Arch Enemy: A Decade of War Eternal and the Phoenix Rising
In 2014, the future of melodic death metal giants Arch Enemy seemed shrouded in uncertainty. Frontwoman Angela Gossow’s departure left a gaping hole, leaving fans and the band itself wondering what lay ahead.
A decade later, the band’s journey stands as a testament to resilience and reinvention. Guitarist Michael Amott and drummer Daniel Erlandsson recently reflected on that tumultuous time, admitting that the band had almost called it quits.
“The band had kind of fallen apart a little bit,” Erlandsson confessed. The news of Gossow transitioning to the band’s manager led to a critical meeting where Amott posed the difficult question: "Are we going to continue? What are we going to do?"
But through their darkest hour, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of powerful new material. The songs that would become Arch Enemy’s tenth studio album, War Eternal, galvanized their resolve.
“We already had some sort of demos, and we took that with us into War Eternal. We worked really hard on that record,” Amott recalled. “We knew it was going to be scrutinized and analyzed. It was kind of a do-or-die moment for us, I guess.”
Announcing Alissa White-Gluz as their new vocalist, after her departure from The Agonist, marked a pivotal turning point. War Eternal became a monumental release, not only for redeeming the band’s future but redefining their sound and solidifying their place at the forefront of the genre.
For Amott, the shift felt daunting. He drew comparisons to icons like Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath, noting how long it took fans to embrace lineup changes in those bands. " I didn’t really have high hopes, but I didn’t realize there had been like a switch in society, where we are more accustomed to news, and yesterday’s news is more like last year’s news, people get used to new things much quicker,” he admitted.
White-Gluz’s seamless integration, coupled with the undeniable strength of the music, proved to be a winning formula. “She (Alissa) was great, the songs were great, everything was perfect in that record, I think. We did the work, we went out and played around 300 shows for that album,” Amott added.
War Eternal‘s success even led other musicians to ask Amott how Arch Enemy had managed the transition so effectively. “I was like, ‘I don’t know,’” he laughed. “It was the right moment and the right album.”
White-Gluz herself shared her perspective in a later interview. “It was all relatively simple, which sounds strange,” she said.
A friend of Gossow, she recalled receiving an unexpected email from Angela: “I’d met Michael and the rest of the guys a bunch of times, although I didn’t really keep in touch with them. I was on tour with Kamelot at that point, and we were in South Korea when I got an email from Angela that said, ‘Can you jump on the phone with Michael real quick?’”
Now, with three successful albums featuring White-Gluz under their belt, Arch Enemy stands ready for chapter four – Blood Dynasty, set to release on March 28th via Century Media.
The band’s journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance, evolution, and embracing change. Arch Enemy has not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger, continuing to burn bright within the metal landscape.
Does the departure of Angela Gossow and subsequent recruitment of Alissa White-Gluz mark a definitive shift in Arch Enemy’s musical style?
## Arch Enemy: Rising From the Ashes
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving deep into the remarkable story of melodic death metal titans, Arch Enemy. A decade ago, the band faced a turning point when vocalist Angela Gossow stepped down. It was a moment of uncertainty, but as we know now, Arch Enemy not only survived, they thrived. Joining us today is Alex Reed, a metal journalist and long-time Arch Enemy fan. Thanks for being here, Alex Reed.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me! It’s a pleasure to talk about one of my favorite bands.
**Host:** So, let’s set the scene. 2014, Angela Gossow departs. What was the mood like around Arch Enemy at that time?
**Alex Reed:** It was definitely a tense time. Gossow was such a powerful presence and integral to the band’s sound. As members like Daniel Erlandsson have spoken about, there was real doubt about whether the band would continue. [[1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5etfIwlRbg)]. They were at a crossroads.
**Host:** But then a spark emerged, literally, with the music for *War Eternal*.
**Alex Reed:** Yes! It seems those demos were a lifeline.
Guitarist Michael Amott has talked about how those songs gave them a renewed sense of purpose. [[1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5etfIwlRbg)].
There was a feeling that they had something special to prove, something powerful to share.
**Host:** And then came Alissa White-Gluz, stepping into some very large shoes. How did fans react to that change?
**Alex Reed:** Honestly, there were mixed feelings initially. Gossow was iconic, so it was a big adjustment. But Alissa brought her own fierce energy and vocal power to the band. *War Eternal* became a massive success, winning over many doubters. It showed Arch Enemy’s resilience and willingness to evolve.
**Host:** Looking back ten years, how has *War Eternal* aged?
**Alex Reed:** I think it’s aged incredibly well.
It’s a landmark album, not just for Arch Enemy but for the genre as a whole.
It’s a testament to the band’s ability to reinvent themselves while staying true to their core sound.
**Host:** Absolutely. What does the future hold for Arch Enemy?
**Alex Reed:** Knowing Arch Enemy, they’ll keep pushing boundaries and challenging themselves. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
**Host:** Well said! We’ll have to leave it there. Thanks for sharing your insights, Alex Reed. It’s been a pleasure.
