Issue 14 2009

Some of you might be aware that over the break there were some great concerts announced. The original poster boy for controversy, Alice Cooper is back in NZ playing at the ASB Theatre on September the 4th, and if you have the money you should definitely go. I got to see him live last year and Cooper definitely knows how to put on a live show, displaying every bit of his 30 plus years experience. You will not be disappointed.
I’m still uncertain if I will be attending the Alice Cooper concert, but one I will definitely be going to is Arch Enemy on November 10. Playing in NZ for the first time Arch Enemy is a band to skip exam revision for.
For those unfamiliar with Arch Enemy and the type of music they play, here’s a little run down. Arch Enemy formed in 1996 in Gothenburg, Sweden and play a type of metal referred to as ‘Melodic Death Metal’ or ‘Swedish/Gothenburg Death Metal’ depending on who you ask. This genre is generally described as combining the melody of NWOBH with the intensity of death metal. If you’re one who is familiar with European metal, you’ll know that Gothenburg is the home of some of the most successful heavy metal bands going around at the moment. Because of Gothenburg’s seeming ability to leak good metal bands out of every crack in the pavement, it takes a lot to be considered among the best to come out of that city.
Arch Enemy had a head start though in the form of guitarist Michael Amott, former member of legendary Grindcore act Carcass. After fleshing out the rest of the band with vocalist John Liiva, drummer Daniel Erlandsson, bassist Sharleen D’Angelo and brother Christopher Amott as a second guitarist, the band turned out three albums in rather quick succession. But in 2000, having gained popularity in Europe and America, John Liiva was asked to quit the band by Michael Amott, effectively firing him. Amott desired a more “dynamic frontman” and Liiva was just not living up to that expectation. Enter Angela Gossow, now considered to have more balls than most guys because of her ability to perform harsh vocals so well that first time listeners are left thinking she’s a guy. Youtube it if you don’t believe me.
With the addition of Gossow, Arch Enemy have released four more albums and gained even more success and recognition. They are without doubt now one of the heavy weights of European metal.
As I have to have this in for printing before tickets go on sale on Monday the 13th, I am unsure as to how much tickets will cost. But I’d say factor in around $80 into your budget based on previous similar concerts. Not only is this band worth skipping exam revision for, they’re also worth eating only noodles for a week.

PS. I know I skipped the early bassist and drummer, but they were in the band less than a year, they don’t really count.