A crucial influx of melody underscores the album, warm lapidary lines of melodic sustenance boring through each and every song. Contrasts are established through the intermixture of thrilling sonic blasts of metal and decelerating pullulations of glowing harmonies, joyous juxtapositions coursing at exactly the right pace. The height of this convergence comes with ‘The Day You Died’, its central motif a roaming, dense riff of dynamic chugging overlaid with a melancholic lead shivering in sparseness. Reminiscent of In Flames Clayman-era (before the transition to insurmountable hideousness), this song is precisely that which has been lacking of late, the smooth touch expressed to perfection on Burning Bridges and Wages of Sin.
Even the dual guitar relays get a spark of rejuvenation here. The Amott brothers evidence their axe-wielding skills with biting force, encircling passages in winding double helixes of harmonised lead guitar, propelling momentum in lightning flashes of scalar dance.
It’s a relief to see equilibrium re-established here, for wrongs to be righted, past blips elided. The confirmation that Arch Enemy are producers of sublime musical expanses is a fact left numbing the head after listening to Rise of the Tyrant.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Great Review... But I fear that your writing skill set is far more interesting than any Arch Enemy release. Unfortunately, that's my dilemma though. The constant hunt for music that pushes the boundaries & challenges my brain. I give Arch Enemy credit for being brutal f*cking metal,there's no doubt, but the production & songwriting bores me.
Still, A great review...
2 - Aaron Fleming
Thanks Guppus.
I'm more than happy to concede that Arch Enemy aren't exactly redefining heavy metal. Which is fine by me, there's a time for more of the same old stylings executed well, perhaps for those moments between the enchanting progressive odysseys.