So knowing my lack of posting album reviews is at an all time high, because I'm slacking at life. Writer's block, Gamers block....the whole 9 yards. Yeah I know that made no sense. I'm like the female version of Beast boy from Teen Titans, I know why is a 24 year old single mother comparing herself to a cartoon character??? Good fucking question...that's just how I am at times. So anyways, let's get on this album review shall we?
Arch Enemy has become one of the better known bands in the metal scene during the recent years. It has also become easily one of the most hated bands of the internet age (in metal that is), which is not a surprise. I do agree that their popularity has not been achieved due to sheer brilliance as much as accessibility, a charismatic frontwoman (and lets face it, one that many would consider hot) and most importantly lots and lots of touring. While many would argue with the last, I say look at any successful band and you will find that they tour - a lot. I'm convinced that the band didn't even consider taking a frontman, which is sort of a shame because it speaks of their current state. Although I could be wrong and they could have done worse than Alissa White-Gluz. Whichever it remains a shame that they never utilize her skills properly, it's like Michael told her to sound as much like Angela as possible. I mean, where are the higher screams that she did in The Agonist and what about cleans. Sure they would have alienated some of the fans, but I'm not talking about the generic clean chorus - harsh verse formula, they could have been used in some intros and mid-parts. Besides a band that is afraid of alienating a few fans and thus aims to make music only to please people that buy their albums are often closing in on their end. Maybe it's just me but it seems to me that this is where Arch enemy stands now.
Now let's talk about a change that actually mattered, meaning has a possibility to affect the bands sound. Enter Nick Cordle. He actually debuted on the video version of "Under Black Flags We March". While he has taken part in the writing of the songs (yeah, White-Gluz co-wrote four lyrics) it's a chance wasted as he doesn't seem to add anything into the bands now formulaic sound. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, seeing as this is a lot better album than Khaos Legions, but just putting a symphonic intro to a song doesn't count as trying out new things. Is this a bad album then? The answer is a strict no. It's not a masterpiece either, but I do enjoy more than the last few or the Liiva albums. Yes, there it is. Even though some part of me hoped that after Angela left, a new, improve Johan would have returned, I never liked him. His era is full great songs and horrible vocals that nearly ruin some songs. I'm guessing that I wanted his return to herald a return to the greatness of Arch Enemy's prime. Tough Luck, I guess.
Now for the music itself, if you've heard one AE album - preferably the Angela era - you know what to expect. Melodic metal with growled vocals and completely unfitting c-parts stacked with boringly anthemic interludes. Put together, a very enjoyable meal. You have songs like the title songs that would be great if not hindered by the fact that it is the very epitome of an Arch enemy song, not a good attribute at this point. You have the speed and aggression of "Never Forgive, Never Forget" and the intro to "You Will Know My Name" that endlessly reminds me of "Toxicity". The best song here may be "As the Pages Burn" that has a few turn that aren't so obviously AE than the other songs.
The lyrical side to this album isn't much to discuss about, but then AE was never one for great lyrics nor are most modern metal bands for that matter. But Khaos Legions bad they are not so I'll take them without complain. All in all the album seems a bit of an opportunity passed by, yet I have enjoyed it more than any AE album in many moons. The change of a vocalist was a clever move even if it wouldn't have been their first choice, but I bet there are others like me that wouldn't really have bothered to check this out after the last one were it not for the new members.
Basically, most people hated the album, yeah it sucks that Angela is with the band anymore, but even bands have to move forward with their band mates at some point within their careers. Is that so wrong? I see no problem with it. I've always admired Alissa's style & vocals (when she was in The Agonist) at some point vocalists have to change their style in their singing...again is that so wrong? Not at all.
The album starts off with the symphonic intro, “Tempore Nihil Sanat (Prelude in F minor) complete with a choir to set the mood for what’s to come on the album.
Right from the opening screams of new vocalist “Alissa White-Gluz” in “Never Forgive, Never Forget” the song launches into the signature melodic death metal sound that the band are famous for and “White-Gluz’s” vocals are on par from the get go.
