Arch Enemy - Stigmata (Deluxe Edition)

Arch Enemy is a melodic death metal band from Halmstad, Sweden, and formed in 1995. Arch Enemy is the brainchild of Michael Amott (Carcass, Carnage and Spiritual Beggars). Guitarists Michael Amott and younger brother Christopher Amott were joined by vocalist Johan Liiva (ex-Carnage, NonExist) and then-session drummer Daniel Erlandsson (Armageddon, Eucharist) in what Michael Amott called “An attempt to merge melody with aggression and technicality.” The band’s debut, entitled Black Earth, was released by the now defunct Wrong Again Records in 1996. It obtained a fair amount of success in Japan, achieving MTV rotation with their first single “Bury Me an Angel”, as well as moderate success in Sweden. More of a ‘solo effort’ than a full band at this point, Michael Amott wrote all the songs himself, and even played bass guitar on the album - contrary to the album’s liner notes, which listed vocalist Johan Liiva as handling bass duties. Michael Amott later revealed that he had the credits listed that way to make the album seem more of a “band” effort. Many consider it to be the band’s most aggressive album, a trait which was softened to some degree on their following releases, but which was never abandoned.