Arch Enemy

Burning Bridges (Century Media)
by Tim Den

Instead of blabbering on about how breath-taking Arch Enemy is, I’m just going to break it down into several reasons. Keep in mind that this is only a short list (and that reasons for liking this band are more than words can express, much less be confined to a numbering system).

1) Burning Bridges has the most important attribute any metal band can ask for: it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Enough said.

2) It combines the magical melodies of classic Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Dream Theater (to name a few) into its deathmetal riff banks, producing a style that is the best of both worlds. Extremely heavy and aggressive, yet beautifully musical.

3) The team of guitarists/brothers Michael and Chris Amott cannot and will not fail. See Carnage, Carcass, Spiritual Beggars, and Armageddon for further evidence.

4) Oh, did I forget to mention that Michael Amott was involved with Carcass’ best works (Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious and Heartwork)?

5) Vocalist Johan Liiva has come a long way since his Carnage vocal duties… or even his debut with Arch Enemy (1996’s Black Earth). He is now an articulate, forceful, flexible frontman. The guy has developed a variety of ways to pierce your face with his voice (shrieks, belts, grunts, rumbles, etc.).

6) New bassist Sharlee D’Angelo (Mercyful Fate, Witchery, x-Dismember) makes the new Arch Enemy full-bodied. He works his instrument the same way McCartney did his… now which band did that guy play for again?

7) This batch of songs is simply irresistible. Catchy like the classic power metal bands that you love, anthemic in its energy… just fucking great song writing. Heavier than the heaviest thing you’d find in metalcore, more powerful than any “power metal revival” band you’d come across in Germany. It possesses undeniable charisma. Besides, when was the last time you heard a deathmetal band use a mellotron in a dirge of a tune (title track)?

8) Oh, and the jazz/prog guitar nerds are going to jizz all over this thing.

Burning Bridges is the shit. I’d even go so far as to say it’s my favorite metal record of the year. Arch Enemy has again outdone themselves and maintained their reputation (if not raised it up another notch). You are a sorry bastard if you don’t own or like this.
(1453-A 14th St. #324 Santa Monica, CA 90404)