They say anticipation makes the heart grow fonder. If that's the case, metal fans should be looking forward to the latest Arch Enemy record Wages of Sin" with unmatched adoration. It's taken the patience of Job and the persistence of Captain Ahab to get this metallic treasure unleashed in the US but hallelujah, the day has finally come! The record has been out in Japan and Korea for almost a year and in Europe for a couple of months. Why it took so long for US fans to check it out is a mystery only some Century Media management wonk can answer.

Arch Enemy is just about the perfect band if you are into aggressive but very well played and melodic metal. The guitar playing wizardry suggests Death's Chuck Schuldiner and Testament's Alex Skolnick/Glen Alvelais at their most technically sound. Here's a band that's not afraid to scorch the frets with some genuinely shredding solos! And why would you expect any less from a band that features Michael Amott, who contributed to the glorious Carcass album "Necroticism", and his brother Christopher manning the axes? The brothers expertise is matched by the extremely talented bass/drum tandem of Sharlee D'Angelo (also in Witchery and Mercyful Fate, amongst others) and Daniel Erlandson. The new joker in the deck is vocalist Angela Gossow. Yes, dudes, it's a girl and man, does she rip! No sweetly singing chanteuse is this...instead, Ms. Gossow has that "gargling with razor blades" raspiness down pat, mixed in with an occasional low growl. Unlike, say, Kittie, there is absolutely NO clean singing here. In addition to being quite the babe, Angela fits 100% with the aggressive style of Arch Enemy.

"Wages of Sin" is a superb effort if you dig powerful melodic death/thrash metal. The only drawback is that some of the riffs and solos seem pretty familiar. Once in a while, it becomes a case of "oh, there's a riff from Testament" or "hey, that solo sounds like it comes from Death". Arch Enemy quite rightly aren't afraid to tip their hat to their influences, but it occasionally points out a lack of a strong identity of their own. Nonetheless, "Wages of Sin" is required listening for all true metal fanatics. See if you can grab the special double CD which includes some rare cover tunes and unreleased tracks for a real treat.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 2 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.