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ARCH ENEMY Frontwoman: 'I Can't Wrap My Head Around The Concept Of Death Because I'm Totally Atheist'

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Greece’s TV War conducted an interview with vocalist Alissa White-Gluz and guitarist Michael Amott of multi-national melodic death metal outfit ARCH ENEMY. You can watch the entire chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the philosophy behind “Will To Power”, the title of ARCH ENEMY‘s new studio album:

Alissa: “I would just, as cheesy as it sounds, I think a lot about death, life and death. That’s one of the reasons I’m vegan. Death terrifies me. I don’t want to impose death on anyone else. I don’t want to die. I can’t wrap my head around the concept of death because I’m totally atheist. There’s nothing after life in my head, whether that’s right or wrong. For me, my ‘will to power’ I guess, is just to live a positive life and spread positivity as much as possible to other people and other living beings and hope that with whatever audience I have for my voice, I can actually do some good in the world. It sounds really cheesy, but legit, that’s what I think about. I think that can be either through just making someone feel good because they like the sound of our music, or maybe encouraging somebody to go vegan or encouraging somebody to go straight-edge or whatever it is. I get a lot of feedback on those subjects from fans. Every day I get lots of emails and lots of messages from fans saying ‘This song saved my life.’ And that’s really encouraging. I think that really inspires me to keep going for sure.”

Michael: “I don’t know… I don’t really have any ambitions like that. No, I’m just here to entertain people, hopefully make them smile, make them feel something. I’ve been very lucky. I’ve achieved most of my goals, really. Beyond my wildest imagination, really. I started off with no ambition other than to play small shows in front of my friends, maybe make a professional demo cassette or something. I didn’t have a big dream of playing the big stages. Then it’s been step by step, my path just took me in this direction and, of course, now I’m very serious about how ARCH ENEMY has turned into a serious thing. We have employees and it’s a big operation. But I didn’t really have that ambition to start with. I just kind of fell into it, really.”

On whether the band doesn’t want to stray from its writing “comfort zone”:

Michael: “Of course, this is our tenth album. We’re working with a twenty-year history of writing and recording and putting out this music under the banner of ARCH ENEMY. Of course, there is something, I guess, which is a familiar ground; there is a sound. Maybe we have even our own sound at this point. I don’t really think that we’re experimenting, like going crazy or anything, but I think we’re definitely putting in some new elements. We’re bringing in some new members sometimes; hopefully no more, but we have Jeff [Loomis, guitar] with us, we have Alissa. Alissa‘s a big part of putting it all together. Sometimes, to be honest, I’m not developing. I’m not really moving forward, but then I listen to something I did ten years ago, I think ‘Wow, that’s so different to what I would do now.’ Without noticing, I’ve grown, or I’ve developed as a player, or as a composer.”

On White-Gluz‘s lyrical approach for ARCH ENEMY:

Alissa: “I was always very familiar with the entire discography of ARCH ENEMY, prior to when I started writing songs with them, which was the last two albums. I mean, I always sort of write from a place — the starting point for me, is the instrumental song. So I listen to the music and depending on what I feel with that, then I’ll start to put together words that I think suit that. Because I know that I’m going to be screaming these words, so I can’t talk about boring nothingness. It has to be something I’m passionate about. So, I don’t think I really changed my lyrical style that much actually when I started writing with ARCH ENEMY. It was already kind of in line with what ARCH ENEMY talked about anyway. I do think that Mike and I have different ways of writing lyrics and I encourage people when they listen to a song to check out which one of us wrote it, because I think people are confused by that sometimes. I think our writing styles complement each other very well and they work together really well even though they are slightly different.”

On whether they keep an eye on the world’s events despite being from relatively stable countries like Canada and Sweden:

Michael: “We have friends all over the world, of course. Since many, many years we’re always traveling, we’ve made many friends all over the world. One thing I’ve learned in working with the heavy metal community worldwide, I can say that I meet people who come from nothing, but we share the same passion and enthusiasm for this music that connects us. I think that’s something very emotional, actually, to see people coming from less fortunate places in the world and we can connect with them. Yeah, there are certain things that make me very angry. I always feel like corruption is one of them that I feel very strongly about. It always seems like power corrupts. Somebody starts off as a good politician, then power inevitably corrupts. There’s a lot of problems everywhere, it seems, right now. [Laughs] People complain in Sweden a lot, too. I always think, ‘What the hell are you complaining about?’ I feel sometimes that we’re definitely spoiled in Northern Europe with stability of economy and political situations. I have a lot of friends — we all have a lot of friends all over the world, it’s something we’re very interested in.”

