Rockezine.com interview with Killswitch Engage on Sep 19, 2006

with Adam Dutkiewicz on Sep 19, 2006

Roadrunner Records releases the new Killswitch album called: As Daylight Dies, you can read the review of this album here. A few months ago I did an interview with Adam from Killswitch, and we had a very funny and nice conversation.
		How are you? Good man.
		Do you like it in the Netherlands? Yeah, I always love it.
		What`s the best part of being in the Netherlands? The cheese and I love Amsterdam because of the beer.
		What`s the best beer you`ve had here? Hoegaarden, but I think that`s a beer from Belgium.
		Do you like the promo tour? Yeah man, but we`ve done this before. It`s chill.
		What do you do in your spare time during the promo tour? What spare time, hahaha. No, pretty much what I always do, drink beer and hang out. That`s the way you get through it.
		Which countries did you visit for this promo tour? We just came from London, we were one day there.
		The new album As Daylight Dies, what`s your own opinion about it? It`s alright. Hahaha.
I`m not going to talk about how great we are		Sometimes people say that their new album is the best album they`ve ever made. Uhm, well I`m not going to talk about how great we are. I`m not that kind a guy. It`s a collection of songs we put together the best we could. We worked hard on it.
		What`s the best part of the album? … when it`s over. Hahahaha I guess probably the fact that we stretched a little bit to reach something we haven`t reached before. A little more dynamic, little more up and down, trying to keep the listeners attention.
		And what`s the worst part of the album? That it`s us. Hahahahaha. Honestly there is always stuff about a record that isn`t perfect but I don`t really care for this. Not everything you do can be great. Do I think there are better songs than others: yes. Do I think there are songs that aren`t that good: yeah.
		What`s the best song from the new album? I don`t know. It`s funny I really don`t grab a certain song like: "that song is the f*cking best.".
		The album was ready a few weeks ago isn`t it? (question was asked in September) It was pretty refreshing actually. You know, we`re the kind of over-analytical dudes, we just keeping beating that sh*t out of stuff. It was just refreshing to take the ball and run with it and just make the record really freaking fast.
		How was it in the studio? Cool, very relaxed. We knew exactly what we wanted before we started.
		How long did the recordings sessions take? … about three months.
		Why should people buy As Daylight Dies? I don`t know, why should they?
		What are your expectations? I go into this with no expectations. I guess that`s the only way to do it, we`re all just simple dudes. We don`t think things like we`re going to change people`s lives, we just trying to write music we feel good about.
		Where do you get your influence to write the songs? From everything. When a car broke a muffler, I can think: "Hell that`s sounds cool, let`s make a riff", or when a cell-phone rings. I get influence from everything.
		What`s more important for you: the music or the lyrics? The music probably. Music will inspire you to write a certain lyric, music can convey an emotion or feeling and that`s a good foundation to inspire lyrics.
		Do you ever want to make a concept album? I wouldn`t be opposed to it but it`s not something I want to do before I die.
		Is there something (left) you want to do with Killswitch before you`re dead? Hell no, we`ve pretty much seen a lot of success. More then I ever imagined.
		Was this your dream when you were a small Adam in primary school? Not at all.
		What was your dream when you were just a kid? I wanted to be a professional video gamer.
		Which band in the past was the greatest influence for Killswitch? There`s no band that I can name as an influence for us. I listen to almost every genre and I listen a lot of music. When I was a young guy I listened to Van Halen, but I don`t want to mention it as influence.
		Is there still something you want to with this band you never did before? Like I said we got into this band for the fun of it and we had more success then we ever imagined. We`re lucky.
		What`s the worst show you ever played? A lot, hahahaha. In the beginning we played for five people. When there are five people you try to make the show memorable. Like getting of-stage playing at the bar and drink some beers. Hahaha.
		What are the plans after the release? Tour our balls of. We`re playing a headlining tour in the States and Europe.
		What do you prefer: drumming, guitar playing or producing? All three are kind of fun. Guitar playing and producing are kind of fun. When you play the drums you have to carry a lot of sh*t. Being home and producing is cool but playing guitar on tour is also cool.
		I name some albums and you need to describe them in a few words. Ok. Metallica – Master Of Puppets Great. Placebo – Placebo Great The Game – Documentary The Game? Never heard. It`s hip hop? I don`t listen to hip hop, my girl does. Maybe she knows it. Slayer – Raining Blood Classic. We toured with them last year. When your on tour with Slayer, all the Slayer fans say: "fck you, give me slayer". Korn – See You On The Other Side Fck Korn The Beatles – The Yellow Submarine I love the Beatles Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache F*ck those guys. Pantera – Vulgar Display Of Power Amazing.
		My last question, what`s your favourite classic metal album? If you call Metallica classic metal; Metallica was my gateway through metal.
		Thanks for the interview. No problem.
Pictures taken from www.roadrunnerrecords.nl (Jeroen Habets)