as a “political platform” and the widespread “denial of deep-rooted inequality” in modern society – but adds that he tries to do his part by writing songs which address these issues.
He says: “The fact that we as a people use death as a political platform or an agenda is despicable. The denying of deep-rooted inequality is also equally despicable.
“How can we foster progress and actual equality when no one is willing to listen to each other? We must be willing to be considerate and walk in one another’s shoes to find understanding. I don’t see much of that sadly, just division and disregard for one another.
“What a sad, troubled and shockingly ignorant state of affairs we are caught in these days. The division between us as a people grows daily due tragic events paired alongside calculated disinformation and false flag or ‘wagging the dog.’
“Instead of uniting to stand against a common enemy – the ones in power that manipulate justice and care not for the common people – we are divided against each other. While we bicker and fight over hashtags and who’s killing who, the clandestine dismantling of this country and the world economy continues unchecked.
“Racism is alive and well people. It is being arrogantly displayed by many on both ‘sides’ of the current issues. Yet we are distracted by social status, fantasy games and vanity glued to our phones like zombies. We swallow manufactured media as click-bait conspiracies to occupy our minds.”
Leach continues: “The only thing I can offer is my personal action. My lyrics in my music, my choices, the companies I support or boycott with money.
“I am just a man trying to find understanding and do the best that I can to help in anyway. I will continue to strive to write lyrics and songs for all of us.”
His statement can be viewed in full below.
Killswitch Engage will appear at Chicago Open Air this weekend of their latest album Incarnate before heading to the UK next month. They’ll also support Bullet For My Valentine on their winter UK tour later this year.
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Killswitch Engage 2016 tour dates
Jul 17: Bridgeview Chicago Open Air, IL
Aug 06: Bangor Rise Above Fest, ME
Aug 07: Montreal HeavyMTL, QC
Aug 08: Coney Island Coney Island Amphitheater, NY
Aug 08: Baltimore Pier 6 Pavilion, MD
Aug 11: Pittsburgh Stage AE, PA
Aug 12: Toronto Danforth Music Hall, ON
Aug 13: Pontiac DirtFest, MI
Aug 15: Tulsa Brady Theater, OK
Aug 16: Dallas The Bomb Factory, TX
Aug 18: Springfield Illinois State Fair, IL
Aug 19: Omaha 89.7 River’s Rockfest @ Westfair Amphitheater, NE
Aug 20: Columbia The Blue Note, MO
Aug 21: Madison Allianz Energy Center Exhibition Hall, WI
Aug 23: Clive 7 Flags Event Center, IA
Aug 24: Brookings Swifter Center, SD
Aug 25: Fargo Schools Arena, ND
Aug 27: Regina Evraz Place, SK
Aug 28: Edmonton Recall Place, AB
Aug 29: Calgary Eagle Event Center, AB
Aug 30: Epenticton Okanagan Events Centre, BC
Sep 01: San Francisco Regency Music Hall, CA
Sep 02: Los Angeles Novo, CA
Sep 03: Las Vegas Brooklyn Bowl, NV
Sep 05: Seattle WaMu Theater, WA
Sep 06: Spokane Star Theater at Spokane Arena, WA
Sep 07: Boise Taco Bell Arena, ID
Sep 10: Denver High Elevation Fest, CO
Sep 17: Mashantucket Revolution Rock Festival, CT
Sep 18: Chester Rock Allegiance Fest, PA
Nov 24: Newport Centre, UK
Nov 27: Newcastle O2 Academy, UK
Nov 30: Glasgow O2 Academy, UK
Dec 03: Manchester Academy, UK
Dec 06: Birmingham O2 Academy, UK
Dec 09: London O2 Academy Brixton, UK
