“Dear ARCH ENEMY fans, this is not easy to tell you…I have decided to step down from being ARCH ENEMY’s voice of anger. After 13 years of pure fucking metal, 6 studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests. I will however remain business manager for ARCH ENEMY, and I will continue to develop my artist management roster.
I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I’ve known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine – and now she’s getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001.
I want to thank all ARCH ENEMY fans, our labels Century Media (worldwide) and Trooper Entertainment (Japan), our dedicated road crew, and in particular Michael, Daniel and Sharlee for their love and support throughout all these years. It’s been one hell of a ride! We conquered every situation, made it through thick & thin together in the most exciting and rewarding time of my life. Thank you all for being there with me on stage, in front of the stage, and backstage. You have touched my heart, and I hope I was able to give something back to you. I am grateful for the wonderful memories - I will cherish them forever!
I am looking forward to the next decade of ARCH ENEMY madness! Right now I am listening through rough mixes of the new studio album and I am blown away! 2014 will see a renewed ARCH ENEMY at the top of their game. I am proud to be part of this ARCH ENEMY chapter, albeit in a different way - revving up the engines behind the scenes. I hope to see you in front of the stage, I will join you there this time. Let the killing begin, once again!”
Whatever the reasoning was behind her leaving, she did it with tact, on good relations with other members and decided that staying as the band's manager was probably the best move. It would make an easier transition for the newest addition to the band. While announcing her departure, Arch Enemy was quick to find their replacement and jump right into the fold with new material.
I think they did this transition flawlessly as to not upset long time fans and potentially gaining new ones. Arch Enemy welcomed Canadian vocalist Alissa White-Gluz into the family. Alissa had this to say about her departure [from The Agonist] and arrival to the group:
"I am very honored and happy to announce a new chapter in my life and musical career beginning now; I have joined forces with one of my all-time favorite and globally respected bands, ARCH ENEMY. ‘Wages of Sin’ was the first metal album I ever bought, and it was love at first listen. It is not often that you get a phone call from your favorite band asking you to join! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such amazingly talented musicians whom I also consider great friends. I look forward to being able to write and perform at a whole new level now with ARCH ENEMY! Music is forever, metal is limitless and this is only the beginning!"
While many people were questioning whether they would enjoy the new sound and style of the band, Arch Enemy was quick to put all worries to rest as they released a brand new music video for the self titled track "War Eternal", which you can check out below:
I am reading through the comments here and most seem to be positive. Sure you will have those die hard trolling fans that claim Arch Enemy is not the same anymore. Mind you, I'm sure these are the same people who either had no previous research or said the same thing when AE saw the departure of Johan Liiva back in 2000. Band dynamics change, people change, and lives change. It's a part of life and fans need to accept that. Not saying that people are not entitled to their taste of music, but a threshold has to be somewhere for level of acceptance.
"This is a day to remember. It is such a great feeling to come back with new music and to unleash the first single and video off 'War Eternal'. Behold the first chapter of the new Arch Enemy saga... This is f**king war!" -Michael Amott
While not being a huge fan of Arch Enemy in general, I have seen them a few times live in concert and they always seem to produce top quality albums and themes for those albums. I am looking forward to seeing what the Canadian has to offer the group. If it's anything like I just saw above, then maybe my first Arch Enemy purchase might be coming up in June.
1. Tempore Nihil Sanat (Prelude in F minor)
2. Never Forgive, Never Forget
3. War Eternal
4. As The Pages Burn
5. No More Regrets
6. You Will Know My Name
7. Graveyard Of Dreams
8. Stolen Life
9. Time Is Black
10. On And On
11. Avalanche
12. Down To Nothing
13. Not Long For This World
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