War Eternal

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War Eternal
Studio album by
Arch Enemy
Released6 June 2014 (2014-06-06)
Recorded2013–2014
Studio
  • Fascination Street Studios (Varberg, Sweden)
  • West Coast Songs (Halmstad, Sweden)
  • Sweetspot Satellite (Halmstad, Sweden)
  • Riksmixingsverket (Stockholm, Sweden)
GenreMelodic death metal
Length47:30 (standard)
111:29 (artbook)
LabelCentury Media
ProducerArch Enemy
Arch Enemy chronology
Khaos Legions
(2011) 		War Eternal
(2014) 		Will to Power
(2017)
Singles from War Eternal
  1. "War Eternal"
    Released: 20 March 2014
  2. "As the Pages Burn"
    Released: 28 April 2014
  3. "You Will Know My Name"
    Released: 26 May 2014
  4. "No More Regrets"
    Released: 10 June 2014
  5. "Stolen Life"
    Released: 25 February 2015
  6. "Avalanche"
    Released: 20 July 2015
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net9/10[1]
Metal Hammer DE6/7[2]
Metal Hammer UK (print)8/10[3]
Metal Injection9/10[4]
Terrorizer7.5/10[5]

War Eternal is the ninth studio album by Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, which was released first in Japan on 4 June 2014 by Century Media. It is the first Arch Enemy album in 15 years since Burning Bridges to feature a new line-up; Alissa White-Gluz took over on vocals after former long-time vocalist Angela Gossow stepped down from vocal duties to be the band's business manager.[6] Additionally, ex-Arsis guitarist Nick Cordle replaced Christopher Amott in 2012. Cordle ultimately left the band just before their European tour and was replaced by former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis.[7]

Background and development[edit]

On 3 March 2014, the band revealed the album's title War Eternal and the release date.[8]

On 17 March 2014, Angela Gossow released a statement announcing her departure from the group and welcoming her replacement, former vocalist of Canadian melodic death metal band The Agonist, Alissa White-Gluz. In the statement, she wrote that while she had enjoyed her time with the group, it was time for her to move on, be with her family and pursue other interests. Gossow did confirm that she would remain Arch Enemy's business manager, and would be "passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I’ve known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine – and now she’s getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001."[6]

White-Gluz also released a statement saying:

"I am very honoured and happy to announce a new chapter in my life and musical career. Wages of Sin was the first metal album I ever bought, and it was love at first listen. It is not often that you get a phone call from your favourite band asking you to join! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such amazingly talented musicians whom I also consider great friends. I look forward to being able to write and perform at a whole new level now with Arch Enemy! Music is forever, metal is limitless and this is only the beginning![9]

Artwork[edit]

The artwork for this album was created by Costin Chioreanu.[10] Chief songwriter, guitarist and band leader Michael Amott commented about the artwork:

"I was looking for a hand-drawn feel with a unique atmosphere, something that would complement the music that we’ve been working so hard on these last couple of years. In the end my choice fell upon Romanian artist Chioreanu Costin, whose work I’ve admired for some time. Costin really grasped my vision for the artwork and layout, he’s delivered some of the coolest artwork elements we've ever had with Arch Enemy![11]

Promotion[edit]

The first single and music video, "War Eternal", was released on 20 March 2014. The video was the first of three produced and directed by Patric Ullaeus and his Revolver Film Company.[12] A supporting tour of over 80 dates began in May 2014. The second music video and single was "As the Pages Burn". On 27 May, they released their third music video, "You Will Know My Name".[13] The fourth video, "No More Regrets", was released the same week as the album. A fifth music video for the track "Stolen Life" was released on 5 May 2015 which was the first to include Jeff Loomis on guitar. The track is almost identical to the album version, but it includes two extra solos recorded by Loomis. The sixth and last single was "Avalanche".

Accolades[edit]

At the 2014 Burrn! magazine awards, War Eternal won Best Album and the title track won Best Tune.[14]

Track listing[edit]

