Original Arch Enemy guitarist Christopher Amott has rejoined his bandmates after a two year split, according to a press release issued by the band’s label, Century Media. Christopher, who had been with the band for 10 years, surprised many by departing Arch Enemy at the end of the Doomsday Machine recording sessions in 2005. According to the statement, Christopher “followed his urges to see the world and find what else is out there apart from music. Having done that, the time is now right for him to return to the fold with a newly injected desire and focus and to resume his career.”
Says Christopher, “This is very exciting for me, returning to Arch Enemy as a fulltime member! Right now we are working on our forthcoming album, and I'm very pleased about the way it's turning out. The new songs are fast and furious with lots of melody. To all the people who sent me kind messages while I was out of the band, thank you for your support; it helped me a lot. After this (much needed) two-year break, I'm looking forward to getting back on the road. I hope to see you all later this year!”
According to Michael Amott, Arch Enemy guitarist and Christopher’s brother, “So, we are back with my brother Christopher on guitar—it's a huge rush to have him back playing in his signature style. He's jumped in at the end of the songwriting process for the new album and added some of his unique spice. I feel Christopher's playing has matured and is more precise and even faster than before! Guitar fans are going to freak out at the stuff we’re up to on the new album!”
As for Fredrik Åkesson, the Swedish guitarist who has been touring with Arch Enemy for 18 months and who can be seen on the band’s latest video clip for the song “My Apocalypse,” Michael comments, “I want to add that we are eternally grateful to Fredrik, who did an outstanding job with us over the past 18 months while we dragged the Doomsday Machine around the world a couple of times—you are fucking awesome!”
Arch Enemy have spent recent weeks locked in intense rehearsals at their homebase in Halmstad, Sweden, putting the final touches on their new material and integrating Christopher into the new songs for the forthcoming studio album.
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