Get ready for a musical reunion that’s been years in the making—but with a twist that might just divide fans. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and former frontman Howard Jones are still hashing out details with record labels for their highly anticipated BURN ETERNAL project. In a recent chat with Ore Bihovsky on TotalRock’s Louder radio show, Dutkiewicz revealed that the album is finally complete, though a release date remains elusive. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the album being ready, label negotiations are still ongoing, leaving fans in limbo. And this is the part most people miss: the project, which has been in the works since at least 2022, is a stripped-down collaboration between just Adam and Howard, whose sound Dutkiewicz describes as unmistakably “me and Howard”—a nod to their KILLSWITCH roots but with a fresh twist.
Back in August 2023, Jones teased fans on Instagram with the news of 13 demos, promising to wrap up the record “as soon as possible.” Fast forward to today, and the duo is still navigating the industry’s red tape. Here’s the kicker: Jones, who left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2012 amid battles with manic depression and bipolar disorder, has since rebuilt his career with projects like DEVIL YOU KNOW (later renamed LIGHT THE TORCH). His return to the spotlight, including a guest appearance on KILLSWITCH’s 2019 album Atonement, has been nothing short of inspiring. But his candid reflections on mental health—“I thought the high levels of anxiety I was experiencing was just my lot in life”—raise a thought-provoking question: How much do we truly understand about the pressures artists face?
Jones’s journey back to music wasn’t easy. After years of agoraphobia and isolation, he admitted to Heavy New York that he felt “tired of doing nothing” and needed to “dip [his] toe in” again. But here’s the real question: Is the music industry doing enough to support artists’ mental health? Meanwhile, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D’Antonio’s 2012 comments about Jones’s departure—citing untreated diabetes and personal struggles—still linger in fans’ minds. Was the split justified, or could more have been done to support Jones?
As we await BURN ETERNAL’s debut, one thing’s clear: this project is more than just music—it’s a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of second chances. But here’s where you come in: Do you think BURN ETERNAL will live up to the hype, or is it destined to be overshadowed by KILLSWITCH’s legacy? Sound off in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
