Killswitch Engage

AS GUITARIST FOR METAL TITANS Killswitch Engage, not to mention one of the most heralded producers in the genre, Adam Dutkiewicz (otherwise known as Adam D.) could understandably be a very stern man. After all, his band’s latest crunching opus, The End of Heartache, was nominated for a Grammy and earned the band one of the main slots on this year’s Ozzfest. However—as anyone who has caught Killswitch’s live show can attest—Dutkiewicz’s demeanor seems inversely proportional to his band’s brutally epic sound; for all of Killswitch Engage’s thundering intensity, Adam D. is not just mellow, he’s downright silly. With a live DVD in the works, and Killswitch taking a much-needed break from the road, Dutkiewicz is keeping busy, producing records (including the next Underoath CD) and fielding questions via telephone.



So how was Ozzfest this year, as opposed to your first time on the tour?

It was really good this time. A noticeable difference in crowd response and overall support, kids who are stoked, so that’s pretty frickin’ sweet.



Well, you guys are a “Grammy nominated” band now. How does that feel to have that sort of title?

It’s cool I guess. It’s definitely kind of weird, but you know, it’s definitely cool. I didn’t expect it to happen, so it’s kind of like “Oh, whatever. Pretty sweet, dude.” I’m not like [assumes Stoner Bro tone] “Whoa, God this is what I was meant for!” But it’s pretty darn cool.



At least it’s something you can tell all your aunts and uncles who don’t understand what it is exactly that you do.



I can show off at family functions, I guess.



You guys certainly seem to be pretty laid-back for a metal band, joking around onstage and all that. Is that something you purposely strive for?

I do for sure, because I hate the whole thing within the metal community, where it’s like “Dude, since we’re so hard onstage, we’re gonna be awesome.” I think that whole mentality has kind of died away with all the stupid leather pants and longhair and the [assumes Viking of Death Metal tone] “Yahhhh we’re tough and blah, blah, blah.” I’m just so easygoing, I just don’t give a shit what anyone thinks.



When can we expect some new stuff?

We haven’t even written any new stuff, so probably not for a long time.



Well you’re doing the next Underoath record, so is that kind of like your day job?



Yeah, it’s funny. Everyone’s getting home and they’re taking a break, but I’m just gonna work straight through. I have no breaks whatsoever. I might have a weekend here and there, but that’s it.  

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