Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz: 5 Albums That Made Me | Page 2 | Revolver

Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz: 5 Albums That Made Me

From ska-punk and grunge to epic prog metal
archenemy_alissawhitegluz_credit_doyle.jpg, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein
Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz
photograph by Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein

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For the last quarter-century, Arch Enemy have been making some of the most crushing and catchy melodeath in the genre's history. The Swedish titans have two all-star axmen in their ranks — founder Michael Amott and former Nevermore shredder Jeff Loomis, who joined in 2014 — but the band's unique flair comes courtesy of singer Alissa White-Gluz, who took over for Angela Gossow eight years back and has carried the vets into a bold new phase of their career.

Although her screams are powerful enough to melt the hairs off your back, White-Gluz is also a venerable clean singer with an emotive register. Arch Enemy's forthcoming album, Deceivers — the band's first in five years — adds a multitude of fresh dimensions to the group's husky death-metal assault, from the earth-ripping chorus of "House of Mirrors" to her misty cleans in the ethereal bridge of "Handshake With Hell."

That said, when we asked White-Gluz to choose the five albums that had the biggest impact on her, we didn't expect to see ska-punk and grunge mixed in with epic prog metal. Then again, one of White-Gluz's powers is her knack for keeping fans on their toes. See the records that got her on her own two feet below.

Chris Cornell — Euphoria Mourning

This album is really interesting from start to finish. It allowed me to see Chris Cornell in an entirely new light. I have always been a huge fan of Soundgarden and it was exciting to hear him express a different side. The songs are all well-written and captivating. It has largely inspired me to be unrestricted when writing my solo material — not try to meet any precedent — and instead just do whatever I want.

No Doubt — Tragic Kingdom

This album dropped when I was just 10 years old, but I was immediately drawn to Gwen Stefani's unique vocal style, wild vibrato and awesome fashion sense. I started my own band only a few years after that and liked the idea of being feminine, weird and strong at the same time. I guess I was already like that, and that's why I related to the album so much.

The Distillers — Coral Fang

Similarly to No Doubt, an epic frontwoman caught my attention and I love all the albums by the Distillers. Brody Dalle embodies everything I loved — and still love — about punk and metal. Her voice has the perfect amount of natural grit and aggression, and her style and persona are the ultimate in "I don't give a fuck." We've actually become friends now, and I almost cry every time I see them perform. I really get giddy.

3 — The End Is Begun

I love this album. It is still so pleasant to listen to. A great vocalist can draw my attention almost anywhere and in this case, the musicality and writing is just incredibly cool. The moods and sounds explored in this album have definitely become a part of my palette when songwriting.

Strapping Young Lad — Alien

I really love all the albums by SYL. Perfect blend of melody and aggression and insanity, in my opinion. The production is also really unique on this album — it really requires good speakers to fully digest. This was the soundtrack to many long days of commuting between school, my job and band practice. I recently got to sing on a song with Devin Townsend [on Me and That Man's "Goodbye"], so that was a life goal accomplishment for me!