by Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach recently shared his perspective on societal divisions and what he believes is the true source of conflict. His statement was featured on Metal Global.
Leach addressed what he sees as widespread misinformation and deliberate efforts to divide people along political lines.
“I think there’s a lot of misinformation. I think there’s a lot of things that are going on that mislead people to sort of continue the divide. I think it’s all rigged,” Leach said. “My opinion, my honest, humble opinion is, don’t believe everything you’ve see and hear. Some of it’s meant to trigger your emotions, to make you angry and to hate somebody who doesn’t agree with you.”
The vocalist then shifted focus to what he considers the real issue facing society.
“I think what we need to do as people is look at the much bigger picture, and the bigger picture to me is poor people, the working class, we’re being stomped on by these very wealthy oligarchs, these people who have all the power, the one-percenters,” he continued. “That is the divide. It’s actually a war of classism. It has nothing to do with left and right. Left and right is a distraction to what is actually happening.”
Leach emphasized the need for unity against what he sees as the true source of societal problems.
“And the real enemy are these multi-billionaires that are pulling the strings. It’s puppetry. It’s bred and circus. It’s what’s been going on since the dawn of kingdoms and empires, the Roman Empire,” he said. “The Roman Empire didn’t die and go away. It just transformed into a different style of world government, and we’re living through that right now.”
The musician concluded by describing his approach to these issues and his broader perspective on current events.
“So, to me, I pay attention to it, but I don’t get super hyped up and emotional and lash out against people who don’t agree with me. I’m trying to find a bigger solution,” Leach stated. “And to me, that’s class war. We’re witnessing class war, but it’s written so well, the propaganda is so good that we think each other is the problem. That’s the big picture to me.”
These comments reflect Leach’s ongoing commitment to addressing social and political issues through his platform as a prominent metal vocalist.
MetalSucks reported that Leach has previously spoken out strongly against racism and bigotry. He emphasized that silence on these issues amounts to complicity and that it is important to take a stand despite potential backlash from fans. This stance demonstrates his willingness to use his voice for causes he believes in, even when it might alienate portions of his audience.
The Killswitch Engage frontman has also drawn parallels between current societal conditions and dystopian fiction. Blabbermouth noted that Leach has likened current political polarization and societal control to dystopian themes from science fiction movies such as 1984 and Idiocracy. He highlighted how misinformation and emotional manipulation continue to deepen divides in society.
These perspectives align with Leach’s broader philosophy about the role of artists in addressing social issues. His approach combines personal reflection with calls for collective action. He positions himself as someone who seeks to bridge divides rather than deepen them.
Leach’s commentary represents a growing trend among metal musicians who use their platforms to address political and social concerns. It demonstrates how the genre continues to serve as a vehicle for challenging established power structures and encouraging critical thinking among listeners.
