Melodic death metal vets Arch Enemy announced their impending ninth studio set, War Eternal, earlier this month, but what they didn't mention at the time was that it will be their first with Canadian vocalist Alissa White-Gluz, formerly of the Agonist.
The lineup change was announced today (March 17) via a press release in which longtime vocalist Angela Gossow confirmed that she's stepping down as Arch Enemy's "voice of anger," a position she's held since taking over for original singer Johan Liiva in 2001. During her tenure, she recorded six albums with the band, capping things with 2011's Khaos Legions. While Gossow won't be taking centre stage anymore, she will still be active with the band as their business manager.
"After 13 years of pure fucking metal, six studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests," she said. "I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I've known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine — and now she's getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001."
While Arch Enemy will forge on with White-Gluz on the mic, the move also means that the Agonist have now called it a day. The band's last LP was 2012's Prisoners.
"It is not often that you get a phone call from your favourite band asking you to join," White-Gluz said earlier today in a post on Facebook, switching gears to explain the end of the Agonist, "But, it is with great sadness that I must also announce that the Agonist as you have come to know it is now a thing of the past. I had every intention of (and had even started) writing and recording yet another killer album this year, but my former band-mates decided to choose a different path. I wish I could change the situation but the unfortunate decision was made beyond my control so I can only wish them the very best of luck now that our time working together has concluded."
As previously reported, War Eternal is also the first Arch Enemy album to be recorded since guitarist Christopher Amott left the band. Arsis axe-slinger Nick Cordle took his place in 2012.
The album was tracked at a few Swedish studios, with Arch Enemy producing the set while having Jens Bogren handle mixing and mastering duties. Guitarist Michael Amott previously reported that the record will deliver "strong and vicious metal, drenched in tons of melody and emotion."
Though track details have yet to arrive in full, a video for the title track is expected to drop on March 20. The band also have a number of European gigs coming up, and you can see the show info over here.
The lineup change was announced today (March 17) via a press release in which longtime vocalist Angela Gossow confirmed that she's stepping down as Arch Enemy's "voice of anger," a position she's held since taking over for original singer Johan Liiva in 2001. During her tenure, she recorded six albums with the band, capping things with 2011's Khaos Legions. While Gossow won't be taking centre stage anymore, she will still be active with the band as their business manager.
"After 13 years of pure fucking metal, six studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests," she said. "I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I've known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine — and now she's getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001."
While Arch Enemy will forge on with White-Gluz on the mic, the move also means that the Agonist have now called it a day. The band's last LP was 2012's Prisoners.
"It is not often that you get a phone call from your favourite band asking you to join," White-Gluz said earlier today in a post on Facebook, switching gears to explain the end of the Agonist, "But, it is with great sadness that I must also announce that the Agonist as you have come to know it is now a thing of the past. I had every intention of (and had even started) writing and recording yet another killer album this year, but my former band-mates decided to choose a different path. I wish I could change the situation but the unfortunate decision was made beyond my control so I can only wish them the very best of luck now that our time working together has concluded."
As previously reported, War Eternal is also the first Arch Enemy album to be recorded since guitarist Christopher Amott left the band. Arsis axe-slinger Nick Cordle took his place in 2012.
The album was tracked at a few Swedish studios, with Arch Enemy producing the set while having Jens Bogren handle mixing and mastering duties. Guitarist Michael Amott previously reported that the record will deliver "strong and vicious metal, drenched in tons of melody and emotion."
Though track details have yet to arrive in full, a video for the title track is expected to drop on March 20. The band also have a number of European gigs coming up, and you can see the show info over here.
