Artist: Arch Enemy
Title: “Tyrants of the Rising Sun: Live in Japan”
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: 11/24/2008
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Rating: 4/5

While I am not sure of the rationale behind the release of another live Arch Enemy live DVD only two short years after their “Live Apocalypse” edition, I am hesitant to complain because when it comes down to it, Arch Enemy is one of those bands who continually seem to deliver the goods for the Metal legions. This time around we find the band performing in front of a “Ravenous” Japanese fan base and you must pardon the obvious pun using the bands own song. As most Metal heads know – the Japanese really take their music seriously when they believe in a band and we saw this very long ago with the likes of both KISS and Cheap Trick along with countless others. From this film we see that their love of the mighty Arch Enemy is caught very early for the observing eye and the crowd seems to absorb every tune with delight as the band delivers not only classic material from their back catalog but also offers up some of their new greatness from “Rise Of The Tyrant”. While I had questioned the relevance of another live DVD in the opening of this piece, when one considers that this is the first tour that found the returning Amott brother back in action then it is a no brainer to capture more attention for this great event. Arch Enemy fans or those who just follow the Metal might remember that the guitarist had left the group to pursue other interests and once he had finished with them decided to return. He was replaced for a time by Fredrik Akesson who did an incredible job and now with his return was no longer needed by the group. I wouldn’t worry too much about him because he is working in Opeth now and doing a stand up job over in that camp because he is very clearly an incredible player for the more Melodic styled Death Metal. Thank you for your contributions to Arch Enemy sir, you were a great addition to the lineup.
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