Alissa: “I think it’s also why we write those songs because we’re sort of speaking out on their behalf as much as we can. We don’t really write songs only about ourselves. We want people to be able to relate to it. Like Mike said, we have friends all over the world. I have friends I interact with. I’ve been talking a lot with friends in Iran recently about how heavy metal music is illegal there and the punishment involved for just wanting to listen to this kind of music. There’s a lot of freedoms we have that we realize other people don’t have. That being said, as someone living in North America, I’ve only been there a couple of generations. Prior to that, I had family who did live in turmoil. I have those stories and those memories from my grandparents who went through absolute hell. I think that there’s something to be said about, I’m not sure what to call this term, what words to use, but ’cause-dilution.’ Just when you have so many causes you care about that you think you can’t care about all of them enough. I think nowadays especially, I get so many people ‘Please can you tweet about this injured dog that needs money for his surgery?’ Or ‘Please can you tweet about my daughter who has cancer and we need to get money for her for chemotherapy?’ ‘Please can you re-tweet this organization?’ I want to help everyone.”

ARCH ENEMY‘s new album, “Will To Power”, was released on September 8 via Century Media. Co-produced by Amott and drummer Daniel Erlandsson, the disc was mixed and mastered by longtime collaborator and friend Jens Bogren (OPETH, AT THE GATES, DIMMU BORGIR). The album’s cover artwork was designed by Alex Reisfar.


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ARCH ENEMY Frontwoman: ‘I Can’t Wrap My Head Around The Concept Of Death Because I’m Totally Atheist’
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CD Reviews

Ministry – HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

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As we near the collapse of mankind and the imminent doom of our political system, a perfect stage has been set for the outspoken rebels to flood the airwaves with dissident upheaval bathed in musical bliss. With the end looming, no greater landscape could welcome the reemergence of the enigmatic Al Jourgensen and company with their latest release, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, via Nuclear Blast Records. Scheduled for a March 1st 2024 release, Uncle Al, along with guitarist Cesar Soto, Paul D’Amour, formerly of TOOL, on bass, John Bechdel on keys, Roy Mayorga (ex-STONE SOUR) on drums, and newly added guitarist Monte Pittman, form the current incarnation of the long-lived Ministry.

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This album is an open-book commentary on our American society at large, bathed in slow-burn angst and distortion injected with punk rock/thrash riffs and samples galore.

Within the opening seconds of track one, a female voice proclaims, “What was once forbidden becomes fringe, and what was once fringe becomes mainstream.” Soon Al’s vocals take over with a distorted and effect heavy declaration of “horny little boys filled with hormones and hate, waging war on women ‘’cause they can’t get a date,” thus laying the groundwork for the entire album. As “B.D.E.” (Big Dick Energy) continues, a heavy yet simplistic guitar riff drives the song forward while increasing the energy level and tempo. Al’s vocals continue with his immediate, recognizable attitude and tone, stating, “No one can justify the toxic behavior.”

“Goddamn White Trash” is perhaps the most accessible and rythematic song on the release. It has hints of the Psalm 69 days of the band. Chants of “USA, USA” ring out along side screeching guitar noise reminiscent of Mike Scaccia’s playing style.

Track three is titled “Just Stop Oil,” and it dives into yet another realm of political advocacy. Jourgensen delivers, “Dehumanization at a cellular level. Policy set by the corporate devils, There must be resistance, we cannot be silenced, There is the existence of possible violence” in a growled whisper.

On the track “Aryan Embarrassment,”  we are treated to a none-more-fitting guest appearance from what I believe is activist and Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra, who delivers a rap-style series of vocal lines backed by a driving rhythm. Jello wails, “How on Earth did all this happen? Plagues of militantly stupid” Followed by “Scamming on the punk scene.  Oi, oi, oi. Ain’t proud of you boys at all.”

