#Christopher Amott

[astralbondpro]

Arch Enemy // We Will Rise

[siblings-in-music-bracket]

Match 10 (Round 1)

[stoneoferech]

Dark Tranquillity "Moment"

[thisnoise]

It's burning from the inside out.

[metalshockfinland]

TOMY LAISTO Releases Melancholic Acoustic Solo Album "Penumbra", Out Now

Photography: Jan Rucidlo / Jasual Audiovisual Tomy Laisto is a guitarist known from Finnish bands as Insomnium, Pain Confessor, Mors Principium Est, Omnium Gatherum and Arc Spectra. His debut solo album “Penumbra” is released today October 4th via Inverse Records. The album features many well known artists such as Derek Sherinian (Ex-Dream Theater), Christopher Amott (Arch Enemy, Dark…

[crmsndragonwngss]

Can you share more of the Arch Enemy drama? Or did I miss a post you already did?

Oh no this happened a while back, long before I changed the direction of this blog. But sure, I’d be happy to! And I'm sorry this took so long! I wanted to get all my facts straight and cite all my sources, and then my brother called and I talked to him for like an hour lol

Anyway, here's a very lengthy rundown under the cut!

First, it’s fair to note that Jeff’s split with Arch Enemy in 2023 was amicable and he only had wonderful things to say about them. When the real drama went down with the photographer happened in 2018, he said absolutely nothing, which idk I think that speaks volumes. Jeff Loomis isn’t one to rock the boat and never really has been, so this wasn’t a surprising reaction at all. I’d love to hear his thoughts on it, but that will never happen. I'm not sure about whether the rest of the band weighed in on the controversy. I don't follow any of them and never have.

But anyway, basically what happened with Jeff was Michael Amott, founder, guitarist, and songwriter for Arch Enemy, essentially froze him out of the songwriting process. Jeff had expressed in 2018 that he had lots of ideas he really wanted to pitch to the band, but was always met with a firm pass because supposedly none of his ideas fit with the style Arch Enemy was known for. He went on to say that he had written several songs for Will to Power (2017), but they didn’t make it on the record, again because of style, but that he did get to do some solos that time around, which made him happy. He didn't get to write anything for Deceivers (2022) either.

Like imagine hiring Jeff Loomis, the lead guitarist and songwriter of Nevermore, one of the greatest bands that ever fucking existed, and then never giving him a chance to actually be Jeff Loomis. That’s not a coincidence. Alissa White-Gluz even said that she wanted to work with Jeff in her upcoming solo project, which has yet to happen because she's been too busy with Arch Enemy. She even noted in 2015, a year after Loomis joined the band, how good the band's chemistry is on stage, despite, y'know, the whole not allowing him to write anything part.

Now don’t get me wrong, Michael Amott is a genius and a legend in his own right, but holy shit, you call yourself the man’s friend and then let him stagnate in the band you asked him to join? The fuck? Also note that Christopher Amott and Nick Cordle were both credited as songwriters in albums they appeared on. Loomis is the only guitarist in their personnel history to only have one credit next to his name (not including a temporary touring guitarist). I guess we'll see how they credit Loomis's replacement, Joey Concepcion (who is Christopher Amott's... I guess you could say protégé, so do with that information what you will).

Also, as an aside, Michael Amott has a notoriously toxic outlook on the metal scene. He's stated that he doesn't listen to current metal, his reasoning being some better-than-you if you've heard it once you've heard it all bullshit. He's also said that he thinks metal should stay underground, stating that, "this is an alternative to the mainstream; it's an alternative to all that very premeditated, cynical approach to music. I mean, this is something that's from the heart and soul, and I want it to stay that way." Y'know, implying that only underground music can possibly be from the heart and soul, despite Arch Enemy themselves being one of the most mainstream death metal bands in the industry (which Blabbermouth hammered home in the lines below that particular quote). The dude has always read as an asshole to me, but that's just my opinion.

Now on to the meat and potatoes of why I strongly dislike Arch Enemy, which is what I have a feeling you're actually asking about. This is where the band outed itself as a vitriolic hit team, and the entire reason I will never listen to their music again. As a photographer myself who has had my work exploited because the thieves didn't value or respect my copyright, this hit real close to home for me, so I admit that I may have taken and continue to take this a little more personally than perhaps I should, but I digress.

