´´Welcome to the Blood Dynasty!´´ With these words Michael Amott announced on the 4^th of October 2024 the twelfth studio album from Swedish Melodic Death Metal band Arch Enemy.

”Blood Dynasty” is the first full album with new guitarist Joey Concepcion who replaced Jeff Loomis after his departure in 2023. Concepcion can be heard already on the bonus tracks of the ”Deceivers” album.

We are starting the album with some eerie, gothic, organ like sounds but they are interrupted by the power grunt voice of Alissa White-Gluz and some power drums and guitar riffs. The ‘‘Dream Stealer” comes at night and sneakes into our minds so deep. Since it was already released by the end of July. We had time to let it sneake into our minds while waiting for the rest of the album. 

Now it’s time to march. ”March of the Miscreants” has a perfect rhythm to headbang. I bet during a live performance we will see the whole crowd banging in the same flow. With the chorus talking about the fact that this is our song, the ”March of the Miscreants” and that this is were we belong. It will definetly create a unity among the fans. Halfway there is some time for Michael Amott, Joey Concepcion, Sharlee D’Angelo and Daniel Erlandsson to shine and show their talent. But White-Gluz takes back the power with her voice and the song ends with a bang.

”Presage” is the shortest track on this album. With 48 seconds of a simple acoustic guitar it serves as a midway break or does it serves as an extra long intro of the next song? Because ”Blood Dynasty” opens with guitar riffs which has a similar tone like the ”Presage” before. This gives it a nice and good flow. In my opinion the guitar riff used in ”Blood Dynasty” sounds like music to my ears. It sticks and makes me hum during the rest of the song. It really gives the Melodic Death Metal vibe. The song was already released on the 27^th of november as the third track.

The surprise of the album is the cover of ”Vivre Libre”. The song by the French Heavy Metal band Blaspheme shows a total different side off the band. Maybe a side that not every fan of Arch Enemy wants to see. White-Gluz sings in French and her normal very beautiful singing voice. Switching between her high voice and the long lash outs. It shows what a multi talent of a singer she is. The overall vibe of the song reminds me of Iron Maiden‘s style of making music. Normally the band only does covers on the deluxe edition of the album. This is the first time that a cover makes it to the main track list. Overall this song is a really good power metal ballad and not a usual Arch Enemy song.

After the little trip to France, White-Gluz got home sick and so we return back full speed to the grunting and the death metal genre with ”The Pendulum”. Singing about how time slips away and the future is waiting. The musicians play like they have no time to waste. This really high speed song will be an good one for mosh piting during a live performance.

The final closure of this album, but funny the second released teaser single ”Liars & Thieves” keeps the high speed tempo of the previous song. It feels like they want to end with a massive banger. White-Gluz even switches between her grunting voice and her singing voice during the song. We even get a little drum solo from Erlandsson. The song ends with a slowly fading away outro and so ends the ”Blood Dynasty”.

Amott said during the announcement that ”Blood Dynasty” will excel the fans’ expectations for an Arch Enemy album. He said that the new album pushes the boundaries of what we’ve done before. It’s everything you’ve come to expect from the band and then some! I think he means by some, maybe some more? Or some as in something different? Compared to their previous album ”Deceivers”, ”Blood Dynasty” is less melodic and more up speed/ power. Its louder, rougher and yet it also shows a softer side of the band without losing their roots.

Arch Enemy will be touring this year. Starting on the 14^th of april. You can get your tickets here

Rating: 7,5/10

Release Date: 28^th March 2025

Label: Century Media Records

Writer: Milou

Tracklist:

1. Dream Stealer
2. Illuminate the Path
3. March of the Miscreants
4. A Million Suns
5. Don’t Look Down
6. Presage
7. Blood Dynasty
8. Paper Tiger
9. Vivre Libre
10. The Pendulum
11. Liars & Thieves