Arch Enemy

Biography

The band's debut was entitled Black Earth and was released by Wrong Again Records in 1996. It obtained a fair amount of success in Japan. It is considered by many the band's most agressive album, a trait which was softened to some degree on their following releases, but which was never abandoned.

After the release of Black Earth the band switched labels, signing a contract with Century Media. In 1998 Arch Enemy released Stigmata, which counted with the addition of bassist Martin Bengtsson, who was added so that Liiva could concentrate fully on the vocals. This album obtained the attention of a wider audience, reaching popularity both in Europe and America.

In 1999, Burning Bridges was released, and was soon followed by the live album Burning Japan Live 1999, which was initially a release limited to Japan, but which was released on the rest of the world to attend demands from fans.

Johan Liiva quit the band in 2001 and was soon replaced by amateur journalist and death metal vocalist Angela Gossow, who had given a demo tape to Michael Amott eariler that year during an interview she had conducted with him. Despite malicious rumours of Gossow only being chosen to join the band due to her supposed romantic involvement with Michael Amott, she proved to be a competent singer and was received warmly by most fans.

The first album with songs sung by Gossow was Wages of Sin, released in late 2001. On December of the same year, Arch Enemy took part in the Japan's Beast Feast 2002 concert and played alongside Slayer and Motörhead.

Anthems of Rebellion was released in 2003 and a few tours followed. As of 2005, Arch Enemy is on the process of recording a new album.

Line-up