The controversy centers around the tremendously talented J. Salmeron, a Dutch concert photographer and journalist for Metal Blast Magazine. He's also an attorney, and is no stranger to issuing take down notices. Essentially, one of his photos was reposted by Thunderball Clothing, who designed Alissa White-Gluz's stage outfit, in a misguided effort to use the image as advertisement. They reposted it from Alissa's instagram, who had reposted it from Metal Blast. Salmeron, and indeed many togs who do this sort of work, often allow artists to repost pictures of themselves without asking for permission first. It's... really not polite to do that, but it's usually not commercial in nature so most folks'll let it slide. People often wrongly assume that they are allowed to use photos of themselves for free and for whatever they want just because they're in it, and metal frontwomen are no exception. The photographer is the sole copyright owner of any image they take, full stop. If you wish to use a picture of yourself that a photographer took, you'll usually have to pay for it.

So Salmeron sent the clothing company a take down notice that you can read in full here, but this is the part that pissed everybody off:

In general, I charge a fee of at least €500 (five hundred Euro) to businesses that have posted my work in an unauthorized manner. In this case, however, I would be willing to forget about this problem and let you keep up the above post in exchange for a donation of €100 (one hundred Euro) to the Dutch Cancer Foundation. This is an organization that seeks to benefit cancer research as well as improve the quality of life of cancer patients. I can send you a link for the donation (which would be direct to the foundation, not through me) if you accept this method of payment.

Instead of responding to the take down notice, the designer of the clothing company decided to email Angela Gassow, former frontwoman and current manager of Arch Enemy, accusing him of threatening her. I really, really recommend reading Salmeron's article, because he gives a brief once over of what exactly is and is not legal regarding photography copyright, as well as highlighting the truly shitty and grossly exploitative behavior many musicians aim at photographers, who are fellow artists and who are just as essential to the music industry as actual musicians are. Also, keep in mind that the designer did apologize to Salmeron. She admitted to her mistake and attempted to rectify the situation, which Salmeron privately and later publicly accepted in an effort to shield her from a lot of really undeserved hate overzealous supporters lobbed her way. This hate was NOT a result of Salmeron's article, it was a result of Angela and Alissa straight up lying about everything.

Long story short, Salmeron ended up getting banned from all future Arch Enemy concerts for life, and so did his publication. Then Angela and Alissa both attempted to slander him all over the industry by copying in the label reps and booking agents they work with, whom Angela promised would alert promoters to the falsehoods she invented to demonize him in a blatant attempt to destroy his career. She ended up destroying the clothing designer's career instead, but she'd never admit to that. The best part? This isn't even the first time this has happened. Another Dutch concert photojournalist, Anouk Timmerman, was blacklisted from shooting Arch Enemy shows for life in 2009 after she asked Angela Gassow to take her photos off of her personal website, lest she be invoiced 75,000 euros per photo, for a total of eight photos.

So yeah, they're just really toxic, shitty people and I'm glad Jeff Loomis finally decided to ditch 'em lol

[mirandamckenni1]

ARCH ENEMY - Reason To Believe (OFFICIAL VIDEO) ARCH ENEMY - Reason To Believe (OFFICIAL VIDEO). Taken from the album "Will To Power", out September 8th, 2017 Stream, Purchase here: https://ift.tt/MjB0Yg9 “Re-Issue 2023“ catalogue-campaign: https://ift.tt/fpG7yFw Also featured on "Reason To Believe" 7Inch including the cover version of "Shout" (Tears for Fears). Order now: https://ift.tt/aqmXe2f Follow Arch Enemy: https://ift.tt/RhQWin0 https://ift.tt/pvhJx4V https://www.youtube.com/user/archenemyofficial https://twitter.com/archenemymetal Directed by Patric Ullaeus Music: Michael Amott/Christopher Amott Lyrics: Michael Amott ► Lyrics ◄ "Reason To Believe" There’s a scar on your heart But your journey’s just begun A distant light that’s worth the fight The story’s far from done Stop hurting yourself Those tired sores have nothing more to bleed Self hatred I know it well It’s dragging you down Listen to me now There’s a reason to believe again There’s a reason to go on Always keep on fighting, my friend There’s a reason to believe They don’t understand you And they hate what they don’t understand You are more than they’ll ever know Like sand through your fingers Don’t let your life slip away This prison of glass can’t hold you back no more --- #ArchEnemy #ReasonToBelieve #WillToPower via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kJdWJXxF3Y

