Review of Arch Enemy - Dead Eyes See No Future EP

As one of the elite and most recognized acts at the forefront of the Swedish battlelines, Arch Enemy have played an immense role in refining and defining the shape of melodic death metal as we know it today. With an ever evolving sound, the band took another bold step in 2001 by introducing the new female voice of Arch Enemy. Despite much controversy, Angela Gossow's first outing with the band, Wages Of Sin, went on to receive worldwide praise. The ex-Devil In The Details vokillist crushed any and all doubts that a 'girl' could front the legendary Arch Enemy with a brutal performance that went beyond that of Johan Liiva's harsh verses on previous albums. And so a new chapter began...

Now, Arch Enemy is highly respected throughout the world, but none, however, admire them quite as much as the Japanese. To pay tribute to their fan base in Japan, the band dedicated an entire live recording to them whilst on the Burning Bridges tour in 1999 that would be the pricey, hard to find Burning Japan Live. More recently, while on the road promoting their 2003 album Anthems Of Rebellion, the Enemy felt it was necessary to honor Japan once again, this time in the form of an EP. Assembled with the next single, "Dead Eyes See No Future" in mind, the mini-disc was compiled from latter day Gossow rarities, including two live cuts from an earlier Paris show, and three of the band's own renditions of well known metal classics. Fans outside of Japan sat in teary eyed dismay as the Japanese pointed and giggled. Neener! Neener! Neener!

The day that both American and European fans alike have long been hoping for is among us. The Japan only issued Dead Eyes See No Future EP has finally seen worldwide release. No longer will the ravenous such as myself be duped into purchasing shamelessly overpriced copies from auction sites like Ebay. Century Media has opted to seize the opportunity of demand and allow everyone access to the disc. Now everyone stare at the angry Japanese kids as we drive away. No disrespect intended here, but, Neener! to you! Isn't it just about a hoot and a holler being nine years old all over again?

So, shall we discuss the content of the EP in more detail? Yes, lets! As previously stated, Dead Eyes See No Future features live clips of "Burning Angel" and 'We Will Rise", recorded in Paris, France. Every aspect of these tracks are flawless and not far off from their studio counterparts, with the exception of audience participation, of course. On Arch Enemy's remake of the classic Manowar opus "Kill With Power", they take power metal cheese and convert it into their own killer style, slaying the original in every meaning of the word. Examining Michael Amott's memory banks in depth reveals his roots in Carcass. "Incarnate Solvent Abuse" is a blistering heap of putrefied pulverization that runs the risk of lobotomizing the listener. By the end of this ripping number you will surely be indecisive of which version you prefer more. Both slice through your aural senses with surgical precision. Onward, we uncover my only disappointment in Dead Eyes See No Future, and it is very minuscule. With Megadeth's "Symphony Of Destruction", the band's musical performance is right on track, however, when it comes to the vocals, Angela seems to lack feeling in the rhythm enunciations, as if she was singing to a song she had never heard before that day in the studio. Despite that minor issue, the track really rocks!

For the fan's sake, I would hope that Century Media pressed plenty of copies of Dead Eyes See No Future to go around for all Arch Enemy enthusiasts to get their greedy little hands on. This is a priceless addition to any metal collection. Whether you're in America, Europe, or Japan, get yours today. LITERALLY!

Release Details

Arch Enemy

Dead Eyes See No Future EP

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