The band’s debut album, Black Earth, was recorded in just nine days at Studio Fredman and released in 1996 under the independent label Wrong Again Records. Despite limited distribution, it garnered critical acclaim, especially in Japan. The success of Black Earth led Arch Enemy to sign with Century Media Records, and in 1998 they released their sophomore album, Stigmata, featuring bassist Martin Bengtsson and drummer Peter Wildoer. This marked their first worldwide release and expanded their audience across Europe and North America.
In 1999, Sharlee D’Angelo (formerly of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate) joined on bass, and Daniel Erlandsson (ex-Carcass, Eucharist) returned as the drummer. That same year, the band released Burning Bridges, followed by their first live album, Burning Japan Live 1999.
In 2000, founding vocalist Johan Liiva was replaced by German growler Angela Gossow, a groundbreaking move that brought a female vocalist to the forefront of a male-dominated genre. Gossow made her debut on the 2001 album Wages of Sin, which marked a turning point in the band’s career, both in terms of visibility and sonic intensity. Their popularity continued to grow with the 2003 release of Anthems of Rebellion, noted for incorporating harmonized vocals and further refining their melodic edge. The band followed this with the Dead Eyes See No Future EP in 2004, which included live tracks and covers of songs by Manowar, Megadeth, and Carcass.
Throughout the years, Arch Enemy has built a strong discography, releasing eleven studio albums, three live albums, three video albums, and four EPs, cementing their legacy as icons of melodic death metal. In 2014, Angela Gossow stepped down as vocalist to become the band’s manager, passing the torch to Alissa White-Gluz, former vocalist of The Agonist. Under Alissa’s leadership, the band has continued to evolve and thrive, maintaining a fierce presence in the global metal scene.
Arch Enemy’s lineup has included members from other legendary bands such as Spiritual Beggars, Nevermore, Mercyful Fate, and Eucharist, making the band a true melting pot of extreme metal talent and influence.