Arch Enemy Plans To Re-Record Album Of Early Material, Working On New Material Too

Band Photo: Arch Enemy (?)
BW&BK writer Martin Popoff recently caught up with Michael Amott, who revealed current plans to re-record some early (pre-Angela Gossow) material for a new release as well as work on a new album. Here are some excerpts:
"We actually tracked drums already for a new record, which is… it's not a brand-new album in that sense, but we had another singer on the first three albums, before Angela joined. And we've basically taken 12 songs from that era of the band, from those three records, and we kind of redo those, with Angela and Sharlee, everybody, the current band. Daniel, for instance, didn't play drums on the second album. So it's just playing those songs the way we play them now and put them out next year. It's basically songs that we would like to start playing live again, you know, from the first three records. In Japan, those three records were big, but in the rest of the world nobody really knows about them. They didn't pick up in sales after we became gradually bigger with Angela in the band. Those first three records didn't get pulled along with that, because I guess people want to hear us how we are now, with Angela. But there are some great tunes there and we are redoing 12 of our favourites. So that's going to be coming out next year."
"And then slowly we are putting together music for the next record. But we toured really heavily on the last album, Rise Of The Tyrant, so we've been touring. So now this kind of came in so I haven't had much of a break. It's been the busiest couple of years I've ever had. And yeah, there are more people on the Toronto guest list than in our hometown. I guess we've been there too many times (laughs). But it's been good stuff. I love keeping busy. That's what we signed up for."
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16 Comments on "Arch Enemy To Re-Record Album Of Early Material"

5. writes:
Yeah, I'm all for it. The technology alone often makes it worthwhile. I thoroughly enjoyed Testament's "First Strike Still Deadly" and Dimmu's "Stormblast." There are so many good albums that are just not as playable today due to poor production from the 80s and earlier. And sometimes when you have a major switch in vocal styles, it's worth it as well. The classic Iced Earth songs that were re-recorded with Matt Barlow on vocals kicked a$$ too. In this case for Arch Enemy, it sounds like it makes total sense, especially since the band wants to play more of them live - better sound quality, new vocals and band members, and more exposure for those old songs.
Of course if a band totally screws it up, it's another story. Then you'll hear "why did you go and f*** it up?!?!" But I have enjoyed quite a few re-recordings, so I'm optimistic.

12. writes:
I gotta disagree with everyone, I prefer Johan Liiva big time. Burning bridges with Angela on vocals is not something I want to even imagine. Angela is all one tone and cadence, Johan mixed it up much more. Given that, listen to Liiva's current band Hearse instead.
14. writes:
I think what gets me about it is if it weren't for Johan being in the band on those disks, the music wouldn't be as good as it is. Aside from WOS (which he had a hand in the music too before he left), Arch Enemy's gone generally downhill musically since Angela's release.
And those vocals on Doomsday Machine. . .*shudder*

16. writes:
I love Angela Gossow voice and Im very happy and excited that Arch Enemy is re-recording their old stuff I think it will sound better with a better singer not that Johan Liiva wasnt good Angela Gossow's is just simply better. I cant wait till the release of this new album.
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1. Anubiz writes:
I prefer old Arch Enemy so this is great news.