Band:	Arch Enemy
Album:	Rise Of The Tyrant
Style:	Gothenburg metal
Release date:	September 2007

Disc I [CD]
01. Blood On Your Hands
02. The Last Enemy
03. I Will Live Again
04. In This Shallow Grave
05. Revolution Begins
06. Rise Of The Tyrant
07. The Day You Died
08. Intermezzo Liberté
09. Night Falls Fast
10. The Great Darkness
11. Vultures
12. The Oath [Kiss cover] [Japanese bonus]

Disc II [Live In South Ameica DVD]
01. I Am Legend / Out for Blood
02. Diva Satanica
+ Tour Movie

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". With this motto leading Sweden's Arch Enemy vision, Rise of the Tyrant should sound like any of their previous albums, right? Wrong! They took all of their experience and added some to brought forth an incredible effort. But let's rewind a tad. Arch Enemy is the brainchild of talented guitarist Michael Amott, who after leaving the band Carcass, deviled in different projects before forming the band. However, the band really got in the public eye when a German female vocalist by the name of Angela Gossow joined to record Wages of Sin on 2000. Since then, Arch Enemy has become one of the beloved children of the Gothenburg Death Metal sound.

With the return of Christopher Amott on guitars, Arch Enemy has regained its lustrous guitar work due the mind-blowing harmony with his brother Michael. The band has upped the guitar work another notch to create amazing melodies with sharp edges. Just listen to the opening tack, 'Blood on your Hands', and see for yourself! And with the confirmation of Angela Gossow on vocals and a stable line-up, Arch Enemy is as healthy as you've ever been.

Another difference from their recent works is clearly the musicianship of Christopher and his vision to crack guitar solos all over the place. One can tell that the brothers are having a really good time on this record. As for the vocals, Angela's death voice sound more natural than on their previous work Doomsday Machine (less effects/production I guess). It all seems more natural, more fluid than on their previous album. The aggression is definitely still there, but somehow, the melodies of their Gothenburg sound are taking the better part of the sound. Arch Enemy is not afraid to slow down the pace at times, such as on 'Revolution Begins', only to create hypnotic atmospheres. The only hitch I can pick up is that a couple of tracks are not to the full potential of the album, but again, there is plenty to rejoice about. 'The Last Enemy' for example, is one of their most enthused tunes since the Wages of Sin era.

My verdict? Arch Enemy is risen. The Amott brothers are having the time of their life and the song-writing is more inspired than usual. Overall, what promised to be more of the same, ends up being a highlight in the career of the Swedish band. Arch Enemy proves again that inspired Melodic Death is alive and well by releasing one of this year's best albums.


Highlights: 'Blood on your Hands', The Last Enemy', 'Revolution Begins' and 'The Day You Died'