“War Eternal” is the lead single from the album. It was the first taste of what “White-Gluz” brings to the band. This track divides opinions of many fans and personally, I like what she brings to the band thus far.
“As The Pages Burn” was a personal favourite off the album with its up-tempo start continuing on with the riffs that Arch Enemy are famous for leading into another melodic chorus. Continuing on right from the chorus it launches into a melodic and ambient guitar piece right before heading back to the chorus for one last time and finishes off with a signature riff into a fade.
“No More Regrets” was a little bit of a letdown for me. The lyrical content seemed a little bland and generic and it just didn’t have the feel of an Arch Enemy song.
“You Will Know My Name” starts off with a slow and symphonic background and then gets right into it. Right at the end of the song (Towards the 3:20 mark) I had a very distinct stadium rock feel for that little moment. A very symphonic based and riff driven song.
A couple of things I have noticed so far on the album so far is that the instrumentation and vocal delivery have been consistent throughout the album and Alissa’s vocals are very raw and fit the band’s sound very well.
“Graveyard Of Dreams” is a very slow and down tempo instrumental track that leads right into another standout track “Stolen Life” with more classic riffs and the usual of what you can expect from An Arch Enemy track.
“Time Is Black” starts off with an eerie symphonic intro and bursts right into it with the heavy riffs and another consistant vocal performance from “White-Gluz”
The Final tracks that stood out to me on the album were ”Avalanche” of the symphonic presence in the song, the addition of some clean singing layered over the screams were a perfect fit for the song. “Down To Nothing” stood out because of the speed an intensity of the track and the raw sounding vocals.
The final track “Not Long For This World” was the perfect way to end the album with it being a slow and doomy instrumental track, to me, it just felt the perfect way to end the album.
Pros:
Consistency of the guitar work, drumming and vocals during the duration of the albumThe musicianship was what you would expect from Arch EnemyYou can feel what Alissa White-Gluz brings to the band
Cons:
Some of the lyrical content and song titles were a little generic and seemed to be done before
Overall Impression:
All in all, this album is almost exactly what you’d expect from Arch Enemy and now with the addition of Alissa White-Gluz, the band can only keep moving forward and do what they do so well. I can personally see this album potentially being one of the best albums of the year and fans of the band will enjoy this record.
Arch Enemy has become one of the better known bands in the metal scene during the recent years. It has also become easily one of the most hated bands of the internet age (in metal that is), which is not a surprise. I do agree that their popularity has not been achieved due to sheer brilliance as much as accessibility, a charismatic frontwoman (and lets face it, one that many would consider hot) and most importantly lots and lots of touring. While many would argue with the last, I say look at any successful band and you will find that they tour - a lot. I'm convinced that the band didn't even consider taking a frontman, which is sort of a shame because it speaks of their current state. Although I could be wrong and they could have done worse than Alissa White-Gluz. Whichever it remains a shame that they never utilize her skills properly, it's like Michael told her to sound as much like Angela as possible. I mean, where are the higher screams that she did in The Agonist and what about cleans. Sure they would have alienated some of the fans, but I'm not talking about the generic clean chorus - harsh verse formula, they could have been used in some intros and mid-parts. Besides a band that is afraid of alienating a few fans and thus aims to make music only to please people that buy their albums are often closing in on their end. Maybe it's just me but it seems to me that this is where Arch enemy stands now.
Now let's talk about a change that actually mattered, meaning has a possibility to affect the bands sound. Enter Nick Cordle. He actually debuted on the video version of "Under Black Flags We March". While he has taken part in the writing of the songs (yeah, White-Gluz co-wrote four lyrics) it's a chance wasted as he doesn't seem to add anything into the bands now formulaic sound. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, seeing as this is a lot better album than Khaos Legions, but just putting a symphonic intro to a song doesn't count as trying out new things. Is this a bad album then? The answer is a strict no. It's not a masterpiece either, but I do enjoy more than the last few or the Liiva albums. Yes, there it is. Even though some part of me hoped that after Angela left, a new, improve Johan would have returned, I never liked him. His era is full great songs and horrible vocals that nearly ruin some songs. I'm guessing that I wanted his return to herald a return to the greatness of Arch Enemy's prime. Tough Luck, I guess.
