Trip down memory lane - My first ever show with Arch Enemy! 10 years ago..

What the crowd at The Troubadour witnessed on Tuesday night was nothing short of the making of history.

Years from now, the ARCH ENEMY fans who attended the first EVER show with their new lead singer, Angela Gossow, will be able to cherish it as a prized memory.  Even Dino Cazares of Fear Factory knew he had to get in on it, and stood incredulously amazed at what he was witnessing.  The commanding professionalism, the high caliber of musical talent, and the endless fan devotion all combined into a hypnotizing atmospheric elixir that left everyone euphoric. 

The anticipation in the air that night was absolutely UNDENIABLE.  The show was completely sold-out. Before the band even took the stage, the autographed CDs commemorating the debut of the new line-up completely sold-out.  ARCH ENEMY shirts sold out.  Posters from the venue walls promoting the show were stolen.  Everyone wanted ANYTHING they could get their hands on.  Fans recognized that ANYTHING pertaining to the March 5th show would soon carry its weight in things more precious than gold: it would mark an experience of a lifetime.

Just after 11 p.m., all heads in the packed crowd where craned to the left, staring at the stairwell where the band was expected to descend from.  As the intro music began and played, fists and horns pierced the air.  As hot as it already was in The Troubadour, the temperature was raised another 15º when guitarist Christopher Amott stepped onto the stage and raised his own fist, fiercely saluting the army of arms before him.  Next out was drummer Daniel Erlandsson, desperately eager to break in his new wrestling shoes purchased earlier that very day which he'd searched the world for.  Slinging his Rickenbacker bass over his shoulders, the well-seasoned & prolific musician Sharlee D'Angelo only made the crowd get louder as he stepped onto the stage.  When mastermind guitarist Michael Amott joined his band mates armed with his ESP Flying V, everyone's fate was sealed: this night was going to be both ASTOUNDING and irrefutably UNFORGETTABLE.

As the men of ARCH ENEMY ripped into the intro to "Enemy Within," all heads once again turned left, awaiting their first glimpse at the newest vessel of vocal brutality.  Angela Gossow grabbed her cordless microphone and leaped fearlessly into what felt like an inferno.  Dressed completely in red, her already demonic status was propelled to raging new heights with the roar from the audience.  With her first growl, fans SCREAMED their approval.  For her, they would sell their souls without hesitation.  For this newest incarnation of ARCH ENEMY, they would prove their fan-dom with blood.

The band tore into the rest of their set while fans in the front row ran the risk of dismemberment from the ferocious activity close to the stage: "Bury Me An Angel," "Diva Satanica" (could a more appropriate song have been penned?), "Heart Of Darkness," "The Immortal," "Dark Insanity," "Burning Angel," "Pilgrim," and "Ravenous," concluding with the ever-memorable "Silverwing."  The entire band's talents swelled from the adrenaline fed to them from the audience.  The venue was transformed into a rare night of amnesty for all the souls trapped in Hell.  Brothers Michael and Christopher completely justified the invention of the electric guitar with their single bloodline, Daniel maneuvered his way effortlessly through the controlled chaos of this drumming, and Sharlee left no stone unturned with his playing and stage presence. To those who never doubted her abilities, Angela thanked them personally with every snarl, every growl, and every mighty scream over & over & over again.

Following the final note of "Silverwing," the band left the stage, but chants of "EN-E-MY! EN-E-MY! EN-E-MY!" ensured the encore everyone so painfully wanted.  It was as if the crowd was killed and resurrected only to plead to be killed again, which was successfully achieved with "Dead Bury Their Dead," and "Beast Of Man."  In the history of all the world's slaughters, none have been consummated with such willing victims as those who so rabidly offered themselves Tuesday night.

After the show, Michael, Christopher, Daniel, Sharlee, and Angela met with their fans and were doused with endless praise as they signed cds, posters, and ticket stubs.

For the historian in us all, I highly recommend everyone picking up copies of the latest Mean Street & Los Angeles New Times, and upcoming issues of  Revolver Magazine, Guitar World, Guitar One - Women In Rock, Metal Edge, Metal Maniacs, Hit Parader, and Rockrgrl.

After the phenomenal March 5th performance, these issues are already destined to become collector's items.

With the strength & pride of The Underground,

Loana dP Valencia
The Publicity Pit

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