|
Arch Enemy Information
|
|
'Arch Enemy' is a Swedish melodic death metal band, formed in 1995.
Biography
Arch Enemy was originally assembled when the band Carcass ended, and guitarist Michael Amott (ex-Carcass and Carnage) and vocalist and bassist Johan Liiva (ex-Carnage) joined guitarist Christopher Amott and drummer Daniel Erlandsson in order to play together once more.
The band's debut was entitled Black Earth and was released by Wrong Again Records in 1996. It obtained a fair amount of success in Japan and Sweden. Many consider it to be the band's most aggressive album, a trait which was softened to some degree on their following releases, but which was never abandoned.
After the release of Black Earth the band switched labels, signing a contract with Century Media. In 1998 Arch Enemy released Stigmata, for which bassist Martin Bengtsson joined the band so that Liiva could concentrate fully on the vocals. This album obtained the attention of a wider audience, reaching popularity both in Europe and America.
In 1999, Sharlee D'Angelo assumed the role of Arch Enemy's bassist. Burning Bridges was released, and was soon followed by the live album Burning Japan Live 1999, which was initially a release limited to Japan, but later given worldwide distribution due to demands from fans.
Johan Liiva quit the band in 2001 and was soon replaced by amateur journalist and death metal vocalist Angela Gossow, who had given a demo tape to Michael Amott earlier that year during an interview she had conducted with him. Despite rumours of Gossow being chosen to join the band solely due to her supposed romantic involvement with Michael Amott, she proved to be a competent singer and was received warmly by most fans.
The first album with songs sung by Gossow was Wages of Sin, released in late 2001. On December of the same year, Arch Enemy took part in the "Japan's Beast Feast 2002" concert, playing alongside Slayer and Motörhead.
Anthems of Rebellion was released in 2003 and brought some innovations, such as the use of a second voice singing in harmony in the song "End of the Line". In November of the following year, the band released the EP Dead Eyes See No Future, which featured live recordings, along with covers of Manowar, Megadeth and Carcass songs. In June of 2005, the band finished the recording of their sixth album ” Doomsday Machine. In July of 2005, guitarist Christopher Amott left the band in order to focus on his personal life. He was replaced by guitarist Gus G. (ex-Dream Evil, Firewind) temporarily and then by Fredrik é…kesson on a more permanent basis.
Line-up
*Angela Gossow - Vocals (2001-)
*Michael Amott - Guitar (1996-)
*Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass (1999-)
*Daniel Erlandsson - Drums (1996-)
*Fredrik é…kesson - Guitar (2005-)
Former members
*Johan Liiva - Vocals (1996-2001), bass (1996)
*Martin Bengtsson - Bass (1997-1998)
*Peter Wildoer - Drums (1997)
*Christopher Amott - Guitar (1996-2005)
*Gus G. - Touring guitarist (2005)
Discography
* Black Earth (1996)
* Stigmata (1998)
* Burning Bridges (1999)
* Burning Japan Live 1999 (Live, 2000)
* Wages of Sin (2001)
* Anthems of Rebellion (2003)
* Dead Eyes See No Future (EP, 2004)
* Doomsday Machine (2005)
|
|
