KILLSWITCH ENGAGE HEADS TO WARPED, BRIDGING METAL AND PUNK?

Killswitch Engage has signed on to join the Warped Tour this year, and they talk about being a bridge between Metal and Punk.

Killswitch Engage is set to take part in this year’s Warped Tour, which kicks off June 29 in Pomona, California. This isn’t the first time the band has entered into the world of Alternative, Hardcore, Ska, and punk. The band was on the inaugural Taste Of Chaos tour a few years back, which is also organized by Warped Tour mastermind Kevin Lyman.

The band looks to be metal’s bridge to the hardcore, punk and alternative youth, and the band talks about being an ambassador for metal in a punk/alternative/indie tour.

[Justin Foley] “Imagine the first impression of Adam and the metal kids, I wonder what they’d think. [Stroetzel] “Everybody has the attitude that metal is music. It’s for everybody. You don’t have to wear certain clothes or be a certain way to get into it. I know a lot of punk rock kids say, ‘Oh, I’m not going to listen to those guys, they’re too metal for me.’ Who cares? It’s all music. None of us take it too seriously. We’re just in it to have a good time. Why else would you want to do it?”

Some have even suggested that they’re picking up the metal flag that was left off by Pantera. The band doesn’t view themselves as close to the Pantera level.

[Stroetzel] “I would never in a million years ever think of us being on a Pantera level, you know (laughs). I can’t even imagine being on that level.” [Foley] “I can’t even…just from all my friends that love them I could never see our band as a band that kids looked at the way everybody I know looked at them or any of those bands.”

Meanwhile, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz is back after a two month hiatus due to an injured back. The band’s running joke was that people should send Adam any kind of smoked snack or Jerky product as Killswitch took up the mantra on their international tour, “Jerky Around The World.” The guitarist has been inundated with all kinds of smoked meats ever since. Killswitch Engage is out touring in support of their latest effort As Daylight Dies.