Arch Enemy - War Eternal (2014)

Arch Enemy is always back. In a blizzard turns of event, the legendary Angela Gossow has retired herself as the front woman. The microphone then handed to Alissa White-Gluz, not a total stranger because Alissa was closely related to Arch Enemy in their late timeline. This is not the only key issue for Arch Enemy. As we know, Christopher Ammot had also abandoned their black flag and did not march on any more. The replacement is much more interesting, Nick Cordle from ex Arsis is filling this duty. With these formations, plus Angela Gossow's moral support from behind, Arch Enemy turns a new page, "War Eternal". This album is full of hope and expectation to said at least.

Time heals nothing, said the intro title, or "Tempore Nihil Sanat". So "Never Forgive, Never Forget" kicks in immediately. First the twin guitar attacks is preserved perfectly. The riffs and drumming sounds like their angriest day. Then Alissa's spotlight has come. What to say, she is a different beast. Her voice is somewhat more feminine to ear. If the question: can she carry the duty, then the answer is yes she does well. Welcome to the new era.  "War Eternal" is back to the melodic death metal Arch Enemy belong in their earlier days. "As The Pages Burn" is the album's teaser. The groove and riffs on this song is belong to mainstream death metal and metalcore dictionary. Best performed in all aspect as well. So, then three songs passed with above expectations scale. "No More Regrets" is the message to all Christopher lovers, that the new Nick is giving us no regrets for his departure. Neo-classical licks on this one. You can listen the important three guitar layers from the beginning. As for Alissa, her turn is in the next song, "You Will Know My Name" exactly the catch phrases for her. This time she conquered the lower notes, this song started with well composition to begin with. The rest of the album is a little bit of filler, "Avalanche" is their takes on symphonic death metal style. "Not Long For This World" stop the album in slow and doom postlude.

"War Eternal" done its job well to showcase two new members on the band. Both Nick and Alissa performed superb in this album. This album raise new hope for the band's core fans, as we know Arch Enemy last two albums seems just missed the focus and sound tired. War Eternal is back to their ultra melodic approach, and they just sounds epic. Goodbye Angela, her name shall remained in the history book of death metal forever. Welcome, Alissa.

Favorite songs: As The Pages Burn, You Will Know My Name, War Eternal

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

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Arch Enemy - War Eternal (2014) 

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

    Alissa White-Gluz − vocals
    Michael Amott − lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards
    Nick Cordle − lead and rhythm guitar
    Sharlee D'Angelo − bass
    Daniel Erlandsson − drums