[ricmlm]

Christopher Amott: Solo from "Nothing is Nothing" | Behind The Riff | Ja...

[jrocksmetalzone]

18 YEARS AGO TODAY (July 26, 2005) ARCH ENEMY RELEASED THEIR 6TH STUDIO ALBUM 'DOOMSDAY MACHINE'.

Did you know?

Christopher Amott left the band shortly after recording the album in July 2005 but rejoined 2 years later for the songwriting sessions for Rise of the Tyrant.

Which is your favorite track?

Jrocksmetalzone.com

#TodayInMetalHistory #archenemy #MELODICDEATHMETAL #AngelaGossow

[metalsongoftheday]

Wednesday, November 3: Arch Enemy, “Macthkampf”

Arch Enemy had been steadily growing their global fanbase in the years since Angela Gossow took over on vocals, and Doomsday Machine was a logical refinement of Anthems of Rebellion’s sonic approach. “Machtkampf” could’ve appeared on that record, though its appearance as the penultimate track on the follow-up made similar sense. The Arch Enemy sound hadn’t totally become formula yet, so the combination of the Amott brothers’ crunchy and melodic riffing and soloing with Daniel Erlandsson’s precise and relentless drumming and Gossow’s shrieking still felt like a force to be reckoned with. And while Michael Amott’s lyrics still sounded like a bunch of random phrases strung together, there was a certain charm to their attempts to sound “rebellious” and “metal”.  For all of the nonsense she had to endure, Gossow fit this iteration of Arch Enemy perfectly and her style seamlessly blended in with the band’s melodeath.  And many others felt the same way, since Doomsday Machine continued the group’s ascent around the world.

[float-me-now]

Thank you for saving my 2020, absolute metal GODS.

🖤 🤘 🖤

[ghostcultmagazine]

PODCAST: Episode 130: Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity on Moment We caught up with Mikael Stanne of Melodic Death Metal legends Dark Tranquillity. The bands’ new album Moment is out now via Century Media Records.

[voice-of-anarchy]

Black Earth 20 Years of Dark Insanity - Live in Japan 2016

Setlist:

1. Black Earth 2. The Immortal 3. Dead Inside 4. Pilgrim 5. Sinister Mephisto 6. Diva Satanica 7. Tears of the Dead 8. Let the Killing Begin 9. Angelclaw 10. MCMXCVI 11. Bury Me An Angel 12. Dark Insanity 13. Eureka 14. Idolatress 15. Cosmic Retribution 16. Demoniality 17. Transmigration Macabre 18. Time Capsule 19. Fields Of Desolation 20. Beast Of Man 21. Silverwing 22. Bridge Of Destiny 23. Vox Stellarum

[memory-construct]

Dark Tranquillity from yesterday’s event. It was such a fucking blast! The set list couldn’t have been any better and Mikael Stanne’s interaction with the crowd was unbelievable, to the point where he came down from the stage and sang amongst us! A night to fucking remember!

[metalshockfinland]

EONIAN Release Cover of ABBA's 'Lay All Your Love On Me', Feat. Christopher Amott from Dark Tranquillity

EONIAN Release Cover of ABBA’s ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’, Feat. Christopher Amott from Dark Tranquillity

Have you ever imagined what ABBA would sound like if they played Symphonic Death Metal? Well, listen below to EONIAN‘s new cover and find out for yourself! Eonian is an international symphonic death metal collective assembled in 2020 by Spanish, Manhattan-based guitarist Jaume Antuñano. “The Nomad”, Eonian’s debut EP was released in 2021 and featured 11 guest musicians from all over the world.…