Arch Enemy Welcomes Joey Concepcion, Prepares for ‘Blood Dynasty’ Release
Table of Contents
- 1. Arch Enemy Welcomes Joey Concepcion, Prepares for ‘Blood Dynasty’ Release
- 2. Joey Concepcion: A Fresh Viewpoint
- 3. Jeff Loomis’ Departure: A Mutual Understanding
- 4. Maintaining the Arch Enemy Sound
- 5. First Performance with Concepcion
- 6. the Future of Arch Enemy
- 7. What is your favourite Arch Enemy song?
- 8. Arch Enemy’s Michael Amott on ‘Blood Dynasty’ & Welcoming Joey Concepcion
- 9. Embracing Change: The Evolution of Arch Enemy
- 10. Joey Concepcion: A New Era for Melodic Death Metal
- 11. maintaining the Arch Enemy core Sound
- 12. What’s Your favorite Arch Enemy Song?
arch Enemy, the Swedish melodic death metal band, is gearing up for the release of their new album, “Blood Dynasty,” on March 28 via Century media Records. Founding member and guitarist Michael Amott recently discussed the album and the addition of guitarist joey Concepcion in an interview, shedding light on the band’s evolution and future direction.
Joey Concepcion: A Fresh Viewpoint
Concepcion officially joined arch Enemy after touring with them throughout 2024. Amott emphasizes not only Concepcion’s exceptional guitar skills but also his positive personality.”we toured all last year with him, which was great, 2024. That was great. He’s just a really nice guy and a really nice person, which is a really important thing. And then he’s also a phenomenal guitarist, which is also great.”
- Enthusiasm: Amott highlights concepcion’s excitement, explaining, “It’s fun with somebody who’s kind of a bit more fresh to the whole thing…so it’s fun when somebody new comes on board. And he’s very excited.”
- Longtime Fan: Concepcion’s connection to the band runs deep. According to Amott, “He told me that he bought his first ARCH ENEMY CD when he was 12. So that’s quite somthing.So metal dreams do come true.”
Jeff Loomis’ Departure: A Mutual Understanding
The departure of guitarist Jeff Loomis in December 2023 marked the end of a stable nine-year lineup. According to Amott, the split was amicable. “that was a great time of stability in the band. We had the same lineup for nine years,which was a great strength. And he’s a beautiful guy…and we’re still friends now, so it just feels great that [there’s] nothing sort of [negative] there on a personal level.”
Loomis’s decision stemmed from a desire for change. Amott added,”I think he just wanted to do something different. He stayed home for a year,and now he’s getting busy again,I guess,with a new project.”
Maintaining the Arch Enemy Sound
Despite lineup changes, Arch Enemy’s signature sound remains intact. Amott credits this to the band’s core members. “Well,I’m still here.I’ve been here on every album.[[Laughs]And then we have the core of Daniel [Erlandsson] on drums and Sharlee [D’Angelo] on bass…It’s that core that’s remained the same.” He further stated, “And we have a sound — when we play, it just sounds like this, it sounds like ARCH ENEMY. So even if we would start a new band tomorrow, it would sound like this. So it’s just how it is.”
First Performance with Concepcion
Arch Enemy’s first performance with Joey Concepcion took place on April 24, 2024, at Musinsa Garage in Seoul, South Korea, as part of their 2024 Asian tour.This marked a new chapter for the band, blending established talent with fresh energy.
the Future of Arch Enemy
With “Blood Dynasty” on the horizon and Joey Concepcion integrated into the lineup, Arch Enemy is poised to continue their legacy in the melodic death metal scene. the combination of seasoned musicianship and newfound enthusiasm suggests a compelling future for the band. Pre-order “Blood Dynasty” today and experience the next evolution of Arch Enemy.
What is your favourite Arch Enemy song?
