Tracks
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This is the third album by Arch Enemy I have enjoyed in full, and the second one with the charismatic Alyssa White-Gluz, who replaced the equally emblematic Angela Gossow.
If you are familiar with Arch Enemy, there will be no surprises on this album – the melodic hooks are even more prominent, the performance – proficient, technical and lightning-fast. This is also Arch Enemy’s first album with guitar virtuoso Jeff Loomis, formerly of Nevermore.
The album, whose title borrows from Nietzsche explores the darker side and excesses of human power and puts them against the value of individuality, of struggling to reach and achieve your dreams. The first song in this vein that I heard was The World is Yours which has an insanely catchy hook over which Alyssa sings, ‘if you want the world/use your mind/take control’. The tune is powerful, uplifting and does not slow down for just under 5 minutes featuring an old-school melodic break, with a whispered (to a great effect, I might add) vocal part. This works superbly well live, too.
The Eagle Flies Alone is a celebration of Alyssa’s ethical beliefs and vegan lifestyle, set over a heavy, brutally-so, riff and – perhaps no need to even mention this as this is a staple for any Arch Enemy song – rapid-fire drumming which ranks up there with Mike Mangini, Richard Christy or Dave Lombardo.
The big curve-ball is Reason to Believe an actually clean-vocal tune which, I am pleased to say, makes full use of Alyssa’s amazing vocal range. Lest you become too alienated by this or a death-metal purist, fear not – the chorus features low death growls, and I am always amazed by her ability switch between the two effortlessly without signs of vocal fatigue or any hoarseness.
Arch Enemy do instrumentals very well and this is the case with the touchingly melancholic Saturnine. Strongly recommended offering for new and old fans alike.
If you are familiar with Arch Enemy, there will be no surprises on this album – the melodic hooks are even more prominent, the performance – proficient, technical and lightning-fast. This is also Arch Enemy’s first album with guitar virtuoso Jeff Loomis, formerly of Nevermore.
The album, whose title borrows from Nietzsche explores the darker side and excesses of human power and puts them against the value of individuality, of struggling to reach and achieve your dreams. The first song in this vein that I heard was The World is Yours which has an insanely catchy hook over which Alyssa sings, ‘if you want the world/use your mind/take control’. The tune is powerful, uplifting and does not slow down for just under 5 minutes featuring an old-school melodic break, with a whispered (to a great effect, I might add) vocal part. This works superbly well live, too.
The Eagle Flies Alone is a celebration of Alyssa’s ethical beliefs and vegan lifestyle, set over a heavy, brutally-so, riff and – perhaps no need to even mention this as this is a staple for any Arch Enemy song – rapid-fire drumming which ranks up there with Mike Mangini, Richard Christy or Dave Lombardo.
The big curve-ball is Reason to Believe an actually clean-vocal tune which, I am pleased to say, makes full use of Alyssa’s amazing vocal range. Lest you become too alienated by this or a death-metal purist, fear not – the chorus features low death growls, and I am always amazed by her ability switch between the two effortlessly without signs of vocal fatigue or any hoarseness.
Arch Enemy do instrumentals very well and this is the case with the touchingly melancholic Saturnine. Strongly recommended offering for new and old fans alike.