Review by Monty Sewell for MPM
The current incarnation of Swedens melodic death metal archetype heroes has never felt so strong. Arch Enemy, in their 27th year of total scene domination release their latest album ‘Deceivers’ with as much gusto and fully loaded fearsome force as the rest.
With their last studio album (Will to Power) released back in 2017, it’s been a long awaiting road for fans who’ve been tentatively anticipating what tooth and claw offering they would bring out next.
The answer in question comes in the form of ‘Decievers’, an eleven track rip roaring jam packed jagannath which sees the quintet return in mighty condition.
The lineup remains as it was with Alissa White-Gluz on vocals, Jeff Loomis on guitar, Michael Amott on guitar, Sharlee D’Angelo on bass and Daniel Erlandsson on drums. Released on Century Media at the height of post virus regulation emancipation, Arch Enemy look to add to what continues to be the summer of metal-mania.
As usual, Amott and Erlandsson take to their usual duel front seat driver positions on the matter of composing which in itself sets the game off right in the upper hand.
An admirably commendable pair, they made the international lineup (White-Gluz and Loomis residing in North America across from the band homeland Sweden) work around their geographical impediments and were able to write and track what they are already hailing to be one of their most prestigious pieces of work.
‘Handshake With Hell’ is a formidable in your face opener that both thrashes and contends Arch Enemy’s iconic sound. They follow up with the first single from the album, ‘Deceiver, Deceiver’ dropped last October. An ode to the vocal pains of a scorned soul, when released it caused an uproar of intense buzz for the LP to follow.
That sweet spot, razor claw guitar chug moment comes with ‘In The Eye Of The Storm’ before ‘The Watcher’ beckons us into mesmerisation of Erlandsson’s double kick drum eminence. A particularly delectable moment is presented with a real 80s melodic toned solo lining a head shaking, half time beat switch up that sends a scrape down your spine.
‘Poisoned Arrow’ opens with orchestral qualities to ease us into the half time the only way death metal knows how. Though rested in the avoirdupois that defines them, what Arch Enemy apart from the other behemoths of the industry is their ability to shift gears with no less poignancy than the rest of the album.
‘Sunset Over The Empire’ and ‘House Of Mirrors’ continue to showcase White-Gulz’s ever unflappable versatility. Her range and the ease at which she switches from ear piercing screams back into euphonic clean tones is an act in itself.
We take a sharp turn with major progressions to slaughter for with ‘Spreading Black Wings’. Lathered with evil tenors it’s a personal favourite with soundtrack qualities.
‘Mourning Star’ comes as an unexpected three-quarter-way instrumental before launching into ‘One Last Time’ with a stimulating upheaval. The production is absolutely huge with enough raw sound to balance out those mixed in effects that cavort around the arrangement.
‘Exiled From Earth’ rounds things off with a shackle wrenching debonair to satisfy the fans even amongst the most dubious of die-hards.
Deceiver is well worth your time and well and truly well worth the wait. Their sound continues to reign in the same manner as it has done, though this time there is a certain darker edge which catapults it to the top realms of death metal respectabilities. Arch Enemy raid your ears with each number whilst keeping you guessing at every count.
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