Artist: Arch Enemy
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 4/2/02 US
Average Rating: 4
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Title: Wages of Sin Artist: Arch Enemy Label: Century Media Release Date: 4/2/02 US |
There are currently 5 Reader Reviews of this album.
Average Rating: 4 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album |
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Submitted by Lord Shadow (8/12/02):
I can sum up this album in 2 words "Holy Shit"! I had been hearing about this band for some time, but never actually picked up one of their CD's. One day I told myself I would pick up the first thing I saw from them. Well, needless to say, I know what I have been missing. Luckily for me, the release I got has all their extras that only gets released in Japan. This is truly some sick brutal stuff. A truly outstanding production, and, what can I say for the musicianship, but, WOW! These guys (and gal) are definitely masters at their art. The riffing and swirling melody of the guitars constantly left my jaw hanging. Not good when your driving down the German autobahn. Daniel pounds the drums with fire and precision. Sharlee, well Sharlee is Sharlee. I think the real surprise is without having to say it, Angela Gassow. I can't recollect more brutal vocals coming from a woman. While I do enjoy Johan Liva's vocals on the other material that I heard, I think Angela's voice brings more venom and a peircing anger to the already acidicly infectious music. If you are a fan of melodic death metal ie: Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Soilwork, please do not hesitate to pick up this truly astounding release. I doubt you will be disappointed.
Submitted by douglas e heeren (7/21/02):
So what we have here is weak power-metal with a hot chick who can growl. If I want hot chicks I buy Chasey Lain porn movies. If I want to hear a chick growl I listen to the Yellow Machine CD's, now these chicks are hot and rock.
Submitted by Damien Boorman (7/21/02):
I've had Wages of Sin now for about two months and I still can't recommend this album highly enough to you people. Vocalist Angela Gossow replaces Johan for this release. At first I didn't really dig the whole "female screaming like she's on the rag" approach, but it has grown on me steadily and now she just sounds like any other vocalist in metal today. Brothers Michael and Christopher Amott are again in charge of all guitar duties and again deliver with some spectucular guitar acrobatics. There seems to be a natural unison between the two guitarists, both are able to successfully lead off the other, solo after solo after solo. Production is pretty good here, clean and crisp. I did think that the album was lacking in some power here and there, maybe they could have turned up the volume on the double kick or something? The songs are all tasteful and well realised, no filler here ladies and gentleman. Even the bonus track is of high quality, and is even probably one of my favourite tracks off the album. If you haven't already got this album, then don't consider yourself a metal fan. You are no longer one of us. This album truly flies the flag of metal and makes me forget that we live in the age of Linkin Park and Britney Spears.
Submitted by Philippe - HELLSTORM WEBZINE (4/1/02):
Si je vous reparle de cet album qui reste l'un des monuments du death mélodique et technique, c'est surtout en raison de la version européenne de la bête qui renvoie les pauvres japonais se coucher tant le groupe nous gates avec ce deuxième CD somptueux qui contient des reprises : Starbreaker (Priest), Acces High (the ultimate cover of Maiden!!!!!!) et les bonus tracks des versions japonaises. En cerise sur le gâteau on a le droit a deux clips en Quick Time : The immortal et Ravenous et un morceau bonus sur Wages of Sin, qui ne figure pas sur le pressage asiatique du groupe : Lament of a Mortal Souls qui est aussi bon que le reste. Bref voici le meilleur groupe extrême au monde qui sans être plus rapide ou technique que Morbid Angel, aussi black et brutal que Dark Funeral (aussi gore que Cannibal Corpse) ou plus Gothenburg qu'In Flames, vient d'accéder au throne des dieux de l'extrême avec ce joyaux a posséder dans votre CDthèque de métalleux, j'ai pas dit death métalleux car Arch Enemy possède la paire ultime des années 2000 en matière de gratte, j'ai nommé les frères Amott et ces derniers avec leur art de faire des solos qui tuent et des riffs bétons toucheront aussi les fans de heavy et de Yngwie. Arch Enemy rules!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Solomon (10/24/01):
I took the plunge and got this baby as an import, since a US domestic release seems to be hanging in purgatory. It was a bit more expensive than a usual record, but at least www.cdquest.com didn't screw me big like some of the larger Internet merchants. Money well spent, I have to say. I have to plead ignorance here, since I haven't heard a whole lot of Arch Enemy up to this point ("Dead Inside" kicks butt), but I doubt Wages of Sin will disappoint many people, and the band provides the kind of melodic death fans have come to expect.Wages of Sin was recorded at Studio Fredman (no kidding!), which pretty well tells you the sound is going to be killer. The musicianship, of course, is firmly represented by the twin-axe dueling of Michael and Christopher Amott and the relentless, full-throttle double-bass attack of skin-meister Daniel Erlandsson. The real surprise here is new vocalist Angela Gossow. Yep, it's a woman. On top of that, Arch Enemy has dispensed with any clean vocals for this release, so what you hear is a whole boatload of testosterone-fueled throat-crunching spewing forth from an estrogen-bearing Teutonic goddess. Isn't that a creative way of putting it? I can't say I was prejudiced before delving into this record. I know there had to be some females out there who could do this, and I know Tokiko Shimamoto from Shadow can pull it off, but when you hear it, you still have to say, "I can't believe this is a chick." Bravo, sister!
The music carries the obvious mark of Swedish creativity, that down-tuned combination of violent death and sweet melody. This is what makes this type of music so special, and Wages of Sin provides this along with some added heaviness and a general "rock" vibe that keeps things interesting. Aside from faster, angrier material like "Enemy Within" and "Burning Angel," Arch Enemy can throw in a few uptempo surprises, like the upbeat, melodic chorus to "Heart of Darkness," the bright rock of "Shadows and Dust," and the stoner-ish "Behind The Smile." Always a sucker for down-and-dirty riffs, my favorite spots include the Nevermore-styled dissonant crunch in "The First Deadly Sin" and the driving, Halford-ish opening to "Dead Bury Their Dead." "Savage Messiah," however, takes the cake, as it slows the speed down and buries you under the weight of a Brontosaurus-sized verse part. Buy it and smile.
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