Review Summary: A massive step-up from the ill-fated 'Doomsday Machine', but keep hold of your classics.
'Doomsday Machine'- a subject of much debate, even amongst the most die-hard Arch Enemy fans. I remember buying mýself a copy in 2005, eagerly anticipating more of the same marvellous melo-death present on the previous recording by the band. What I found myself later listening to, as I sat by my CD player at the eve of the day, was quite a different kettle of fish. I was surprised, not just at the unusual sounds swirling about the room, but also at the choices Arch Enemy had made with it. By the final song I was frankly chewing nervously at the edge of my sleeve, praying desperately that, beyond the next monotonous riff or ill-advised drum fill, I would find something worthy of 'Anthems of Rebellion' (my all-time favourite AE album, just so you know, next to 'Wages of Sin'). To my deep annoyance, all the album seemed intent on doing was cheapening the band's legacy with unnescessarily commercial songs: and joining a half-dozen other records consigned to an eternity within my cabinet, destined never again to see the light of day. To be blunt, I despised it.
And so it was with a great sense of nervous apprehension that I wandered into HMV in search of the follow-up- 2007s 'Rise of the Tyrant'- in order to confirm my suspicions of Arch Enemy's newly founded sell-out status; I wanted to, quite desperately, reaffirm my faith in my cult band of old (well, of four years...). I found myself whispering silent oaths to God, asking him whether he could somehow prevent my second most loved group in the world from becoming just another mob of money-grabbers. When the deed was done, and I was sat at my study desk with the case open afore me, it was with a deep sigh of resignation that I set the stereo to play and began to listen to what I believe to be one of the most hideously over-done and monstrously commercial albums the band has released to date. And also one of their best.
'Rise of the Tyrant' is by no means a fantastic instant classic- far from it. But unlike it's ill-fated predecessor, it isn't utterly abysmal either. The songs are quite unlike the refined brutality exhibited on 'Anthems...'- they substitute the initial spark of the DM kick with something more subtle. Namely a concentration on melody, and a fetish for the shout-along choruses more reminiscent of a Manowar recording. This is not to say the tracks are unenjoyable to listen to. In fact, I was pleasantly shocked by the vast improvement the group had shown from their last outing. This collection of songs exhibited some pace and technicality in place of the turgid knuckle-grinding the Amott brothers had embraced previously. In terms of guitar work, the performances shown here are almost spotless: indeed, how could one expect any less of a pair of such talented axemen? The vocals too sound sharper, less produced than before, with Angela's more fitting primal scream replacing the attempts at growling. The whole 'feel' of the album is one of being precise and tight, of being more musically perfected.
The songs themselves- meh. For me, opinions on these tracks vary from downright hatred to almost complete adulation. AE here seem to be acting very eclectically, writing some real bangers that veritably leap out at you as well as a bunch of what is technically known as: total garbage. Hearing 'Blood On Your Hands' opening the record was like hearing the angelic chorus proclaiming a return to form- the fretwork is blistering, the crunch of the rhythm is as heavy as AE get, and the vocals are snarled in a beautifully aggressive manner. In short, I could see a space on 'Anthems...' for a track such as this. But then it's all brutally ruined by the inclusion of 'The Day You Died'- what in sweet heaven's name possessed Angela to write about anime?!? Indeed, it cannot be said that every track is amazing by any means. The album is unfortunately an exemplary case of inconsistency.
Despite the shortcomings above, there are some real moments to enjoy here, moments I found my feet tapping along with on my blue-grey rug, much to the intrigue of my wife! As afore said, 'Blood On Your Hands' is killer, whilst 'Revolution Begins', 'The Last Enemy', 'Night Falls Fast' and 'Rise of the Tyrant' all shine with reckless, relentless energy and crowd-pleasing potential. But a mixed bag this recording remains.
To finally conclude, I have to say, as a purist AE fan, that I sort of liked this album. Truth be told, it is a massive- yes, massive- step up from 'Doomsday Machine' in every sense of the word, but it cannot ever be classified as a classic. It's sadly too much of an up-and-down affair for that. However, if you should ever come across my home, and just happen to walk inside, you'll see a proud CD shelf on which 'Rise of the Tyrant' is nestled, basking in the light of my other most loved CD's.