Another standout track is “New Religion” which starts with a classic industrial riff and buries itself in the repetitive, slow-burn heaviness that has become the Ministry standard as of late. Followed by “It’s Not Pretty,” which opens as a haunting acoustic piece that I imagine being set in a post apocalyptic landscape with the reverberating lyrics “It’s not pretty. This is the end of the world to me. This is the end of society.”

“Cult of Suffering” strays from the format of the balance of the album and could be firmly placed on an Alabama 3 album, and it may feel at home on a Surgical Meth Machine release.

Rounding out the album is a little ditty called “Ricky’s Hand.” This is a synth pop throwback to the early days of Ministry and leaves us longtime fans eager to hear the longtime teased rerecording of some of the very early Ministry material. This track has a Devo, Information Society, and even Depeche Mode feel to it and is a perfect bookend to a solid release from an iconic band.

Ministry will be on tour throughout the summer with Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper and Helmet.

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Concert Reviews

Bloodywood: Concert Review Pittsburgh, PA

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In a realm of modern music overflowing with musical genres, there are few bands that possess a unique sonic force that defies categorization while leaving listeners spellbound and yearning for more. One such band is Bloodywood. They are a musical force that blends cultural heritage with a relentless fusion of metal, hip-hop, and traditional Indian rhythms.

As a band, they are carving a distinctive path and leaving an indelible mark on the modern musical landscape. Their raw energy, cultural fusion, and a fearless spirit of rebellion is a testament to the transformative power of music, transcending boundaries and uniting people from all corners of the globe. With their infectious energy and thought-provoking lyrics, the band has built an ardent following, igniting a revolution that stretches far beyond the realm of music or the shores of any country.

Born in the vibrant streets of New Delhi, India, in 2016, Bloodywood showcases their unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, both musically and socially, as they fearlessly tackle pressing issues and ignite conversations.

The sonic odyssey of Bloodywood graced the stage of the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, which is nestled in the shadow of Pittsburgh only a short distance down the Ohio River from the infamous Steel City.

The show opened with a blast of energy from the British duo WARGASM, whose stage presence was undeniable. Sam Matlock, Milkie Way, and company tore through an unadulterated set of nu-metal tracks tinged with punk and electronica that included “Super Fiend”, “D.R.I.L.D.O”, and “Rage All Over”. They followed up with the video sensation “Fukstar” and wound down the set with some crowd surfing and a cover of N*E*R*D’s “Lapdance” and closed out the set with the track “Spit”.

After a brief break in the mayhem, Vended made the stage rumble to life. Their agro-metal induced a great deal of similarity to early Slipknot, and that is not surprising given that frontman Griffen Taylor is the son of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Simon Crahan is the son of percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan. The band sounded tight and featured competent song composition; however, the vocalist needed to learn how to work the stage. It was as if his shoes were nailed to the floor at center stage.

As stage lighting flickered to life, the crowd prepared to be immersed in a symphony of cultural fusion, electrifying riffs, and unapologetic lyrics. We all knew that we were about to experience something quite special. As the sonic saga began, drummer Vishesh Singh sat behind his kit, awash in blue and purple lights, as the anticipation grew more intense. The intro track for “Gaddaar” echoed throughout the theater before the bombastic bass, gnarly guitar riffs, and the thump of the drums shook the walls as the entire band burst onto the stage to metaphorically say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an electrifying evening filled with raw energy enshrined in a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that defies conventions.”

The crowd began losing themselves in the pounding intensity, their bodies moving in sync with each thunderous beat as Sarthak Pahwa wailed away on his dhol. The band seamlessly migrates from the thunderous “”Gaddaar” to “BSDK.exe” from their most recent release Rakshak that couples a more hip-hop vibe on the verses with a crushing guitar rhythm from Karan Katiyar throughout the rest of the track.

Adorned in their fusion of metal attire and traditional Indian clothing, twin vocalists Jayant Bhadula (vocals and growls) and Raoul Kerr (rap vocals) commanded a powerful presence as they ran through “Aaj” with its hypnotic flute licks and downright brutal lead vocals. The five minute long song pushed the audience into heightened frenzy before slapping them across the chin with “Dana Dan”. Which had Raoul Kerr rapping/screaming “I put a fist through the face of a rapist and yeah, I taped this. For the viewing pleasure of the nameless faces he disgraces.”

