Search - Arch Enemy :: Anthems of Rebellion

...ANTHEMS OF GREAT METAL

Azrael Nazarene | Unknown, Purgatory, HELL | 01/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You might see this as an important album; if not specifically to the world then to all the people who need a reintroduction to integrity to depth. For Arch Enemy it's of equal importance, for two primary reasons. The first, is of course that this album holds the pressure of the world on its shoulders. The success of the band's last album Wages Of Sin certainly doesn't help there. This also happens to be Arch Enemy's second record with Angela Gossow a malevolent vocal force who shakes, rattles and bloody well rolls. Thusly, you have expectations on one hand, and another album to sort out while keeping the standard high. The woes of being rock 'n roll.



Arch Enemy needn't worry, as Anthems Of Rebellion is easily their strongest offering to date. To the dismay of core fans, you'll find this album on a different level to the band's previous recordings; simplicity is favoured over complexity. However, that's where the doubt should end, as Arch Enemy have made the transition from traditional death metal noise makers to sophisticated craftsmen of the ample tune. This record is certainly loaded with enough of the stick, catchy stuff. We Will Rise, Instinct and Dehumanization could quite possibly be this band's most outright infectious material to date.



With the basics being quite proudly stuck to as a core piece, the band leaves it to the light touches of keyboards to snap the layers into place. Surprisingly it all works quite well; even if the inclusion of these melodic flecks feels a bit tacked on instead of fully integrated. It still gels nicely, and proves that Arch Enemy may just be boiling up some ambition for the next album. However, hardcore fans need not fret, as there is still a fair picking of brutality to sate your taste for blood. Silent Wars is frantic, yet still representative of the band's newfound simplicity. Dead Eyes See No Future rolls in savagely, while Leader Of The Rats recalls Heartwork era Carcass on the lead riff. Despicable Heroes is probably the best of the weighty numbers, it's excursion into thrash-metal dynamics and peppery double bass proving a rather effective kick in the teeth.



So the rebels have their anthems. With pride, Arch Enemy have an album of radical, uncompromised songs to passionately fire out at anyone who gets in their way. Anthems Of Rebellion extends the band's growing reputation, while throwing a couple of interesting ideas into the mix. Ultimately, the revolution needs a fiery collection to kick start it. Cue up this record and burn your bras. It's the way of the most diverse and best recording Arch Enemy. I CAN'T RECOMEND THIS ENOUGH TO METAL HEADS..."

Could be better

flamingchimaira | Palmdale, CA | 10/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all try and ignore the mainstream poser that gave this album a one.This a good album but it doesn't quite match up to their previous release Wages of Sin.The guitars are incredible and great drumming.Angela Gossow sounded better on Wages of Sin.If you are a TRUE METAL fan pick this one up and Wages of Sin;you wont regret it.But if youre into the mainstream crap, you should go hang out with Fred Durst's buddy and listen to the radio together."

EXCELLENT!! I love arch enemy!

Bodom J | Bethpage, TN United States | 09/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whoa, this is a million times better than wages of sin. Don't get me wrong, WOS is a great album but it was very hard to listen to because it was so long. I could not put that cd in and listen to it from track one to finish, it got old. Plus, there were a few duds on that one. This album? There isn't as many songs on here this time and they are all shorter in length (there is 13 tracks but only 10 of them are actualy full songs). The riffs are SUPER solid and the solos are excellent. this is a extremely solid album, balls out heavy metal. They have also started using more noises and keyboards and they add a whole new dimension to their heavy metal assault.It's CATCHY! Super super catchy, one of the most catchiest album i've ever heard. Angela's voice has improved greatly, it's gotten much lower and more death metal like, waaaaay more brutal. Even though it's so easy to listen to it, it doens't get boring like mainstream music. Each song has a hook that just pulls you in.Other than the iron maiden's dance of death, this is the frickin cd of the year. Thanks Arch Enemy, for making great music."