KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Ecuador

Vocalist Jesse Leach of Massachussets metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has uploaded behind-the-scenes footage of the band's August 15 performance in Quito, Ecuador. Check it out below.

Due to a family emergency, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Joel Stroetzel was forced to sit out the group's tour dates at the end of July. Filling in for him was Ken Susi of UNEARTH.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's fifth studio album, "Disarm The Descent", sold around 48,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on April 2, 2013 via Roadrunner Records.

"Disarm The Descent" is KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's first album with original singer Jesse Leach at the vocal helm since 2002's now-classic, genre-defining "Alive or Just Breathing". Leach returned to the band in January 2012 after a decade-long absence. The artwork for the new CD was created by Mike D'Antonio.

In an interview with ARTISTdirect, Leach stated about "Disarm The Descent": "It brought some of the aggression back, but it kept the melody. I think it's kind of a return to the roots but a progression, in my mind. I feel like moving forward, we are able to do more melodic stuff if we want. We can go heavier if we want. The next record will be a true testament to the progression of this band. That's the plan."

Asked what has been on his mind lately. Leach said: "I'm overwhelmed the state of our country and the apathy of the people in this country. I'm overwhelmed with the two faced-ness of our government and all the things they're getting away with. I'm pretty frustrated as a U.S. citizen, but I look at the world as well.

"I've had the privilege of traveling and talking to other people from Germany to Thailand to Estonia. We have it pretty good here, but there needs to be some changes.

"For me, I'm almost in the mindset of Marvin Gaye, like, 'What's Going On?' I really wonder what's in people's minds and where we are right now in this state of affairs. That's where my head is at.

"For me, it's more about, 'What do we take for granted on a daily basis?' You're out here on the road. You're living this little life in a box or a bus. People are throwing adoration at you at all times, and there's got to be a balance. That speaks volumes for society.

"We live in such a comfortable society. People don't realize how bad it's getting and how bad it is all over the world. There are places where revolutions have been happening and riots. Eventually, it's going to touch down over here.

"It's easy to take things for granted. That's my big thing. Coming from a working-class background and working regular jobs and then coming back out here after years of not doing it, it blows my mind. I feel blessed, but I've got some unrest in me, and I feel like people need to wake up. There's an urgency bubbling up within me. I want to be careful to walk that fine line so I don't come off too political.

"There's nothing worse than hearing someone preach about something. You still want people to enjoy your records and the live show without being preached at. I think I'm able to work it in there lyrically without bumming people out."