ARCH ENEMY - Dead Eyes See No Future

ARCH ENEMY
Dead Eyes See No Future
Century Media - 2004
7/10




Here’s a little treat that will tide Arch Enemy fans over until the band’s next release. One of the strongest tracks from their ‘Anthems Of Rebellion’ album is showcased here, featuring the flaming guitar manipulations of founding member Michael Amott.

Three live tracks are put forth, lifted from recordings of the band in Paris during their 2004 tour. ‘We Will Rise’ really gets the audience into the action, their thundering chants clearly audible as the band rips through a great version of this highly popular tune.

Amott’s lead conveys shredding of the highest degree; he is one of the best lead players around, without a doubt. ‘Heart Of Darkness’, exclusive to the US release is classic Arch Enemy, with a formidable effort by drummer Daniel Erlandsson and bassist Sharlee D’Angelo.

The guitar tandem of Michael and Christopher Amott show diversity in the rhythms of ‘Burning Angel’ which are a cool hybrid of Megadeth and Iron Maiden. On each of the live tracks, vocalist Angela Gossow spits furious vocal rumblings inundated with nihilistic attitude. Additionally, there are three covers exclusive to the release. Megadeth’s ‘Symphony Of Destruction’ sounds if someone took 80 grit sandpaper to the original, with excellent execution from the guitar duo and the flanged out bray of Gossow. AE tear up Manowar’s ‘Kill With Power’, injecting an adversarial gruffness to the song, which is performed at a blistering pace.

Lastly, in the way of covers, we have ‘Incarnated Solvent Abuse’ a track from Mike Amott’s former band Carcass. Coming from a big Carcass fan, the EP could do without this incestuous track. It is no more desirable to hear this than it would be to hear Megadeth cover Metallica. Sorry. With the inclusion of the video for ‘We Will Rise’, fans will get a great clip that they’ve probably seen 100 times by now if a true AE fan, or if you've ever watched Headbangers Ball. Still, it is pretty cool to have a digital copy for the collection.

Aside from the Carcass misstep, ‘Dead Eyes See No Future’ is a release worthy of the attention of any fan of blazing fretwork and snarling blackened vocals.


ERIN FOX © 2004 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED