Arch Enemy – Deceivers

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Here we go again, one of those all-time favourites showering us with another bout of plastic containing their latest music. I still remember the first them I saw them live, which was on September 21^st in 1999. ARCH ENEMY were the opening band, and were followed by the majestic, CHILDREN OF BODOM, the outstanding IN FLAMES and the ever-dependable DARK TRANQUILLITY. The cost of the ticket was fl 18.50, about € 8.50, so real cheap. It was a brilliant night, and ARCH ENEMY played phenomenally that night.

Now we are some 23 years later, and the band are on their third singer. Alissa White-Gluz is a peach, as she not only has a beautiful voice, but also a great presence, on and off stage. She can grunt, growl, but also sing like the best of them. She shows this on the opening track “Handshake With Hell”, where all three the voices will pass you by. The Melodic Death Metal the band plays has always been a mix between extreme heavy riffs, combined with Melodic breaks and guitar solos. That has never changed, but it has gotten better over the years. “Deceivers” is another bit of proof of this.

The fact that they have guitarist extraordinaire Jeff Loomis (ex-NEVERMORE) in their midst might be detrimental to that feat. He is able to give the band just that extra dimension. And although that gives them a rather big leap of progression in the slower and more Melodic riffs, ARCH ENEMY is still most impressive when they go at full speed. preferably with the double bass drum at full blast. I know Nicko McBrain once said that good drummers don’t need it, but like with Dave Lombardo in his SLAYER era’s, Daniel Erlandsson makes them sound an essential part of the music. Just listen to “The Watcher”.

What I do need to mention is that every song is of a very high quality and standard, whether they play fast or slow. This is just a bloody good album on its own accord. But, if like me, you want it to become even better, go for the deluxe version with the two bonus songs. The FIGHT song “Into The Pit” has never sounded so heavy, and the grunting of Alissa White-Gluz only adds to the enjoyment. And for me as Dutchie, their rendition f PICTURE’s “Diamond Dreamer” gives me shivers from top to bottom. The way she sings it is above impressive. So, my conclusion: ARCH ENEMY have made a corker with “Deceivers”. Recommended listening for every kind of Metalhead!

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 10