After the initial shock of recruiting a singer who is as beautiful as she is deadly on the mic, Arch Enemy needed an album to let the world know that they aren't just a band riding the gimmick of having a female singer. Anthems of Rebellion is that album. With singer Angela Gossow having fine-tuned her vocals and the band sporting a wickedly evolved sound, the new album from Arch Enemy is a vicious beast of millennium death/thrash. The first thing you will notice here is Angela's über-evil vocal attack. She seems to have really concentrated on developing her vocal style into a mutant, superhuman growl, and it has paid off in spades. Along with some serpentine effects on the song "Leader of the Rats", the vocals are absolutely top notch, some of the best and most signature vocals out there. The thing I loved about AoR is the fact that Arch Enemy has perfected their sound without selling out or becoming repetitive. It is very unique, yet it still manages to scream out "Arch Enemy". They've morphed into a quasi-thrash band, mostly due to the vocal style, but partly due to the production. It seems that the powerful, death metal production has been toned a little differently to be more neo-thrash. They still retain their more moderate tempo, yet the heaviness is just slightly tweaked. I would have preferred the heaviness, as the guitar tone seems to be missing just a little bit at times. Overall though, I am satisfied with the production. Another new element come in the final few tracks, which is some male vocals (delivered by guitarist Mike Amott, I believe –ed) a la Lacuna Coil. The Hetfieldian vocals are very subtle, so they do not overshadow any of Angela's vox, but they were a very welcome surprise, giving me what is oh-so-important in today's metal scene: the unexpected. A good number of the song themes have to do with no longer being second best, a title they have been battling to get rid of since their beginnings and the initial comparisons to In Flames. In my mind, they have overtaken their peers. Another home run from Arch Enemy was integral to the survival of the band. In fact, I half expected them to falter on this release due to sad disappointments from countrymen Soilwork and In Flames. Yet, Arch Enemy remains fresh and powerful, rebellious and creative. I foresee many of these songs as being some killer live tracks. There's not a doubt in my mind that Arch Enemy are among the upper echelon of today's melodic death metal scene.

We Will Rise - The single from album, incredibly catchy & inspirational Instinct - This one will SHRED in the live setting End of the Line - Interesting. Male backing vocals