The first thing that grabs me immediately is the vocals. They have been toned down a touch and sound much less forced than on the previous album. I find them heavy still yet more accessible and effortless. I guess some touring and voice care can do some wonderful things. I find myself indecisive when asked if I like the new singer's sound over the old…oh well, not my decision and both can get things done most adequately.

The real show here is the brothers Amott for me. If I had to come back in life as an inanimate object, other than the various sex toys on both mine and your minds right now, I think being an Amott guitar would be just heavenly…helping those stupendous METAL riffs get out there for all to hear would be just mint…haha! These guys can play and achieve an old classic Metal sound that even the old classic bands struggle to find…that is what I think of when I reach for ARCH ENEMY from my shelf.

Andy Sneap waves his magic wand all over this one and just like NEVERMORE's "Dead Heart In A Dead World", the production is an obvious high point. I think Andy should be livin' large these days since he seems to be becoming the missing member for quite a few bands! It's too bad, NEVERMORE didn't respect what they had gained in Andy and had him back. You hearing that Michael A…God I hope so!

This platter starts off with a heavy chanting intro before letting go into the ripping, riffing, racing "Silent Wars"…a track that reeks of hatred and pain. You know how some bands can just create atmosphere with the lead-off cut…ARCH ENEMY is one of those bands. "We Will Rise" gets both heavier and more melodic…some interesting background effects add great depth. The deathy melodies of "Dead Eyes See No Future" make me drift into a dark and tranquil place where I dream I burst in flames before the workers dig my grave and bury me deep within the soil. The lyrics and vocals of "Instinct" are that track's highlight and definitely a chorus one can carry with you for hours after the spinning has stopped. "Leader Of The Rats" takes ARCH ENEMY to a new level of expectation for me…this track hands down makes the CD for me and makes me realize what this band is capable of…it must be heard…I can't do it justice with words! I find ARCH ENEMY's ability to use the 80's style ACCEPT/PRIEST riffs and combine them with Thrash to be a sound that makes me want to sleep with my guitar at night. I can imagine this as the only way one achieves such finesse with the axe, both in riff-writing and playing rhythm or lead… "Move over Honey…you, me and Les Paul are getting it on tonight!" "Exist To Exit" is a fine example of the words I preach. Christopher Amott is the man behind the acoustic "Marching On A Dead End Road" that sets up the next track "Despicable Heroes" to annihilate and destroy all in its path…despicable is right….hahaha. If you assume the remaining tracks are filler because I don't expand here then the old saying is almost right…you are an ASS…I feel I should at least do you a solid and save something for you to figure out yourself…hahaha…ASS!

I can't do anything but recommend this stellar release. When I read reviews of ARCH ENEMY the focus is often far from picks and riffs and the brothers Amott where it should be. Pick it up and focus there…ye shall be rewarded! I definitely see this in my 2003's Top Ten. It's unlikely to move much at this point. (Online September 12, 2003)