Black Earth

Black Earth is the debut by ARCH ENEMY — formed by ex-CARCASS Michael Amott — tightly combining sharply chiseled riffs, weeping twin guitars and raw vocals. Johan Liiva’s growl and the melody woven by the guitars of Michael and his brother Christopher Amott form the core of the early band. The songs are short and tight, leaving a strong impression through melodic strength, not just speed. On “Bury Me An Angel,” “Dark Insanity,” “Idolatress” and “Transmigration Macabre,” the guitars push very much to the front while staying within melodic death metal, joining Swedish-derived lyricism to death-metal aggression at high density. Songs like “Cosmic Retribution” and “Field Of Desolation” carry a drama that hints at the later band. Keeping a still-rough heat while running on firm writing and playing, it is still highly regarded as the origin point of the band ARCH ENEMY.