The lyric video for "Wounds I've Made" accompanies the first single from BURN ETERNAL, reuniting singer Howard Jones and guitarist/producer Adam Dutkiewicz. The song is available to stream, while their self-titled debut album is set for February 26 through Metal Blade. Pre-orders are open.
Jones connects the single to accepting past mistakes while making room for change. "'Wounds I've Made' is about both acknowledging mistakes and regrets of the past, while also constantly evolving and moving forward," he says. "Sometimes change hurts, but it's necessary for self-growth and to avoid being stuck in the past. Some relationships aren't meant to be."
For Dutkiewicz, the release brings one of the project's earliest compositions to listeners. "We are glad to finally release 'Wounds I've Made.' It's crazy to think that this was one of the first songs I wrote for this project… six years ago! I really hope you guys dig it," he states.
The collaboration began with a dinner in the UK. Killswitch Engage was there supporting Iron Maiden, and Jones was also performing in the country. During their meeting, Jones asked Dutkiewicz, "Hey, do you have any riffs for me to sing over?"
They began co-writing and making demos without any promise of label backing. Sessions across multiple studios eventually produced BURN ETERNAL's debut LP. Working without a deadline gave the pair time to explore their creative relationship.
Jones describes the experience as "a longstanding itch, you finally got to scratch," adding that "it was a fun situation because there weren't any expectations." Dutkiewicz also points to Jones' willingness to experiment: "Howard has changed a lot as a person since we last worked together." He describes the singer as "an open book" during writing, ready to try different ideas.
The musicians' shared history follows their beginnings in New England's underground: Jones with Blood Has Been Shed, and Dutkiewicz with Aftershock before Killswitch Engage. Their work together in Killswitch Engage included The End of Heartache, which earned the band's first GRAMMY nomination and won best album at the 2004 Metal Hammer Golden God Awards. The announcement also identifies 2006's platinum-selling As Daylight Dies as Killswitch Engage's best-selling album to date.
Jones' other projects include Devil You Know, which won best new band at the 2012 Golden God Awards; Light The Torch, whose albums include Revival (2018) and You Will Be the Death of Me (2021); and SION with Jared Dines. His guest appearances include recordings with Body Count, Crobot and Dee Snider.
Dutkiewicz is a founding member of Killswitch Engage, with more than 25 years of work as a guitarist, writer and producer. His production credits include Underoath, Parkway Drive and Shadows Fall, alongside his own projects Times of Grace and Serpentine Dominion.
BURN ETERNAL's nine-track debut features artwork by Travis Smith. Multiple vinyl variations will be available worldwide, including TalkShop Live and Metal Injection editions, with purchasing options organized by territory. The accompanying artist photograph is credited to Travis Shinn.
- Wounds I've Made
- No Escape
- Blackheart
- To Bear the Cross
- Scared of Shadows
- Bitter Pill
- Learning to Let Go
- Born Again
- Fell Silent
