Customer Reviews

Khaos Legions

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Khaos Legions, the newest Arch Enemy album at this time of writing, is not their best work, nor is it their worst (there is no such thing as a "bad" AE album, but I've found Anthems of Rebellion to be their weakest overall). I'm just going to do a by-the-points review here:

1. Angela's vocals - sounds like the vocal mixing/enhancing on "Doomsday Machine." No complaints here.
2. Sound/production - masterful. It's loud, crystal clear, and you can hear every little nuance. Production is an A+.
3. Unfortunately, the lyric material is nothing new. Didn't we already gloss over the whole rebellion/resistance/revolt theme on "Anthems of Rebellion?" Maybe so, but here, it's supported with heavier, better music than AoR. The theme gets tiring after a while though, especially when it's just not an interesting subject for metal music anymore. I've sworn off Otep after "Smash the Control Machine" because of the same, boring material...and now AE has to have two albums with the same themes? We need to hear something new, guys. Please.
4. Riff-wise, the Amott brothers are seriously out of ideas. Listening to the whole album, I've heard at least 4-5 major riff passages that directly ripped off older AE riffs. One of the biggest offenders is the intro to "Cult of Chaos" - right up to the break into heaviness, it sounds almost exactly like the intro to "Nemesis" of the Doomsday Machine album. A second offender is one section in "No Gods, No Masters," which sounds like it was ripped directly from "Revolution Begins" off of the Rise of the Tyrant album. For shame! Otherwise, you're going to hear some very familiar dual-guitar work and the signature Amott guitar riffs. There is also a considerable amount of absolute shredding, which is never unwelcome.
5. There is at least one new piece of the overall sound that I haven't heard with Angela-era Arch Enemy, and that is blast-beats. They show up a few times throughout the album, but they never become obnoxious.

Overall, this AE album is quite certainly a solid entry into their album line-up, but nothing that's going to transcend the metal scene as we know it. The guitar work is familiar, Angela's vocals are still going strong, the music and its production/engineering is fantastic, BUT theme-wise, it gets tiring quickly and the riffs often borrow from older songs. I do have to say though, that it does dominate over a good many metal albums released in the mainstream today.

Arch Enemy has always been at their best when they realize and play off of the contrast of the melodic genius of Michael Amott against the demonic growling of Angela Gossow.Their very best tracks over the years, 'Burning Angel', 'Dead Eyes See No Future' etc have always highlighted that dynamic tension. Kaos Legions does contain some great songs, especially 'No Gods, No Masters', and 'Blood Red Cross' which again are marked by that contrast of melodic genius and white hot brutality.
However the downside of this album is that there simply aren't enough songs like that. Too much filler. The downside of this album is captured and demonstrated in the entirety of Disc II where it seems that Michael either was not present or phones in his lines. Consequently that dynamic and exciting interplay simply isn't there on far too much of the album. What you are left with by that absence is nothing more than you could hear at your local heavy metal bar. And Arch Enemy are far more than that. I am actually a bit amazed that a group as accomplished as this doesn't realize what the factors are that make them so special and play more to those strengths.

I love all death metal genres and subgenres and had never listened to Arch Enemy, I was focused on heavier things like grindcore and tech death and had always preferred the original melodic death bands like In Flames, Carcass, and At the Gates to newer bands like Darkest hour or Arch Enemy. I was fully aware that Mike Amott played guitar, with his brother, and that *GASP* the band was fronted by a lady, but I just didn't feel the urgency to give up listening to Entombed, yet. Well after exhausting all the old bands and making it back to bands that I initially shied away from, I found myself staring at the new Arch Enemy album at Best Buy for $5.99 and couldn't in good conscience turn it down, and boy am I glad! This is probably the closest thing I've ever heard to Heartwork era Carcass. Angela Gossow is a dead ringer for Jeff Walker and her snarling rasp and growling roars are comparable to any number of frontmen throughout death metal. The music is riff driven mid-to-fast-paced, melodic death metal, with a modern American flourish for color. It's a less lazy Amon Amarth, trading blows with Arsis and Carcass. Songs have their own identity and what seems simple or chorus driven, is after repeated listening, ingrained in your brain! There is also some real heavy stuff, blast beats, razor sharp leads, and Gossow's killer vocals. In short this album is very good, and I will make it a point to go over their entire back catalog if this is the kind of super punchy death metal surprise I have in store for me!

