Steffen: Thank you Joel for joining me today. First off I have a few questions about the new album "Disarm the Decent"; How was writing the new album? This one seems to be quite heavier.
Joel: We're all fired up for the new album. We've been touring like crazy, and having a blast doing so. The heavier sound of the album wasn't a conscious decision, it just turned out that way.

Steffen: How was writing Disarm the Decent with Jesse back in the band? Especially since he's been absent from KSE for a decade.
Joel: It was definitely fun, but the problem was we all live in different areas these days, so it was difficult to write normally. Everyone wrote different riffs and lines and when we all met up to record we all had our own parts to add.

Steffen: Now you guys recently released the video for "In Due Time". Can you explain the theme of the video?
Joel: Well, we wanted to show the two sides of the band; how we perform and us with our friends. It was a very personal video, showing how we act normally with our buds.

Steffen: Nice. You guys are about to start the European side of the tour. Are you excited?
Joel: Hell yeah! We have a bunch of club dates all over Europe and we can't wait.

Steffen: Can you describe how your fans are reacting to Jesse's return; especially your New England fans?
Joel: We've gotten an awesome reaction to Jesse coming back. The New England fans have been the best so far.
Steffen: It's like the return of old KSE for them, right?
Joel: Absolutely. They were our local fans when we were starting out.

Steffen: Now back to the tour. Are there any pre-show rituals you guys have? And who are some of your favorite bands to tour with?
Joel: We don't do anything special before the show. We just relax; have a beer, nothing special. Some of bands we love to tour with? In Flames, As I Lay Dying, Soilwork, they're all awesome. Great guys to hang out with.

Steffen: Whats on your Ipod right now?
Joel: I actually have it right here. Right now I'm listening to Lord Hero. I've been really digging them right now.

Steffen: Now can I get your perspective on the state of metal today?
Joel: Metal today is kind of a mixed bag. There are so many bands out there it becomes generalized by its size. There are stand out bands though, but the flip side of that is it keeps bands looking for a unique sound.

Steffen: Thank you Joel, you've been awesome. Anything you'd like to close out on?
Joel: Yea the new album comes out April 2nd; pick it up! We worked hard on it and thanks for sticking with us!

Related Links:
Official Killswitch Engage Website

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