| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Set Flame To The Night The Race Blood In The Water The World Is Yours The Eagle Flies Alone Reason To Believe Murder Scene First Day In Hell Saturnine Dreams Of Retribution My Shadow & I A Fight I Must Win Release Date: September 8, 2017 Label: Century Media Records Website: www.archenemy.net www.facebook.com/archenemyofficial |  |
ARCH ENEMY IS:
Alissa White-Gluz - Vocals Michael Amott - Guitars Jeff Loomis - Guitars Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass Daniel Erlandsson - Drums
Alissa White-Gluz - Vocals Michael Amott - Guitars Jeff Loomis - Guitars Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass Daniel Erlandsson - Drums
Changing singers is always a risky move. Three years ago, Arch Enemy found themselves in that position when Angela Gossow stepped down as the frontwoman to become the band's business manager and was replaced by Alissa White-Gluz. While there's still a portion of the fan base that can't accept the change, a large majority of the fans worldwide have welcomed Alissa with open arms and most even prefer her over Angela. I personally prefer Alissa a little over Angela as well, simply because I think her vocals are darker and she has more power, with all respect to Angela because she was a beast as well. War Eternal has done significantly well across the globe, so we were all excited for Arch Enemy album #2 with Alissa, and here we are, three years later, and with album #10 overall: Will To Power.
Instrumental opener "Set Flame To The Night" almost feels like it could be an opening theme for a video game with the guitar melody provided by Michael Amott and new ax-slinger, the great Jeff Loomis. It doesn't last for too long though, because "The Race" then comes right around the corner, slamming you in the face hard with a fast-paced thrash assault, combined with machine-gun riffs and Alissa's menacing growl. The epic guitar melodies and harmonies between Amott and Loomis are instantly memorable, and they give you the urge to add your voice to the melodies, especially on "The World Is Yours" and "The Eagle Flies Alone". The latter, along with "Blood In The Water", lets you know that the band aren't afraid to provide a few straightforward, mid-tempo, crushing headbangers.
Known for her blend of clean vocals and growls while in The Agonist, people were wondering if Alissa would ever bring her melodic vocal prowess into Arch Enemy, let alone be allowed. Turns out that she did, and they are heard on the slower, almost power-ballad-esque track "Reason To Believe". Even though this might cause some fans to scratch their heads, it's a breath of fresh air because we were all wondering if this would ever happen, given the incredible melodic voice she possesses. Clean vocals can be heard in other spots on the record, but they're mostly in the background. If you're put off by the idea of clean vocals in Arch Enemy, fear not because the entire song is not just cleans, as she brings the growls back in the soaring chorus.
Will To Power also marks the first time in a decade since Rise Of The Tyrant that we get not one, but two songs that reach over the 6-minute mark. Those are "Dreams Of Retribution" and the epic closer "A Fight I Must Win". The former is one of the more dynamic tracks on the record, with many changes going on throughout, mainly in tempo and style. There's a number of epic choruses to be found on the record, but "A Fight I Must Win" contains the most epic chorus of all of them, giving you a feeling like you're standing on top of the world, and that has to do with the potent combination guitars and orchestra. It's also another chorus that you just can't help but sing the melody. The last riff punches you in the gut right before letting the orchestra close out the last minute of this epic closer.
After listening to Will To Power, I can officially say that this is my favourite of the two Alissa-era Arch Enemy records. It feels more dynamic and more epic than War Eternal. This is the best the band has ever sounded performance-wise and this is some of their best songwriting. If you loved War Eternal, you'll love Will To Power even more. Trust me!
Highs: "The Race", "The World Is Yours", "Reason To Believe" and "A Fight I Must Win"
Lows: The clean vocals will be a hit or miss for some.
Final Rating: 9/10
Instrumental opener "Set Flame To The Night" almost feels like it could be an opening theme for a video game with the guitar melody provided by Michael Amott and new ax-slinger, the great Jeff Loomis. It doesn't last for too long though, because "The Race" then comes right around the corner, slamming you in the face hard with a fast-paced thrash assault, combined with machine-gun riffs and Alissa's menacing growl. The epic guitar melodies and harmonies between Amott and Loomis are instantly memorable, and they give you the urge to add your voice to the melodies, especially on "The World Is Yours" and "The Eagle Flies Alone". The latter, along with "Blood In The Water", lets you know that the band aren't afraid to provide a few straightforward, mid-tempo, crushing headbangers.
Known for her blend of clean vocals and growls while in The Agonist, people were wondering if Alissa would ever bring her melodic vocal prowess into Arch Enemy, let alone be allowed. Turns out that she did, and they are heard on the slower, almost power-ballad-esque track "Reason To Believe". Even though this might cause some fans to scratch their heads, it's a breath of fresh air because we were all wondering if this would ever happen, given the incredible melodic voice she possesses. Clean vocals can be heard in other spots on the record, but they're mostly in the background. If you're put off by the idea of clean vocals in Arch Enemy, fear not because the entire song is not just cleans, as she brings the growls back in the soaring chorus.
Will To Power also marks the first time in a decade since Rise Of The Tyrant that we get not one, but two songs that reach over the 6-minute mark. Those are "Dreams Of Retribution" and the epic closer "A Fight I Must Win". The former is one of the more dynamic tracks on the record, with many changes going on throughout, mainly in tempo and style. There's a number of epic choruses to be found on the record, but "A Fight I Must Win" contains the most epic chorus of all of them, giving you a feeling like you're standing on top of the world, and that has to do with the potent combination guitars and orchestra. It's also another chorus that you just can't help but sing the melody. The last riff punches you in the gut right before letting the orchestra close out the last minute of this epic closer.
After listening to Will To Power, I can officially say that this is my favourite of the two Alissa-era Arch Enemy records. It feels more dynamic and more epic than War Eternal. This is the best the band has ever sounded performance-wise and this is some of their best songwriting. If you loved War Eternal, you'll love Will To Power even more. Trust me!
Highs: "The Race", "The World Is Yours", "Reason To Believe" and "A Fight I Must Win"
Lows: The clean vocals will be a hit or miss for some.
Final Rating: 9/10
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