Standard Edition
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Tempore nihil sanat (Prelude in F Minor)" (Prelude)InstrumentalMichael Amott1:12
2."Never Forgive, Never Forget"AmottAmott, Nick Cordle3:44
3."War Eternal"AmottAmott, Cordle4:16
4."As the Pages Burn"Alissa White-GluzAmott4:01
5."No More Regrets"White-GluzAmott, Cordle4:06
6."You Will Know My Name"AmottAmott, Cordle4:37
7."Graveyard of Dreams" (Interlude)InstrumentalDaniel Erlandsson, Amott1:10
8."Stolen Life"AmottAmott3:00
9."Time Is Black"White-GluzAmott, Erlandsson5:24
10."On and On"White-GluzAmott, Cordle4:04
11."Avalanche"White-GluzAmott, Cordle, Erlandsson4:39
12."Down to Nothing"AmottAmott, Cordle3:48
13."Not Long for This World" (Occlude)InstrumentalAmott3:29
Total length:47:30
Digipak / Mediabook / 3xCD Artbook Deluxe
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Shadow on the Wall" (Mike Oldfield cover)Mike Oldfield3:03
Total length:50:33
Japanese Edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Breaking the Law" (Judas Priest cover)Glenn Tipton, Rob Halford, K.K. Downing2:20
Total length:49:50
3xCD Artbook Deluxe ("Seeds of War" Bonus Disc)
No.TitleLength
1."Never Forgive, Never Forget" (Demo 2013)3:44
2."No More Regrets" (Demo 2013)4:00
3."You Will Know My Name" (Demo 2013)4:15
4."On and On" (Demo 2013)4:02
5."As the Pages Burn" (Demo 2013)3:50
Total length:19:51
3xCD Artbook Deluxe (Instrumental Play-Through Bonus Disc & Guitar Tabs)
No.TitleLength
1."Never Forgive, Never Forget" (Instrumental Play-Through)3:47
2."War Eternal" (Instrumental Play-Through)4:18
3."As the Pages Burn" (Instrumental Play-Through)4:02
4."No More Regrets" (Instrumental Play-Through)4:07
5."You Will Know My Name" (Instrumental Play-Through)4:39
6."Stolen Life" (Instrumental Play-Through)3:00
7."Time Is Black" (Instrumental Play-Through)5:26
8."On and On" (Instrumental Play-Through)4:07
9."Avalanche" (Instrumental Play-Through)4:40
10."Down to Nothing" (Instrumental Play-Through)3:51
Total length:41:57

Personnel[edit]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[15] 13
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] 39
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] 43
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[18] 26
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[19] 38
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[20] 36
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 5
French Albums (SNEP)[22] 56
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[23] 9
Italian Albums (FIMI)[24] 89
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 40
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[26] 16
US Billboard 200[27] 44
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[28] 44
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[29] 5
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[30] 17
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[31] 11

Release history[edit]

Region Date Label Format
Japan 4 June 2014 Trooper Entertainment CD
Europe 9 June 2014 Century Media Records CD
US 10 June 2014 Century Media Records CD
Australia 13 June 2014 Century Media Records CD
Indonesia 8 March 2015 Zim Zum Entertainment Cassette

References[edit]

  1. ^ Van Horn, Jr., Ray (10 June 2014). "Arch Enemy 'War Eternal'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  2. ^ Riedl, Katrin (6 June 2014). "Arch Enemy War Eternal". Metal Hammer DE (in German). Axel Springer Mediahouse Berlin. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  3. ^ Rees, Adam (July 2014). "Swedish behemoths reveal a bold new front". Metal Hammer UK (print) (258). TeamRock: 86. ISSN 0955-1190.
  4. ^ Croteau, Justin (18 June 2014). "Album Review: ARCH ENEMY War Eternal". Metal Injection. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Arch Enemy - War Eternal Review". Terrorizer (249). Dark Arts. June 2014. ISSN 1350-6978.
  6. ^ a b "Surprising news from the Arch Enemy camp as it's been revealed that Angela Gossow has left the band. Find out who's replacing her inside". metalhammer.teamrock.com. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Jeff Loomis Joins Arch Enemy". jeffloomis.com. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  8. ^ AXL ROSENBERG (4 March 2014). "Arch Enemy Announce New Album, War Eternal". metalsuck.net. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  9. ^ Graham Hartmann (18 March 2014). "New Arch Enemy Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz Had 'Every Intention' of Continuing With the Agonist". loudwire.com. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  10. ^ "ARCH ENEMY reveals artwork, track-listing for 'War Eternal'". neufutur.com. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  11. ^ "ARCH ENEMY reveals artwork, track-listing for 'War Eternal'". neufutur.com. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  12. ^ "ARCH ENEMY present title track of upcoming album "War Eternal"!". archenemy.com. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  13. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Arch Enemy – You Will Know My Name". metalhammer.teamrock.com. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Instagram Post by archenemyofficial - Deskgram". deskgram.net. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Arch Enemy – War Eternal" (in German). Hung Medien.
  16. ^ "Ultratop.be – Arch Enemy – War Eternal" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Arch Enemy – War Eternal" (in French). Hung Medien.
  18. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 26.Týden 2014 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  19. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Arch Enemy – War Eternal". Hung Medien.
  20. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Arch Enemy – War Eternal" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  21. ^ "Arch Enemy: War Eternal" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  22. ^ "Lescharts.com – Arch Enemy – War Eternal". Hung Medien.
  23. ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
  24. ^ "Artisti – Classifica settimanale WK 24 (dal 09-06-2014 al 15-06-2014)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  25. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Arch Enemy – War Eternal". Hung Medien.
  26. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Arch Enemy – War Eternal". Hung Medien.
  27. ^ "Arch Enemy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Arch Enemy Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard.
  29. ^ "Arch Enemy Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  30. ^ "Arch Enemy Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  31. ^ "Arch Enemy Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard.
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