Label Line-Up: Century Media
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Release Date: 12th August
Track List
Handshake With Hell,
Deceiver, Deceiver,
In The Eye Of The Storm,
The Watcher,
Poisoned Arrow,
Sunset Over The Empire,
House Of Mirrors,
Spreading Black Wings,
Mourning Star,
One Last Time,
Exiled From Earth,
Line Up :
Michael Amott – Guitars
Alissa White-Gluz – Vocals
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Daniel Erlandsson – Drums J
Jeff Loomis – Guitars
Welcome to Deceivers and welcome to Arch Enemy’s eleventh album and the first since 2017’s Will to Power.
Despite the nightmare covid restrictions on an international band and getting all the members in the same room at the same time, Arch Enemy have delivered an excellent album full of the trademark riffs, Alissa White-Gruz’s death metal from hell voice, and the quality of musicianship you would expect from such an experienced band.
The opening track Handshake With Hell builds from a slow start but then starts in trademark style with powerful alternating driving riffs and then the guttural power that is Alissa White-Gluz starts. A nice mix of death and clean vocals add to the overall feel. With more of the cleaner vocals, I can hear you cry.
The first single to be released is the second track Deceiver, Deceiver. No mistaking where this is going from the start as its starts at a fast pace that doesn’t drop.
One of the aspects of this album I like is the change of pace with In The Eye Of The Storm which is a slower track but just as powerful with some seriously heavy riffs and quality guitar playing. The track starts with a militaristic marching beat that would give Rammstein a run for their money it also benefits from melodic riffs that contrast to the heavier parts of the song.
Next is The Watcher and we are back to full-on 100% Arch Enemy from the start with powerful work from the rhythm section and full-on growly vocals although some parts of the chorus did sound a bit pirate metal-like to me.
Stand out track for me is Sunset Over The Empire which starts with a strong bass riff and then the vocals start and build. This track has a hypnotic rhythm and fast and heavy riffing and changes of style and pace without ever losing its heaviness.
Overall, this album is excellent. It shows musical progression but doesn’t stray too far from what listeners want from an Arch Enemy album. It is an album that you need to listen to a few times There is a lot of hidden depth to the songs and the melodic death metal style vocals are very accessible to a new listener.
Score: 8/10
Review by: Adrian Young