Review Summary: Lack of soul pull this one down, unfortunately.
Arch Enemy's most critical record suffered lack of soul and feelings. War Eternal could be a good record. There is nothing wrong with Alissa's vocals and her power. Actually, I like her. Solid live performances and in studio action as well. But, I believe Arch Enemy is suffering lack of soul since Wages of Sin. That record for them was a new beginning, an unusual beginning and fresh sound. Angela's arrival was a huge deal for them and metal world also. And they did a great job on that record. Even so I think that Doomsday Machine is a great record, I didn't feel the emotions that I felt when I was listening Wages of Sin.
War Eternal's goal was to be a catchy album. But when you have some melody and add that melody some tight riffs, that doesn't mean that you have a catchy record in your hand. War Eternal sounds all the same. Same tunes, same vocal melodies over and over again an it never ends somewhere. In fact where it is end, the song called Not Long For This World, feels incomplete and unnecessary. And because that facts, the record we have in our hands is just an average one. Alissa did her best, I believe that one for sure. And I'm not dissappointed by her. In fact, I friggin' love the title track and her contribution on that track is huge. I can take this a step further and say; the title track is one of my favorite Arch Enemy tracks. "Catchy melody-tight riff-powerful vocals formula" is working great on that one. And most importantly; that song has a soul, if you ask me. If the rest of the album could be that good, Arch Enemy would have been recorded something belong right next to Stigmata and Burning Bridges.
Songs like As the Pages Burn and Time is Black has some spark for their own. Not enough to make the rest of the record shine but totally acceptable songs. Production is also not a part that I'm complaining about. It contribute nothing to the soul of the record but at least it doesn't bother your ears. You can sit and listen this one front to back without complaining about production. That's why I don't believe War Eternal is their worst record. Could be better, for God sake it could be worse. If you have a wide melodeath playlist, you can add some of this songs on that one but I can assure you that you will forget about the rest of it pretty soon. I recommended some solid melodeath records, feel free to check them out if you want a full record experience.
Recommended tracks:
War Eternal
No More Regrets
You Will Know My Name
