Angela Gossow leaves Arch Enemy; replaced with Alissa from The Agonist

[Traxan]

http://loudwire.com/angela-gossow-leaves-arch-enemy-agonist-alissa-white-gluz-new-vocalist/

Extremely surprising news from the Arch Enemy camp. Highly celebrated, longtime vocalist Angela Gossow has left the band! Along with a statement announcing Gossow’s departure, Arch Enemy have also revealed the Agonist‘s Alissa White-Gluz as the group’s new frontwoman. A publicity photo of the band’s new lineup can be seen above.

Angela Gossow took over for original Arch Enemy vocalist Johan Liiva in 2000. Ever since, Gossow has been a pioneer for women in extreme metal while bringing Arch Enemy to a level of success the group had never experienced. With Gossow’s departure from Arch Enemy, new vocalist Alissa White-Gluz has parted ways with the Agonist to focus on Arch Enemy full-time.

White-Gluz will appear on Arch Enemy’s upcoming album, ‘War Eternal,’ which will arrive in June. The video for the disc’s title track will debut this Thursday, March 20.

Arch Enemy posted various statements on their Facebook page, including the initial news, a statement from Angela Gossow, a comment from Alissa White-Gluz and a final piece from Arch Enemy’s Michael Amott:

Angela Gossow comments:

Dear ARCH ENEMY fans, this is not easy to tell you…I have decided to step down from being ARCH ENEMY’s voice of anger. After 13 years of pure fucking metal, 6 studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests. I will however remain business manager for ARCH ENEMY, and I will continue to develop my artist management roster.

I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I’ve known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine – and now she’s getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001.

I want to thank all ARCH ENEMY fans, our labels Century Media (worldwide) and Trooper Entertainment (Japan), our dedicated road crew, and in particular Michael, Daniel and Sharlee for their love and support throughout all these years. It’s been one hell of a ride! We conquered every situation, made it through thick & thin together in the most exciting and rewarding time of my life. Thank you all for being there with me on stage, in front of the stage, and backstage. You have touched my heart, and I hope I was able to give something back to you. I am grateful for the wonderful memories – I will cherish them forever!

I am looking forward to the next decade of ARCH ENEMY madness! Right now I am listening through rough mixes of the new studio album and I am blown away! 2014 will see a renewed ARCH ENEMY at the top of their game. I am proud to be part of this ARCH ENEMY chapter, albeit in a different way – revving up the engines behind the scenes. I hope to see you in front of the stage; I will join you there this time. Let the killing begin, once again!”

Alissa White-Gluz comments:

“I am very honored and happy to announce a new chapter in my life and musical career beginning now; I have joined forces with one of my all-time favorite and globally respected bands, ARCH ENEMY. ‘Wages of Sin’ was the first metal album I ever bought, and it was love at first listen. It is not often that you get a phone call from your favorite band asking you to join! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such amazingly talented musicians whom I also consider great friends. I look forward to being able to write and perform at a whole new level now with ARCH ENEMY! Music is forever, metal is limitless and this is only the beginning!”
Chief Arch Enemy songwriter Michael Amott comments:

“We are eternally grateful to Angela for all her passion, hard work and talent. Her legacy is tremendous and will always be a big part of the band’s history. We feel great pride in what has been achieved in the past, but also look forward to new battles and new victories. We welcome Alissa with open arms – and we hope you will have open ears. We might have just created our most wicked metal opus yet with our upcoming album ‘War Eternal’!”

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

A shitty singer who relied heavily on effects and processing from a mediocre band, got replaced by another shitty singer from an even worse band. We're not teenagers anymore, there's no reason to listen to Arch Enemy.

 

[Shpongled]

If this story broke 10 years ago, I wouldn't have given a fuck then, either.

 

[Dead Winter]

I won't care until Johan's back.

 

[Traxan]

I certainly prefer Johan's vocals, but would they sack Sharlee to get him back? What's he doing these days anyway?

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

A shitty singer who relied heavily on effects and processing from a mediocre band, got replaced by another shitty singer from an even worse band. We're not teenagers anymore, there's no reason to listen to Arch Enemy.

This is one of the better posts you've made at UM.



Johan or nothing.

BURY ME AN ANGEL!

 

[Dreadful]

Their lackluster career of writing albums (in the past 9 years) has more to do with the music writers than Angela. If they wrote albums as good as Stigmata with Angela on vocals I'd totally support it. If they got Johan back it wouldn't change anything aside from a kick ass vocalist.

 

[MultiM]

I kinda disagree with you guys, maybe Angela isn't a great vocalist, but the music that Michael and Christopher Amott made is awesome. I think the Amott brothers made some unforgettable melodies. Even with a shitty vocalist, arch enemy's songs are songs are still listenable.

 

[Traxan]

Except Michael is also gone. He's doing a band with Van, IIRC. I can't keep them all straight.

 

[MultiM]

Except Michael is also gone. He's doing a band with Van, IIRC. I can't keep them all straight.

Actually, Christopher is the one who left.But we should give Nick a chance.

 

[Traxan]

Here you go, new video from the band with Alissa already. Make up your own minds.

 

[neal]

awful in every way

 

[~Lynn~]

very....mundane.

 

[MultiM]

To be honest, Nick Cordle is a good guitarist.
But Alissa is doing the same moves that Angela did, the video director is repeating yesterday is dead and gone video.

 

[rebirth]

never ever liked this ………band

i thinkto muchdope?? Maybe

 

[El Stormo]

I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I’ve known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine

A bit condescending, no?

 

[MultiM]

A bit condescending, no?

Maybe, but Arch enemy are way more famous than the agonist

 

[El Stormo]

Yeah, but, I dunno, to me it comes across like falsely magnanimous. "I decided to give someone less fortunate than me the chance to surf on my wave".

 

[~Lynn~]

I fucking hate that vocal style, so IMO they both suck.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

Yeah, but, I dunno, to me it comes across like falsely magnanimous. "I decided to give someone less fortunate than me the chance to surf on my wave".

Yup, agreed. Angela always kind of seemed like a metal diva. Some level of egocentricism is good in a front(wo)man, but not about fame. Fame ain't metal.

I am a little curious as to what Angela does next, if she abandons doing metal or music professionally, or if she tries (and fails) to do something on her own like Tarja Turunen did. Actually the two vocalists seem pretty similar in their attitudes.