One of the best kept secrets in the metal world is that Arch Enemy recorded a
new album with a new front woman. No idea how they managed in a world where
twitter and facebook rule to not get that leaked.
Angela Gossow decided to take a step back although she is still responsable for
the management of the band. She has even adviced the band to take her friend Alissa
White-Gluz as her follow up. You know her from the Agonist and Kamelot. I don't
think it would be fair to compare both vocalists to decide who is better or
worse. It surely isn't easy to follow up an aggressive singer like Angela. You
hear differences of course, but Alissa grunts and screams a bit the same like
Angela. I didn't miss Angela on the album because Alissa does a nice job and we
have to accept that Arch Enemy goes on without miss Gossow.
The music is very recognizable and still contains great guitar riffs. In the
shadow of the vocal change, the brother of Michael Amott left the band also. A new
guitarist called Nick Cordle (ex Arsis) took his place. Like I already wrote,
the great riffs still are a main ingredient of the music so on that part the
departure of Christopher Amott isn't noticed. Michael's soli are again world
class and he juggles one beautiful melodic solo after the other out of his
guitar. The only song that is a little too average in my opinion is "You Will
Know My Name", but they compensate that completely with a fast track like
"Stolen Life" and songs with symphonic orchestral pieces like "Time is Black"
and "Avalanche". Adding symphonic elements in the music is new for Arch Enemy,
but as long as they don't overdo it, I don't mind.
An Arch Enemy album that will be liked by all their fans and sure some will miss
Angela, but I am sober enough not to live in the past and look at today's
reality and that is with Alissa as their new singer.
......and damn
those guitarsoli are good!
