Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty
Review by: Blake Mossey
Review Score: 8.5
For nearly 30 years, Arch Enemy has been a relentless force in metal. Formed in 1995 by Swedish guitar master Michael Amott, the band has never wavered in intensity, continuing to rise in both power and popularity. In 2025, they unleash Blood Dynasty, their 12th studio album, delivering another masterclass in precision and brutality. Still at the peak of their game, Arch Enemy proves once again why they remain one of metal’s most dominant and uncompromising acts.
I’ve been a Arch Enemy fan since Wages of Sin dropped in 2002. Blood Dynasty marks their fourth album with Alissa on vocals. Being old school, I avoided the singles and videos before diving into this album. I prefer to experience the full record as a whole—it’s the only way to truly absorb and appreciate it.
This is hands down my favorite Arch Enemy album cover. The artwork is a grim, gothic depiction of a royal family, but instead of elegance, they’re rotting, skeletal, and downright demonic. Crowns rest on decayed skulls, military uniforms drape over monstrous figures, and some even have horns or hollow, soulless eyes. At the bottom, a river of blood churns with severed hands grasping desperately, while a severed head drifts among the chaos. It’s pure nightmare fuel. The whole piece screams corruption, decay, and power—perfectly aligning with Arch Enemy’s intense, politically charged brand of melodic death metal. I think back to my early days of searching for metal albums at record stores and If I would of came across this cover I would of surely said to myself. “This must sound awesome”!
The album launches with the intensity one would expect from an Arch Enemy opener. Dream Stealer begins with a brief instrumental introduction before Alissa White-Gluz unleashes one of her signature, ear-piercing screams, signaling the arrival of the full, crushing heaviness. It’s a powerful and explosive start, setting the tone for what’s to come.
The second track, Illuminate the Path, delivers another heavy, stomping assault but incorporates clean vocals—a technique the band has experimented with on their last two albums. While it’s not my personal preference, there’s no denying that Alissa White-Gluz has an impressive clean singing voice, and the band is making the most of it.
March of the Miscreants, presents a formidable contender for the album’s most intense composition. Characterized by a robust percussive introduction, the track maintains a consistently aggressive vocal performance by Alissa White-Gluz. A deliberate tempo reduction in the central section provides a transitional bridge to intricate and technically demanding guitar solos.
Don’t Look Down exemplifies Arch Enemy’s signature thematic exploration of self-empowerment and resilience. Paper Tiger showcases the band’s proficiency in utilizing guitar harmonics to establish a compelling melodic foundation. The track further features driving, galloping riffs, solidifying its place as a quintessential Arch Enemy composition.
Vivre Libre, positioned in the album’s latter half, is a cover version of a composition originally performed by the French hard rock/metal band Blaspheme. This track presents several distinct attributes. The incorporation of French lyrics introduces a notable linguistic departure, while the vocal delivery deviates from the band’s typical stylistic approach. Alissa White-Gluz, recognized for her extensive vocal capabilities, demonstrates her proficiency in clean vocal execution. Vivre Libre serves as a showcase for this particular aspect of her vocal talent.
The album concludes with two further high-intensity compositions: The Pendulum and the concluding track, Liars and Thieves, which exhibits a particularly forceful sonic character.
This release maintains Arch Enemy’s established standard of excellence. While its appeal may primarily resonate with the band’s existing fanbase, it reaffirms their consistent quality. The musicianship, notably the guitar work of Michael Amott, remains of exceptional caliber, reinforcing his position as a prominent figure in the metal genre.
Arch Enemy is scheduled to embark on a tour in the latter part of the year.
Line Up:
Michael Amott – Guitar
Daniel Erlandsson – Drums
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Alissa White-Gluz – Vocals
Joey Concepcion – Guitar
Tracklist:
01. Dream Stealer 4:30
02. Illuminate the Path 4:49
03. March of the Miscreants 4:50
04. A Million Suns 3:46
05. Dont Look Down 4:08
06. Presage 0:48
07. Blood Dynasty 3:51
08. Paper Tiger 3:57
09. Vivre Libre 4:07
10. The Pendulum 3:43
11. Liars Thieves 4:21