By Kyle Tucker

Killswitch Engage is a rising force in the hard core/metal music scene. In addition to releasing three albums since their debut in 2000, they have consistently impressed fans with their electrifying live performances. They performed as part of the Headbangers’ Ball Tour in 2003 and Ozzfest in 2005 and released a tour/documentary DVD earlier this year. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with lead guitarist Joel Stroetzel to ask about their upcoming Sounds of the Underground show, their penchant for performing live, and their new studio album.

K: What is your background in music?
J: Before we created Killswitch in 2000, I played (along with Adam Dutkiewitz) for Aftershock. But I’ve been playing music all my life.

K: When did you first realize that hard core was the type of music you wanted to play?
J: Pretty much ever since I could play guitar I’ve been into metal. I remember in the early 90s, when I was only 11 or 12, I started out practicing Metallica songs. My interest in this type of music has only grown over the years.

K: You play the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA on July 14th as closers for the Sounds of the Underground show. Tell me about it.
J: We’re very excited, we like doing big shows close to home. There’s going to be something like 10 bands there, including In Flames and As I Lay Lying ~ it is going to be an awesome time.

K: How do you like playing the Tweeter Center?
J: It’s great. We’re a Massachusetts-born band, so playing here puts us right at home. The fans are amazing. With only one show this summer, there’s no place we’d rather be.

K: So this is the only Killswitch concert all summer?
J: The Sounds show (7/14) is our only one scheduled. We’re in the early stages of planning for a new album and we want to devote most of our time to that.

K: When will the new album be coming out?
J: We’ll be working on it in June and July and it should hit shelves in the first week of November.

K: Any new music videos on the horizon?
J: Oh yeah, we’ll definitely be working on some new ones, but for the time being that’s going to have to wait until we can record our first tracks in the studio.

K: You guys have now made an international name for yourselves, in fact you’re even listed in Wikipedia – Would it still be fair to call Killswitch a local band?
J: MA is our home, no matter how far we go on tour we always have the most fun back home. Last July we played the Palladium in Worcester. It went so well we made it the centerpiece of our DVD (Set This World Ablaze).

K: The footage on the DVD reinforces the exceptional reputation you guys have for live performances. What’s your secret to doing so well live?
J: It’s all about having a good time. When we’re on the road we’re constantly goofing around and just enjoying the whole thing. Live shows are basically huge parties with lots of friends. We love it.

Killswitch Engage plays the Sounds of the Underground Tour in the Tweeter Center Parking Lot (885 South Main Street, Mansfield, MA) at 1pm on 7/14. Tix are $29.50 and $35.00. For more info call 508-339-2331