Band:	Arch Enemy
Album:	Burning Bridges
Style:	Gothenburg metal
Release date:	July 27, 1999
Guest review by:	GamlaSonn

01. The Immortal
02. Dead Inside
03. Pilgrim
04. Silverwing
05. Demonic Science
06. Seed Of Hate
07. Angelclaw
08. Burning Bridges
09. Diva Satanica [bonus]
10. Hydra [bonus]
11. Scream Of Anger [Europe cover] [Japanese bonus]
12. Fields Of Desolation '99 [Japanese bonus]

Burning Bridges is the 3rd full-length from the Swedish metallers in Arch Enemy. It is the last album to feature vocalist, John Liiva. Whether Gossow is superior to Liiva is a highly debated issue, but we all know Liiva is way better (good to get that out of the way). Liiva is often criticised for having a weaker voice than Gossow and I have to admit his performance on Stigmata was below par, but this is due to him having problems with his voice at that time. Still it's a good album. You know, new AE is re-recording songs from the Liiva period which I think is fucked up, because why would you want to re-record perfectly fine songs? Let me tell you, I heard their attempt to re-record Beast of Man and it sounds horrible! Oh well, let us go back to the review, shall we.

Arch Enemy is known for playing very thrashy melodic death metal. That is highly evident as the first track "The Immortal" throws you off-guard with ferocious riff-attacks from the twin guitars of the Amotts. Even for being a solid song, it is mostly a tribute to fast, awesome thrash, the best is yet to come. "Dead Inside" follows up and immediately showcases the Amott brothers ability to create memorable riffs. The song keeps steering towards point B, swinging between melody and brutality, with Liiva supplementing with harsh growls/screams.

Then we are greeted with a fair-enough intro of the song "Pilgrim", with a solo that teases you with the greatness of the rest of the song. Again, thrash riffs at the verse building up towards the chorus. At point of appearance, the chorus takes you on a highly memorable ride. And when you thought the song could not possibly top that, a solo of storey-high epicness appears. But is Arch Enemy ready to play the fillers already? Nope they are not. "Silverwing" starts of at point blank with a beautiful riff, worthy of remembrance until the world ends in a terrible black void. Fly on .. silverwing .. fly with me .. stay free .. silverwing .. the chorus goes as you are entranced in the beautiful lead guitar work of Amott (this has to be Michael right?). As with the last song "Pilgrim" the last part of the song is supplemented with a wonderful solo, which will make you feel like you are indeed flying.. on a silverwing.

So far, so good. "Demonic Science" leaves the silverwing feeling and presents a "meaner" attitude, if you will. Perhaps not overall as memorable as "Silverwing", but damn sure close, which is proved by the multiple solos (at least three!), so hey if you like solos look no further. We are at track number 6 and it's called "Seed of Hate". A somewhat weaker contribution overall, it has a more serious approach. Armed with whispering in calm interludes and steady rhythms contrasted by powerful growls, it's a different, but still an okay song. In "Angelclaw" Liiva's exchange between shrieky and growly vocal styles makes for an interesting schizophrenic feeling. It's very melodic and includes a highly unsuitable galloping solo near the end.

Lastly, "Burning Bridges" stands out of the other songs by being played in a doomy tempo, but it is in no means a weak link. Imagine walking through a destroyed city, everything that remains are ruins and burning buildings(/bridges?), you are the only person there. You feel that? That's pretty much what you feel like after being devastated by Arch Enemy's Burning Bridges.

In my opinion, this is the best Arch Enemy album and will most probably not get surpassed in the near future. It includes some of the most memorable melodic death metal songs ever created. This album is cold hard evidence that you can pull off the notorious combination of melody (and MAN how melodic!) and brutality, while not giving up any intensity or catchiness. The Swedes fronted by Liiva backed up by the Amott brothers seemed to be at top of their game. Oh well, so much for nostalgic praising.