Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant

My first impression of this album was that it was just mediocre Arch Enemy not enough to make a valiant dent in my skull. 'Stigmata' (1998) I think will remain my favorite AE release forever. However, 'Rise of the Tyrant' does have much variety featuring lead and rhythm guitars, acoustic melodies, various leads, and sick vocals by Angela.

The lyrics were well thought out in my opinion both done mostly by Angela plus Michael Amott as well. Angela doesn't have much variety on this album it's mostly harsh throat but still I think it was a good effort on her part. She is definitely a better vocalist than AE's previous one Johan Liiva.

'Rise of The tyrant' is probably in my view the best AE release since 'Wages of Sin' (2001). Nice to include Christopher Amott back in the lineup. He was out of the band for I think a few years before returning. He is more technical than his brother on leads however both members contributed quite a bit on the riffs/melodies.

Riff-wise I'd say this release is not as good as 'Wages of Sin', 'Burning Bridges' (1999) or 'Stigmata'. But 'Rise of the Tyrant' has like I said more variety in the music writing it features many melodies, leads, acoustic pieces, plus an instrumental entitled 'Intermezzo Liberté'.

My personal favorite tracks are 'Blood on Your Hands', 'Revolution Begins' and 'Night Falls Fast'. However I did enjoy the whole album it's still in the genre of melodic death metal and AE seemed to experiment more here on the songwriting. If you are an Arch Enemy fan it would be my recommendation to pick this release up and form your own view of it.

1. Blood On Your Hands
2. The Last Enemy
3. I Will Live Again
4. In This Shallow Grave
5. Revolution Begins
6. Rise Of The Tyrant
7. The Day You Died
8. Intermezzo Liberté
9. Night Falls Fast
10. The Great Darkness
11. Vultures


Century Media
Reviewer: Death8699
Aug 8, 2010

Share this: