Album Review: Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty (Century Media)

‘Blood Dynasty’ is the brand-new album from extreme metal legends Arch Enemy. It will be released on March 28th, 2025, via Century Media Records.

A band who needs no introduction, Arch Enemy have been setting extreme metal trends and delivering scathing intensity for many years now. Yet, they’ve not had a consistency like they’ve had in recent times since (arguably), the Burning Bridges (1999) / Wages of Sin (2001) / Anthems of Rebellion (2003) trilogy. Modern Arch Enemy is so comfortable, so confident, and so committed to delivering the best of their riff-focused heavy anthemic sound.

Which is a fair summation of this new album. It’s Arch Enemy as we all know and love them. While there aren’t any boundaries being pushed here as far as extreme metal goes, Arch Enemy’s personal experimentation and refinement of certain aspects of their sound is notable. Heck, the second track on the album ‘Illuminate the Path’ is the perfect early showcase of this as it’s one of the most accessible modern Arch Enemy tracks heard in some time. Alissa White-Gluz’s clean singing on this track is quite something, working so well with the heavy riffs and guttural moments.

However, it’s a track surrounded by two absolute metal beasts in the form of Dream Stealer and March of the Miscreants. Both tracks are ferocious, but both are equally infectious, just in different ways. The former, it’s all about riffs. The latter, the thump of the drums, the dramatic melodic touches, and the cacophony of voices that rise in the chorus. Head banging to both is a guarantee, but not exclusive to those tracks either.

From tumultuous and choppy rhythms with A Million Suns, to frenzied death metal intensity with Don’t Look Down, to the mellow Presage, which is an intro for the punchy and melodically elaborate title track. This is another stunning example of Arch Enemy’s comfortability, joyfully pushing forward a more anthemic style while refusing to compromise on heaviness. It’s dark and it’s devilish, but it gets stuck in the mind, especially the chorus and the guitar solo.

You may have thought it interesting that it was a track with some ‘old-school’ metal vibes, but hold on, because Paper Tiger is next, and this is Arch Enemy channelling the likes of Judas Priest in a delightful way. It’s a great example of the band having fun, while also keeping the heavy vibes front and centre. Head banging and horn throwing fun.

There’s a more serious tone to the following Vivre Libre though as Arch Enemy test the resolve of long-term listeners with one of their most melodic tracks ever. Hell, it’s a ballad, and that is unexpected. It is wonderful though, and while it may not be for everyone, it’s such a stylish listen that it’s hard to not admire it.

The heavy is back with aplomb on the penultimate track, The Pendulum, which can certainly be called a more ‘traditional’ Arch Enemy track. You should know what that means by now, raucous riffing, big hooks, savage vocals, and a decent amount of flair. Leading to a finale that blends vast melodies with straight-forward death metal intensity. A track that, once it gets going, has an old-school vibe courtesy of the riffs, with the vocals giving it a more modern feel. Combined, and with vibrant energy, it’s a solid closing track.

Overall, great stuff from Arch Enemy, and while it’s not going to set the world alight, it’s a release that proves they are one of metal’s finest.

Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty Track Listing:

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

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