Arch Enemy

Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Halmstad, active since 1996. It forms in 1995 around guitarist Michael Amott and vocalist Johan Liiva, both formerly of Carnage, and begins as a project involving musicians from several established metal acts. Its line-up includes musicians associated with Carcass, Armageddon, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, The Agonist, Nevermore, Eucharist and Once Human.

History

The band’s debut album, Black Earth, is recorded at Studio Fredman and released by Wrong Again Records. After that release, Arch Enemy signs with Century Media and issues Stigmata in 1998, followed by Burning Bridges in 1999. Around this period, Sharlee D’Angelo joins on bass and Daniel Erlandsson becomes the drummer. During touring for Burning Bridges, other musicians temporarily fill the bass position.

In 2000, Johan Liiva leaves and Angela Gossow takes over on vocals. The first album with Gossow, Wages of Sin, appears in 2001. The band tours internationally and performs at events including Japan’s Beast Feast 2002 concert. Anthems of Rebellion follows in 2003 and includes additional vocal arrangements. In 2004, Arch Enemy releases the EP Dead Eyes See No Future, which includes live recordings and cover versions. Doomsday Machine follows in 2005.

Christopher Amott temporarily leaves during this period and is replaced by other guitarists before returning in 2007. That year the band releases Rise of the Tyrant, which enters the Billboard 200 and becomes its highest-charting release at the time. Arch Enemy continues to tour and records the live release Tyrants of the Rising Sun in 2008. In 2009 it issues the compilation The Root of All Evil, which features re-recorded material from the early albums. Khaos Legions follows in 2011, preceded by the single “Yesterday Is Dead and Gone”.

In 2012, Christopher Amott leaves again and Nick Cordle replaces him. In 2014, Angela Gossow steps down as vocalist and is replaced by Canadian singer Alissa White-Gluz, formerly of The Agonist; Gossow remains involved as the band’s manager. The album War Eternal is released later that year. Nick Cordle later leaves and Jeff Loomis joins on guitar. In 2016, several current and former members form the side project Black Earth, performing material from the band’s first three albums.

Arch Enemy releases Will to Power in 2017, preceded by “The World Is Yours”, and Covered in Blood in 2019. In 2022, it issues Deceivers, following singles including “Deceiver, Deceiver”, “House of Mirrors” and “Handshake with Hell”. The band continues to tour in support of the album. In 2023, Jeff Loomis departs and Joey Concepcion replaces him. In 2024, Arch Enemy releases “Dream Stealer” and announces Blood Dynasty, which appears in 2025.

In November 2025, Alissa White-Gluz leaves the band. In February 2026, Arch Enemy introduces American vocalist Lauren Hart with the single “To the Last Breath”. The Area 53 festival in Leoben, Austria, marks the band’s first European live performance with Hart.

Line-up and releases

Arch Enemy’s members across its history include Michael Amott, Johan Liiva, Christopher Amott, Daniel Erlandsson, Sharlee D’Angelo, Angela Gossow, Fredrik Åkesson, Nick Cordle, Alissa White-Gluz, Jeff Loomis, Joey Concepcion, Peter Wildoer, Martin Bengtsson and Lauren Hart.

Its studio albums are Black Earth (1996), Stigmata (1998), Burning Bridges (1999), Wages of Sin (2001), Anthems of Rebellion (2003), Doomsday Machine (2005), Rise of the Tyrant (2007), Khaos Legions (2011), War Eternal (2014), Will to Power (2017), Deceivers (2022) and Blood Dynasty (2025).