Now for the music itself, if you've heard one AE album - preferably the Angela era - you know what to expect. Melodic metal with growled vocals and completely unfitting c-parts stacked with boringly anthemic interludes. Put together, a very enjoyable meal. You have songs like the title songs that would be great if not hindered by the fact that it is the very epitome of an Arch enemy song, not a good attribute at this point. You have the speed and aggression of "Never Forgive, Never Forget" and the intro to "You Will Know My Name" that endlessly reminds me of "Toxicity". The best song here may be "As the Pages Burn" that has a few turn that aren't so obviously AE than the other songs.
The lyrical side to this album isn't much to discuss about, but then AE was never one for great lyrics nor are most modern metal bands for that matter. But Khaos Legions bad they are not so I'll take them without complain. All in all the album seems a bit of an opportunity passed by, yet I have enjoyed it more than any AE album in many moons. The change of a vocalist was a clever move even if it wouldn't have been their first choice, but I bet there are others like me that wouldn't really have bothered to check this out after the last one were it not for the new members.
Basically, most people hated the album, yeah it sucks that Angela is with the band anymore, but even bands have to move forward with their band mates at some point within their careers. Is that so wrong? I see no problem with it. I've always admired Alissa's style & vocals (when she was in The Agonist) at some point vocalists have to change their style in their singing...again is that so wrong? Not at all.
The album starts off with the symphonic intro, “Tempore Nihil Sanat (Prelude in F minor) complete with a choir to set the mood for what’s to come on the album.
Right from the opening screams of new vocalist “Alissa White-Gluz” in “Never Forgive, Never Forget” the song launches into the signature melodic death metal sound that the band are famous for and “White-Gluz’s” vocals are on par from the get go.
“War Eternal” is the lead single from the album. It was the first taste of what “White-Gluz” brings to the band. This track divides opinions of many fans and personally, I like what she brings to the band thus far.
“As The Pages Burn” was a personal favourite off the album with its up-tempo start continuing on with the riffs that Arch Enemy are famous for leading into another melodic chorus. Continuing on right from the chorus it launches into a melodic and ambient guitar piece right before heading back to the chorus for one last time and finishes off with a signature riff into a fade.
“No More Regrets” was a little bit of a letdown for me. The lyrical content seemed a little bland and generic and it just didn’t have the feel of an Arch Enemy song.
“You Will Know My Name” starts off with a slow and symphonic background and then gets right into it. Right at the end of the song (Towards the 3:20 mark) I had a very distinct stadium rock feel for that little moment. A very symphonic based and riff driven song.
A couple of things I have noticed so far on the album so far is that the instrumentation and vocal delivery have been consistent throughout the album and Alissa’s vocals are very raw and fit the band’s sound very well.
“Graveyard Of Dreams” is a very slow and down tempo instrumental track that leads right into another standout track “Stolen Life” with more classic riffs and the usual of what you can expect from An Arch Enemy track.
“Time Is Black” starts off with an eerie symphonic intro and bursts right into it with the heavy riffs and another consistant vocal performance from “White-Gluz”
The Final tracks that stood out to me on the album were ”Avalanche” of the symphonic presence in the song, the addition of some clean singing layered over the screams were a perfect fit for the song. “Down To Nothing” stood out because of the speed an intensity of the track and the raw sounding vocals.
The final track “Not Long For This World” was the perfect way to end the album with it being a slow and doomy instrumental track, to me, it just felt the perfect way to end the album.
Pros:
Consistency of the guitar work, drumming and vocals during the duration of the albumThe musicianship was what you would expect from Arch EnemyYou can feel what Alissa White-Gluz brings to the band
Cons:
Some of the lyrical content and song titles were a little generic and seemed to be done before
Overall Impression:
All in all, this album is almost exactly what you’d expect from Arch Enemy and now with the addition of Alissa White-Gluz, the band can only keep moving forward and do what they do so well. I can personally see this album potentially being one of the best albums of the year and fans of the band will enjoy this record.