Arch Enemy’s Michael Amott on ‘Blood Dynasty’ & Welcoming Joey Concepcion
With their new album, “Blood Dynasty,” set to ignite the metal scene on March 28th, arch Enemy is poised for a powerful new chapter. Founding guitarist Michael Amott sat down with Archyde’s metal correspondent, erika Stahl, to discuss the album, the departure of Jeff Loomis, and the exciting addition of guitarist Joey Concepcion.Here’s what Amott had to say:
Embracing Change: The Evolution of Arch Enemy
Erika Stahl: Michael, thanks for taking the time. let’s dive right in. “Blood Dynasty” is generating massive buzz. What can fans expect from this new Arch Enemy album?
Michael Amott: Thanks for having me, Erika! “Blood Dynasty” is definitely a culmination of everything we’ve been working towards. It’s got that signature Arch Enemy sound – the melodic death metal intensity, the shredding solos, and Alissa’s unbelievable vocals. But it also pushes us into some new territories. Expect a darker, more dynamic experience. it’s a relentless ride from start to finish.
Erika Stahl: Speaking of evolution, Jeff Loomis’s departure in December 2023 was a big change.How did that impact the band’s dynamic and songwriting process?
Michael Amott: Jeff is a phenomenal guitarist and a great guy. His departure was amicable. He just felt the need to explore other musical avenues, and we fully supported that.Of course, it changed the dynamic, but in a way, it also opened up new creative possibilities. We had a solid nine-year run with that lineup, which is rare in this industry. we wish Jeff all the best in his future endeavors.
Joey Concepcion: A New Era for Melodic Death Metal
Erika Stahl: That leads perfectly into the arrival of Joey Concepcion. What made him the right fit for Arch Enemy? How dose he contribute to the overall sound?
Michael Amott: Joey is a force of nature! We toured with him throughout 2024, and his energy and enthusiasm were infectious. He’s an incredibly talented guitarist, obviously, but equally important, he’s a great person to be around.He brings a fresh outlook to classic Arch Enemy, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve musically.
Erika Stahl: You mentioned Joey being a longtime fan. Has his perspective as a fan influenced the “Blood Dynasty” songwriting or performance in any way?
Michael amott: Definitely! He has such a deep respect for the band’s legacy, but he’s also not afraid to bring his own ideas to the table. That balance is crucial. He understands what makes Arch Enemy *Arch Enemy*, but he’s also injecting new life into the riffs. Hearing that he bought his first Arch Enemy CD at age 12 – it’s incredibly humbling and inspiring.
maintaining the Arch Enemy core Sound
Erika Stahl: Your core sound is undeniably Arch Enemy. How do you maintain that signature sound despite lineup changes?
Michael Amott: Well, I’m still here! I’ve been the one constant throughout our entire history.[[Laughs]But more seriously, the core backbone of the band—Sharlee on bass, Daniel on drums and Alissa on vocals—that stability and musical telepathy are key. We’ve been playing together so long that our musical DNA is intertwined. We coudl start a new band tomorrow, and it would still sound like Arch Enemy in some ways. It’s just inherent in our playing.
Erika Stahl: The band’s first performance with Joey was in Seoul, South Korea. What was the energy like with the new lineup?
Michael Amott: The Seoul show was insane! The energy from the crowd was unbelievable. It was Joey’s first official gig with us, and he absolutely killed it. You could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. It was a really special and memorable night, marking the beginning of a incredible journey for all of us.
Erika stahl: looking ahead, what are Arch Enemy’s goals and aspirations for the future?
michael Amott: We want to keep pushing ourselves creatively, writing the best music we possibly can, and delivering unforgettable live performances. We want to connect with fans on a deeper level and leave a lasting impact on the metal scene. Simply put, we want to continue the Arch Enemy legacy for years to come.
Erika Stahl: Michael, thank you so much for your time and insights. we wish you all the best with “Blood Dynasty”!
Michael Amott: Thank you, Erika! We appreciate the support!
What’s Your favorite Arch Enemy Song?
Arch Enemy fans, “Blood Dynasty” is arriving soon. What are your thoughts on the new album and joey Concepcion joining the band? And what is your favorite Arch Enemy track of all time? Sound off in the comments below!
