Ever since Angela Gossow took over the vocal reins of Arch Enemy for the 2002 release “Wages Of Sin”, their sound has been identifiable like few other bands. The gloriously brutal “Doomsday Machine” only strengthens their hold on the world of Metal. Gossow’s malevolent growl acts as the perfect foil to the ungodly barrage of drummer Daniel Erlandsson and bassist Sharlee D’Angelo and counters the stunning guitar of the brothers Amott. 

To the uninitiated, Arch Enemy deliver a perfect blend of aggression and melody, coupled with a huge production quality, which makes the music literally smack you in the face. Admittedly, Gossow’s voice is personal choice thing, for me, it fits perfectly, it generates underlying evil, to push the music into deeper and darker areas. And “Doomsday Machine” is dark, very dark indeed. They’ve taken the all of the qualities of true Black, Speed and Death Metal and thrown in some blistering guitar work to create a sound that nods a respectful head to their forefathers and equally, peers. 

“Enter The Machine” and “Taking Back My Soul” signify the beginning of the hell ride, the former, a dark brooding instrumental builds to the machine gun delivery of the latter. First single “Nemesis” continues the battery and let’s be honest, Chris Moyles ‘aint going be playing this on the breakfast show. The great unwashed aren’t capable of taking this at seven o’clock in the morning. I’d love to frighten the fat bastard with it though. 

Whilst the watchword is brutality, the band cleverly break down the wall of sound every now again to create a more soulful mode, “Carry The Cross” creates a mood of despair, wallowing in its dark subject and driving hard through the solos and chorus section. The classic thrash riffing sounds fresh, staccato and multi tempo, reminiscent of the early Testament sound. And Testament are a reasonable reference point, not quite as dark as the ‘Enemy, butsimilar in delivery, “I Am Legend” is a good example. Christopher and Michael Amott are in a class of their own, they have a formidable back catalogue between them and the dual guitar attack on “…Machine” is the tip of an ever rising inferno. 

Overall, this is the band at their peak, the epitome of what I call “proper metal”. Vocally and lyrically fearsome, coupled with a musical barrage that’s multi levelled, virtuoso guitar and scrotum shrinkingly heavy riffing. The album contains no fillers, each song is crafted to the limit and deserves its place. Without doubt my album of the year so far and expect a gushing review of the band live after the upcoming Manchester show, after seeing the live cuts on the bonus DVD, it ‘aint gonna be pleasant.

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Track List

Enter the Machine
Taking Back My Soul
Nemesis
My Apocalypse
Carry the Cross
I Am Legend/Out for Blood
Skeleton Dance
Hybrids of Steel
Mechanic God Creation
Machtkampf
Slaves of Yesterday

Line Up

Angela Gossow- Vocals
Christopher Amoot - Guitars
Michael Amoot - Guitars
Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass
Daniel Elandsson - Drums