Up next was the more mellow and chill track “Jee Veerey” that featured more of Karan Katiyar’s enigmatic flute playing along with a more melodic yet still intense vocal delivery from Jayant Bhadula as he sang in his native tongue.

The track “Zanjeero Se” was followed by “Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)” which truly showcased the rhythmic prowess of drummer Vishesh Singh and dhol master Sarthak Pahwa. It was so enthralling to watch Sarthak perform on such a simplistic instrument and to make it so vibrant and energetic. His playing transports Bloodywood’s music to a completely different level.

As the set reached its crescendo, it was obvious that the sweat-drenched band had poured their hearts and souls into every note. Wrapping up their set was the sing-along inducing “Ari Ari” that left the crowd breathless and drenched in the passion that radiated from the stage.

But… There is more. As an encore, the band jumps back in to the opening track “Gaddaar” thus cranking up the mosh-pit’s intensity to eleven, causing every person down front to expel every ounce of remaining energy from their bodies.

It was incredibly refreshing to see a band that, in some magical way is able to unite people regardless of age, background, or nationality. To see people connected by their love of the music and a band. The shared experience created an atmosphere of camaraderie and acceptance, where strangers become friends, and barriers dissolve in the face of the music.

Unfortunately, this was the last stop on Bloodywood’s North American tour, save some festival dates. Hopefully, they will be returning to the states soon. If you have the opportunity to see them live, do not sleep on it. I promise you will not be disappointed.

In the meantime you can get more info at: www.bloodywood.net/

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CD Reviews

Cattle Decapitation Terrasite Album Review

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Terrasite by Cattle Decapitation

Today, 05/12/2023, saw the release of the 8th studio album from San Diego’s own Cattle Decapitation. The follow up to 2019s Death Atlas, Terrasite shows how a band can grow and evolve while staying true to their roots. Starting as a grind band in the late 90s and with relentless touring and continual releases this album shows them further building upon elements of their previous albums.

The album has great production. The copy I used primarily for my review is the vinyl version which is 45 RPM and it sounds great. In particular, I think the drum production is particularly well executed. A lot of times with death metal the kick drum is either too “bassy” so it’s difficult to hear or it’s the other way and you can hear all the hits without the bass tone. This album is a great balance of the two. You can hear clearly how fast drummer, Dave McGraw, is going without losing the “thump”. The blast beats alone will rattle the brain. The guitars are grimy and dirty with some blistering leads. The bass rattles while still having a solid low end. You can really hear it in songs like “Solastalgia” which has a small bass lead in it which I didn’t see coming and was pulled off great.

The vocals, I feel compelled to say that Travis Ryan has to be one of the most underrated and versatile vocalists in metal. Highs that make the ears bleed, lows that are gurgling, wet and gross sounding. Harsh singing reminiscent of 80s thrash bands, and clean singing that are almost, but not quite, reminiscent of the late Peter Steele from Type O Negative.

Lyrically they stay on brand ranging from the end of humanity, apocalyptic themes, and mistreating humans the same way humans mistreat animals. Very dark and grotesque subject matter. When asked about the lyrics to this album Ryan states “I wanted to do the 180° opposite of Death Atlas – I wanted this to take place in the daylight. I’ve always found daytime horror to be really unsettling so I wanted to make sure what was going on on the cover took place in the light of day, which also finds its place within the lyrics.”

Tracks like “A Photic Doom” showcase traditional style death metal guitar riffing, with elements of tech death and slam. “Dead End Residents” leans into some of the darker ends of thrash metal and is reminiscent of bands like Slayer. “Scourge of the Offspring” shows an impressive command of melody without sacrificing the grime that covers the album while almost coming off as anthemic.

The album closes with the ten minute epic “Just Another Body” which begins with a piano melody that would be at home in a late 70s era horror movie while building into something that’s not quite death, not quite thrash, and not quite grind. Ryan uses the full range of his voice while there are symphonics layered in the background to keep the melody from being lost while still playing with grind based riffs and blast beats.

Overall if you’re looking for a strong contender for death metal album of the year I will highly recommend this. As of this writing I haven’t been able to stop listening to it for three days now. The album currently available on all the usual streaming platforms and physical copies can be purchased here. (www.indiemerch.com/cattledecap)

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