Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Arch Enemy
Label: Century Media
Release: 2007
The last record from Sweden’s melodic death metal champions, Doomsday Machine (2005), was their most ambitious effort up to then and also their most successful album, the one that catapulted them into the ranks of metal’s big names. It split the fans in two – those who missed the “old-school” Arch Enemy sound and those who loved the excellent production of the genius Andy Sneap – but nobody can accuse the album of lacking quality. Soon after its release, guitarist Chris Amott left the band. He was replaced by the excellent Fredrik Åkesson (now with Opeth), but a lot of people missed the incredible energy of the Amott brothers. Then, a few months ago, the bomb dropped – Chris is back in the band! On top of that, for their new record Arch Enemy brought in the producer of their first four albums, Fredrik Nordström. Expectations were sky-high.
And after a few spins, Rise of the Tyrant lives up to every bit of them! This is one of the best records in the Arch Enemy discography! Sure, don’t expect a return to the old sound of the lineup from the days of vocalist Johan Liiva, but Fredrik managed to squeeze the best out of the lady and the lads. The trademark sound just spews out of the album, and the quality of the material and the playing is even better. Instrumentally, Arch Enemy sound a step higher with every release. Rise of the Tyrant pushes one of the best guitar duos around right now to the front, the Amott brothers (Bonded by Blood, heh heh…). The chemistry between the brothers is fantastic, and the album is jam-packed with killer leads, harmonized passages, shred perfection, melodic riffs and dueling solos that make your ears bleed. Some accused Doomsday Machine of unoriginal riffs. No need to fear that Rise of the Tyrant repeats the mistake – the guitar parts here are some of the best the brothers have ever pulled out of themselves. The rhythm section shines in full light too, especially Daniel Erlandsson, with animalistic drumming full of insane fills, blast beats and ultra-fast double-bass kicking. You could maybe knock Nordström a bit for giving the space mostly to the guitars and slightly neglecting the rhythm section, and it’s a real shame that the bass of the excellent Sharlee D’Angelo is almost completely inaudible, but tastes differ, and some will dig it while others won’t. The central figure of the band is the charismatic vocalist Angela Gossow. After Liiva left, many accused Arch Enemy of having a female vocalist just to grab attention, but with every new release Angela proves she keeps getting better and can easily go toe to toe with the male growlers. It’s great to hear that on Rise of the Tyrant her vocals are extremely natural and organic, and so, unlike on Doomsday Machine with its effects and “layers”, they really come into their own. The ferocious vocals are mighty and brutal, yet Angela also interprets the lyrics with real emotion. The brightest spot of Rise of the Tyrant is the incredible balance of brutality and melody, which hasn’t sounded this good since the debut Black Earth (1996) or its follow-up Stigmata (1998). When an air raid siren announces the 50-minute siege in the intro of Blood On Your Hands, there’s no time to look for cover! Rise of the Tyrant bombards you mercilessly with wreckers lined up one after another, be it The Last Enemy, I Will Live Again or the excellent instrumental with exquisite neoclassical passages from the unstoppable Amott brothers. There’s only one weak moment – in The Great Darkness they cram in choir vocals that sound forced, unnecessary and totally out of place.
Rise of the Tyrant is definitely one of the best metal releases of this year. With raw energy, mind-blowing intensity, gleaming guitars and a roaring Angela, it shoots a horse dose of adrenaline straight into your aorta. Bow down! The tyrant rises!
Lineup
Angela Gossow – vocals
Michael Amott – guitar
Christopher Amott – guitar
Sharlee D’Angelo – bass
Daniel Erlandsson – drums
Production
Fredrik Nordström
Tracklist
1. Blood on Your Hands 04:41
2. The Last Enemy 04:15
3. I Will Live Again 03:32
4. In This Shallow Grave 04:54
5. Revolution Begins 04:11
6. Rise of the Tyrant 04:33
7. The Day You Died 04:52
8. Intermezzo Liberte 02:51
9. Night Falls Fast 03:18
10. The Great Darkness 04:46
11. Vultures 06:35
