Arch Enemy -Rise of the Tyrant

Pitiless Wanderer

Active Member
Jun 14, 2002
7,782
209
63
Salt Lake City, UT
Stupid name for an album.



Musically this is definitely -MUCH- better than the previous two albums. The melodies are fresh, the guitar work is precise and the production is amongst the best they've had. The best part is that the songs, for the majority, are fast and brutal.

And maybe its just my take on it, but the album really has a dark feel to it - like it would be rated R.....possibly because the melodies aren't really that traditional or friendly...they're pretty twisted actually. Everything just sounds a bit more raw but surprisingly fresh at the same time. Solos are plentiful as well....


I think longtime fans will be very pleased, especially if, like me, you were disappointed with the past two.
 
i agree. I don't see anything wrong with any of the albums, they're progressing with each new release. Rise of the Tyrant sounds great so far.
 
I briefly skimmed through the album and it sounds like it's an album that may grow on me. The vocals are certainly a bit different than usual, less double tracking and her voice is slightly worn-sounding or maybe just raw. I think I may like the album with a few more listens.

This band has a lot of potential and I believe they don't really live up to it. I never really got into their earlier material, but Wages is my favourite, and I thought that Doomsday Machine was a step up from Anthems.
 
Arch Enemy has been one of my favorite bands for years. I'm pretty excited about this release. Doomsday Machine was my favorite, though not above the legendary Wages of Sin. They have had a problem, since WoS, with a lot of songs sounding quite alike though. Awesome, recycled riffs... but recycled.

I don't know whether to check this out right away or not. Can't say why.

EDIT: 200!
 
i wasn't as much of a fan of anthems and doomsday and wasn't expecting much but i've listened to this a few times and i really like it. like already said, its really heavy and fast but also feels really dark. i might go to their next tour because the new songs won't make the set bad.
 
One of their best CD covers by far though:

cover2007.jpg


I have to take the fucking greyhound bus to see their tour this fall. :\
 
do they still have a female singer? Yes? Another terrible album.
:)

Whenever someone mentions this band I think of "The Immortal", "Pilgrim" and "Demonic Science". I absolutely love those songs and the 80's feel of that album, so why is nothing else they've done worthwhile? Baffling.

Still, i'll check this one out.
 
no, there was a shart decline after wages of sin.

More like DURING Wages of Sin. I don't normally associate a band's drop in quality with the departure or addition of members, but Angela replacing Johan seemed to coincide with their transformation from an above-average, fresh-sounding melodic death metal band into a third-tier Gothenburg knock-off. Probably a little harsh to blame it on that exclusively, as they aren't the primary songwriters. But it's always bugged me.
 
I'm listening to it right now. I agree it sounds alot better than the previous albums. The ideas are fresh and the songs are a good mix of ferocious songs and slower melodic pieces. But I keep on hearing this beeping noise through out the album, is that really part of the music or is it just something wrong on my end?