Khaos Legions is the latest offering from Swedish melodic death metal masters Arch Enemy. They're (deservedly) one of the most popular bands in metal, and they're also one of the most consistent, serving up an unbroken string of killer melodic death metal albums since the `90s. Khaos Legions is the band's eighth studio album, and it does not disappoint.

Khaos Legions doesn't diverge too much from the signature Arch Enemy sound, which is, essentially, the signature Swedish melodic death metal sound. You have the usual balance between neck-snapping rhythms, thrashing riffs and infectious melodies, plus of course the powerful harsh vocals of screamer Angela Gossow. As always, there are songs that are undeniably death metal and others that aside from the vocals could pass as power metal songs. Musically, Khaos Legions is a natural extension of the Doomsday Machine and Rise of the Tyrant sound, though lyrically the album brings to mind Anthems of Rebellion. "Under Black Flags We March" and "No Gods, No Masters" are great examples of this with their anthemic call to arms and message of defiance. It's one of those fast-paced and exciting albums that gets the blood pumping and has you raising your fists almost instantly.

If you're an Arch Enemy fan, you're obviously going to want to check this album out. It's nothing you haven't heard before from the band, but Khaos Legions is still a very impressive slab of melodic death metal from one of the few bands from the original Swedish movement that hasn't drastically changed their sound.

Edition Notes: There is a limited edition version of Khaos Legions that comes housed in a double digipack. It features a second disc with a handful of cover songs (most have been previously released) and a mail-in offer for an exclusive t-shirt.

I really like Arch Enemy & I was a bit disappointed w/ 'Rise of the Tyrant' but here w/ 'Khaos Legions' Arch Enemy got it right this time around! It's not a surprise that Arch Enemy tries to make aggressive music w/ melodic parts thrown in but while for me 'Rise of the Tyrant' seemed OK, this new disc is more FLUID from beginning to end & has everything in terms of style & production (the master mixer Andy Sneap back once again!) that you would expect from this band. Instead of listing "standout tracks," let me just tell you this album gets better as it goes along! There's no doubt if you are a fan of this band that you will be very pleased with this release!

For all there music I have to say this album is probably one of my favorites. If your a fan or just like a some of there music definitely get this one.

Some songs take some getting used to like most albums, but it's worth going through every song multiple times before you should rate this album. It grew on me. I would ignore the one star ratings. That's just ridiculous. Just listening to Daniel drum is worth getting the album. I've seen them live and they are truly one of the best live bands on the planet. Amazing musicians to say the least. If I had to critique one thing it would be Angela's voice is a little overly processed on a few songs. Damn, she sounds so good live, why do they do that? Anyway, I'm glad I bought this album. For anyone that enjoys this bands music, get the Tyrants of the Rising Sun - Live in Japan - DVD. It's incredible. You can thank me later.

3.5 Stars

I can understand why some people are giving this album bad reviews; my initial reaction was pretty negative too. After a few spins, I sat down and listened to the album carefully and, now, have a little more appreciation for it. I wouldn't say that its a bad album, but it certainly does not compare with, say, _Rise of the Tyrant_ (the best metal album I've heard in a long while). The songs aren't as hardcore and aggressive but I can still appreciate the musicality.

If you're a rabid, one-dimensional fan, then you will probably be disappointed with this album. If, however, you can listen with a more charitable ear, then I'm sure that you'll find something that you like on this album.

Cautiously recommended.

Arch Enemy are one of those bands that usually have a really good album or a really disappointing one. Funny how their career kind of parallels Megadeth's, since that's one of their biggest influences. Megadeth had a strong career start with their first couple of albums. So Far... was good but not great and then came the masterful Rust in Peace & Countdown to Extinction. After that was Youthanasia, which was less than stellar. Since then, they've been following the pattern of good album then bad album.

