The Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy was already a powerhouse in the genre by the time 2014 rolled around, but War Eternal marked a new era for the band with Alissa White-Gluz as the lead vocalist. Former singer Angela Gossow, who had fronted the band for over a decade, stepped down to focus on management and personally selected White-Gluz—formerly of The Agonist—as her successor. With big shoes to fill, White-Gluz made an immediate impact with her ferocious growls and soaring screams that brought fresh intensity to their signature sound. The fact that Arch Enemy boasted back-to-back female lead vocalists in a historically male dominated genre is pretty f***ing sick tbh.
Musically, War Eternal stayed true to Arch Enemy’s blend of blistering guitar work, intricate melodies, and thunderous drumming. Michael Amott’s razor-sharp riffs drive the album, and tracks like the title song and “As the Pages Burn” showcase the band’s ability to balance aggression with melody. It reminds me a ton of In Flames 1999 album Colony in all of the best head-banging ways.
Standout Songs: “Never Forgive, Never Forget”, “As The Pages Burn”, “War Eternal”
