Arch Enemy – Tyrants of The Rising Sun

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Century Media
Produced by Paul B. Smith / Andy Sneap

This is Arch Enemy’s second live recording since they recruited front-woman Angela Gossow in 2001, with the first, Live Apocalypse, only having been released in 2006, between the Doomsday Machine (2005) and Rise of The Tyrant (2007) albums, and if they record a third, it’s hard to imagine it being better than this.

Everything about both of these products (DVD and double CD) is flawless, but nothing more so than the sound quality. The mix on this is probably one of the best live recording mixes ever to be released, unsurprisingly courtesy of Andy Sneap, and it alone is enough to make this an enthralling listen to metal fans who aren’t even specifically Arch Enemy fans.

Musically, despite the death metal vocals, Arch Enemy are first and foremost a true metal band. In the same way as the likes of Lamb of God, Nevermore and Killswitch Engage, their style is one of massively heavy, technical riffs and huge guitar solos, and this recording is so good, any fan should be able to enjoy pure metal played perfectly.

Enjoyment beyond that probably still comes down to being an Arch Enemy fan, and they really should be ecstatic with this release. Along with the faultless sound quality, the video editing, clarity and camera-work is superb. No MTV-style editing (too fast, too much camera movement), excellent colour definition and steady cameras after the first few minutes, which spend too long on the wide angles from the back of the reasonably small Tokyo Forum. Band and crowd alike seem as enthusiastic as they can be, and some of the playing, particularly from guitarist brothers Michael and Christopher Amott, is at times incredible.

Tyrants of The Rising Sun is as perfect as a live release gets, and above that it has the very real potential to convert listeners, such is the quality of what’s on offer. Breathtaking, to say the least.

“ incredible ”

Tracklist:
CD 1 – Intro/Blood On Your Hands / Ravenous / Taking Back My Soul / Dead Eyes See No Future / Dark Insanity / Day You Died / Christopher Amott solo / Silverwing / Night Falls Fast / Daniel Erlandsson solo
CD 2 – Burning Angel / Michael Amott solo (incl. Intermezzo Liberte) / Dead Bury Their Dead / Vultures / Enemy Within / Snowbound / Shadows And Dust / Nemesis / We Will Rise / Fields of Desolation / Credits
DVD – Intro / Blood On Your Hands / Ravenous / Taking Back My Soul / Dead Eyes See No Future / Dark Insanity / Day You Died / Christopher Amott solo / Silverwing / Night Falls Fast / Daniel Erlandsson solo / Burning Angel / Michael Amott solo / Intermezzo Liberte / Dead Bury Their Dead / Vultures / Enemy Within / Snowbound / Shadows And Dust / Nemesis / We Will Rise / Fields of Desolation / Outro
DVD Special Features: The Road To Japan / Revolution Begins (Original music video) / Revolution Begins (band performance music video) / I Will Live Again (music video)

Photo(s): Masa Noda

Written by Andy Lye
More: Black/Death Metal, Live Albums, Live DVDs, Arch Enemy