AE started strong with their rebirth in Wages. Anthems was a poor follow up, save for some decent tunes and probably my favorite track to date, "Silent Wars". Doomsday was better but still not quite there. Then, Tyrant came out and blew my mind yet again. Now, we come to Khaos Legions.

It might seem like it can only go downhill after Tyrant and in some respects, that holds true. Here's a breakdown, track by track:

1. Khaos Overture - An intro instrumental. Not really a fan of these types of tracks. It starts off promising with a decent riff but it ultimately doesn't resolve itself and ends up as background to the samples added to the track.

2. Yesterday is Dead and Gone - A strong opener. Not too fast and heavy but remains consistently rockin throughout. .The solo work is heavily reliant on finger tapping which surprised me but whatever the Ammott brothers spit out is typically really cool and this track is no exception. Angela sounds good as always.

3. Bloodstained Cross - I was really liking this track. It had a fast intro, with a cool riff going into the verse. Then, they got to the pre-chorus and slowed it way down. By the time the chorus hit, it was so slow and moody, it had a real emo/goth feel to it. Not that there's anything wrong with that per se but right after a heavy, intense part, it kind of ruined the feel. They also opted for a slow, clean midsection for the main solo. Anyway, there was some really cool double bass during the verse as well.

4. Under Black Flags we March - This is a really cool tune that starts out slow but the rhythm guitar spit out some awesome riffage. Also, really liking the guitar harmonies during the midsection.

5. No Gods, No Masters - Not really crazy about this one. Nothing really interesting going on. Very melodic, even for Arch Enemy. Would have been nice if the melodies were complimented by some crushing riffs but not the case here.

6. City of the Dead - This track starts out very promising. Very cool lead/riff with a fast & heavy backbeat. Again though, they slow it down to half time throughout and switch between that & normal time. If there's one thing the songs on this album lack, it's definitely consistency.

7. Through the Eyes of a Raven - This one starts out slow and doomy, with some quick double bass to pick it up. Then the verse goes into some really cool riffs along with the vocals. The speed up and slow down throughout but in this track, I didn't mind so much because even the slower parts sounded cool. Some really good solo work going on.

8. Cruelty Without Beauty - Ok, now this is what I'm talkin' about! This starts out slow & melodic but the heavy guitar kicks in and start building up. Then, the verse comes out fast & heavy. They actually get up to a blast neat, which is rarely heard in melodic death but they do it right and don't overdo it. The only thing I'm not a fan of in this track is the keyboard part. Very out of place sounding.

9. We are a Godless Entity - A short instrumental. Not a bad riff once it picks up with the heavy guitars but still not really a discernible track.

10. Cult of Chaos - Starts out fast & heavy, Nice riffs & lead licks going on. Remains consistent throughout the verses & choruses but again, they screech on the brakes about 2/3 of the way for a rather uninteresting clean channel solo section. Still though, generally one of the better tracks.

11. Thorns in my Flesh - Kicks you right in the teeth off the bat, fast heavy and with a screeching lead on top. The verse kicks in and there's this really cool double tracking harmonizer effect on Angela's voice. Evil and cool! Then, once again, the chorus comes around and slows the tempo and the feel way down. However, the midsection break down is definitely worthwhile.

12. Turn to Dust - A short, clean channel instrumental which really serves only as intro to the next song.

13. Vengeance is Mine - A balls out riff fest. Fast & with a complicated & cool sounding guitar riff on top. The guitar harmonies on the choruses are nice sounding. Then, the breakdown is a Pantera-esque groove thrash style part that carries the song almost to the end. Some very cool stuff going on in this one!

14. Secrets - It starts off slow & melodic and goes into a heavy riff for the verse but not really that interesting. Where it starts to get really cool though is about the 2:00 mark, where they break into a syncopated power metal style part. Then, there's some really good solo stuff going on.

So, there you have it. Overall, a decent album but not overly exciting. To be more technical (and fair), I'd actually give it 3 & ½ stars but since I can't, I opted for 4. Not their best by far but not their worst either.

it buys it for a gift and it is very well, they gave good commentaries me and is a product that recommend.