ARCH ENEMY „“Rise of the Tyrant””

Music: Melodic Death/Gothenburg
Country: Sweden
Web site: www.archenemy.net
Cool Songs: Blood on Your Hands, In This Shallow Grave, Intermezzo Liberte

In 2005, ARCH ENEMY released “Doomsday Machine.” A tour on Ozzfest 2005 and lauded videos on The Headbanger’s Ball led to success yet unseen for the group. However, shortly after releasing this groundbreaking album, Christopher Amott left the group. His departure was seen as a major event for, along with his brother Michael, Christopher comprised one-half of one of today’s premiere duel axe attacks. Not only has the Amott brother handled guitar duties since the first album “Black Earth,” they also show a chemistry and technical proficiency seldom achieved by rock guitar duos. Former NIGHTRAGE and DREAM EVIL guitarist, Gus. G. filled in for Christopher on their Ozzfest stint and OPETH’s Fredrik Ĺkesson took over as full-time guitarist, but the group wasn’t the same. Even though ARCH ENEMY sought the talents of Akesson and Gus G., the two never made it onto a recording, as Christopher Amott made his triumphant return with their latest opus, “Rise of the Tyrant.”

“Rise of the Tyrant” is everything fans of the band have come to expect. The Amott brothers sound as if Christopher had never exited the band, doing what they do best: ripping out solo after solo and melody after melody. Just like past efforts, the two also successfully bridge the gap of the classic metal sound with the modern. Angela Gassow’s throaty screams sound as (male)volent as ever. Sharlee D’ Angelo gives his best bass performance since joining the group. Fredrik Nordström’s production allows for D’Angelo’s bass and Erlandsson’s drums to construct a thick backdrop.

ARCH ENEMY never made the leap into the metal mainstream until they dumped front man, Johan Axelsson. The reason they gave for his pink slip was his lack of charisma on stage. They found the perfect replacement in Angela Gassow. Gassow brims with energy, particularly on stage. Moreover, the fact that their singer is a “she” and not a “he” with the ability to unleash hellish screams rarely attained by any women, much less a man, became the talk of many metal circles. As great a vocalist Gassow is, she is not the main reason I’ve returned to this band, album after album, since their conception. The component of ARCH ENEMY I find so appealing is the guitar theatrics of the Amott brothers.

“Rise of the Tyrant” does not disappoint in the area of the guitars. In fact, this album shows the brothers achieve technical brilliance as never before seen. The two combine precise, rapid finger tapping to usher in the album with “Blood on Your Hands.” They alternate this style with down picking, a grandiose bar chord pre-chorus and a soaring melody for the chorus. “The Last Enemy” and “In this Shallow Grave” shows their speed-picking prowess, seemingly picking a million notes a minute. Tracks like “Revolution Begins” and what seems like a modified rhythm of BLACK SABBATH’s “Heaven and Hell” at the beginning of “Vultures” have a fist-banging, old school metal goodness.

ARCH ENEMY albums are always difficult to compare from album to album because the band never strays from their style. Although their albums have changed in the area of dynamics since “Black Earth,” the sound remains. ARCH ENEMY has a definite Gothenburg sound, but they have enough identity and guitar shredding to make their music clearly identifiable. If one thing can be said about “Rise of the Tyrant,” the Amott brothers have incredulously added even more solos.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1. Blood on Your Hands
2. The Last Enemy
3. I Will Live Again
4. In This Shallow Grave
5. Revolution Begins
6. Rise of the Tyrant
7. The Day You Died
8. Intermezzo Liberte
9. Night Falls Fast
10. The Great Darkness
11. Vultures 06:35
Total playing time 48:32

Line-up

Angela Nathalie Gossow – Vocals
Michael Amott – Guitar
Christopher Amott – Guitars
Sharlee D'Angelo
Daniel Erlandsson – Drums