50 Most Underrated Albums of the 2000's: #36

36.Arch Enemy-Khaos Legions (2011)

Sweedish melodic death metal act Arch Enemy is an act that has a discography full of under-appreciated records. However, none gets glossed over more than their 2011 record Khaos Legions. Khaos Legions is the most melodic and wild musical attack the band has released over their nearly 20-year career. The Amott Brothers paid closer attention to writing riffs on Khaos Legions than just simply soloing their asses off the entire time like their earlier records. The use of acoustic guitars and subtle interludes into most of the tracks have a calm before the strom type of effect, making the explosions of musical chaos that much more satisfying. Khaos Legions will also go down as the swansong for vocalist Angela Gossow, who left the band earlier this year. Gossow's imposing and electric presence is surely going to be missed, but at least she went out on top with one of the strongest vocal performances of her career. Khaos Legions is the type of flashy yet beautifully layered melodic death metal that is incredibly satisfying to listen to. Hopefully the loss of Gossow and founding guitarist Christopher Amott won't have a serious effect on the next chapter of Arch Enemy.

Standout Tracks

1.City of the Dead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDZhx9kBo0Q

2.Cult of Chaos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS25j6lNWsA

3.Cruelty Without Beauty http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF3td-_vcGU 

Album Review: Arch Enemy-Khaos Legions

Arch Enemy is back! It's been four long years since they have had a new full length (The Root Of All Evil which contained re-recorded material came out in 2009) and Khaos Legions is completely worth the wait. Hell, it might even be their best record to date.

Khaos Legions is a furious, ass-kicker of an album. The album is completely jam-packed with great riffs. Arch Enemy has always had insane guitarwork, but none of their previous material has had this many sick riffs. The speedy solos that Arch Enemy are known for are even cranked up another notch. The intro to "City Of The Dead" will leaver most listeners with their jaw on the floor, the solo is that impressive. There is actually no shortage of crazy solos on this record from the melodic beauty of "Cult Of Chaos" to the thrashy solos on "Cruelty Without Beauty" and "Bloodstained Cross". Khaos Legions is a guitar players wet dream.

Khaos Legions also succeeds with it's near perfect blend of thrash and melodic death metal. The melodic instrumental tracks serve as spectacular introductions. They transition eerily well into the proceeding tracks and add that much more to the album. Angela Gossow's vocals, as usual, are amazing. She is one of the best vocalists in all of extreme metal. Her vocals sound completely perfect no matter what the speed the section of the song is. That takes a ton of talent to pull off and Angela Gossow does it effortlessly.

Khaos Legions is one of the best, if not the absolute Arch Enemy record to date. It has all the trademarks of an Arch Enemy record, just done on a grander scale. It's faster, it's more melodic, it's catchier, and the riffs are even better. If you like Arch Enemy, you will love this record. It's the quintessential Arch Enemy record and it's already very high on my list of favorite records for 2011.

4.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.City Of The Dead
2.Cruelty Without Beauty
3.Cult Of Chaos