Interview: ARCH ENEMY’s MICHAEL AMOTT On Evolution, Experimentation, & Pushing Boundaries With Blood Dynasty

With nearly three decades in the metal scene, Arch Enemy continues to evolve while staying true to their signature sound. Their latest album, Blood Dynasty, is an undeniable proof of this balance — blending ferocity and melody while exploring fresh dynamics and unexpected twists. In this exclusive interview, guitarist and founding member Michael Amott dives deep into the album’s creation, the impact of new guitarist Joey Concepcion, and how Blood Dynasty pushes the band’s boundaries without losing what makes Arch Enemy unmistakable.

Blood Dynasty is an album title loaded with imagery, and so is the album artwork. Can you share how the concept evolved — from mythic or historical inspirations to personal or socio-political reflections — and what the term “dynasty” means for Arch Enemy today?

We’ve always had a strong visual and conceptual identity in Arch Enemy — something powerful, almost cinematic. The painting that artist Alex Reisfar did for us with Blood Dynasty is something that feels both regal and sinister. The imagery in the lyrics and the artwork draws from history, mythology, and a bit of our own reality. In a way, “dynasty” reflects the ongoing saga of Arch Enemy itself.

With Blood Dynasty touted as promising both ferocity and melody, did you experiment with any new musical structures or unexpected instrumentation during its creation?

Yeah, no real surprise that we’re playing heavy yet melodic metal, haha… We never want to completely repeat ourselves, even though we have a sound that’s undeniably Arch Enemy. This time, we played around with some fresh approaches to arrangement and dynamics—some songs are more intricate, layered, and grandiose. I wouldn’t say we went off the deep end with experimentation, but some moments will quite possibly surprise fans.

This album marks the first with new guitarist Joey Concepcion. How has his playing style and musical background influenced the songwriting and overall sound of Blood Dynasty?

Not too much, but he added some fresh elements with his solos on this album. Joey is a phenomenal player — insanely technical but also deeply musical, which is important in Arch Enemy. The interplay between my style and his created some exciting moments. He’s got the neoclassical shred ability, but he’s also a tasteful player, so it was about finding the right things to embellish the music myself and Daniel had composed for the album.

Blood Dynasty – to my ears – seems to bridge Arch Enemy’s storied past with bold new explorations. Do you try to balance honoring your musical legacy while pushing creative boundaries in today’s evolving metal landscape, or do you simply go with your tried-and-true creative process, your gut?

I think it’s a bit of both. We’re aware of what we’ve built over the years — our signature sound, our fanbase’s expectations — but at the same time, we’re artists, and we have to evolve. I don’t believe in forcing change just for the sake of it, but I also don’t want to make the same album twice. The best way forward is to trust our instincts while staying open to new inspirations. That’s what keeps it exciting for us, and hopefully the fans of the band.

Was there a turning point during the songwriting or recording process when the album took an unexpected direction? And if it did, how did that shift influence the final product?

There were definitely moments where a song would start in one direction and then take on a life of its own. Sometimes that happens in the demo stage, sometimes in the studio when we start layering things and getting into the details. Those surprises are what make the process exciting.

Did the inception process of Blood Dynasty push any of the band members out of their comfort zones, either musically or personally?

Spending a couple of months recording in Sweden in the dead of winter was not a comfort zone for any of us I believe!

Your previous album, Deceivers was universally acclaimed by critics and fans, and despite featuring your familiar sound, it did add a few unexpected twists. What songs on Blood Dynasty can you talk about in which you purposely added any curveballs to spice things up, so to speak?

There are definitely a few moments like that on Blood Dynasty, and I think fans have already been talking about that from the singles we’ve put out ahead of the album release, but it’s always filtered through the Arch Enemy lens, so it never feels out of place. We do enjoy adding those twists – keeping people on their toes while staying true to what we do best.

For your most dedicated fans who dissect every riff and lyric, are there any experimental elements or hidden layers in Blood Dynasty that might not be immediately apparent? Are there any details that are key to fully appreciating the album’s narrative?

Everyone hears music in their own way, right? We like to reward listeners who dig deep into the music. There are layers in the production – subtle guitar harmonies, orchestrations, and textures that might not stand out on a first listen but add depth. Lyrically, there are some interwoven themes and callbacks to past albums that longtime fans will catch.

In an era marked by digital transformation and rapid cultural shifts, how did modern industry dynamics influence your production and promotional choices for the album?

The industry is always evolving, and we’ve adapted over the years. We’re still an album-focused band, but we’re aware of the way people consume music now. Visually, we’ve put a lot of effort into making sure this record has a strong identity – something that translates well across all platforms, from streaming to physical formats to live performance. At the end of the day, though, it’s about writing killer songs. That’s what matters most.

Including a cover of the rather obscure French hard rock ballad “Vivre Libre” is a bold choice. What inspired you to incorporate this track, and how does it fit into the album’s narrative of blending tradition with innovation?

Yeah, that’s on me – I have collected underground metal from all over the world since back in the day. We’ve always enjoyed doing covers that feel unexpected. Including a cover song on the main tracklist of the album is however a first for us. The Blaspeme song had a certain mood and melody that resonated with us, and we gave it the Arch Enemy treatment. It’s an unexpected moment on the album that adds contrast and depth to Blood Dynasty.

Celebrating nearly three decades in metal, you’ve maintained that raw, underground spirit despite growing global acclaim. This record amps up the colossal yet gritty sound of Arch Enemy. Was that a conscious goal on your part when producing this album with Jens Bogren?

We wanted this album to have a huge production but still have the feel and aggressiveness that we need. That balance between clarity and rawness was achieved largely thanks to Jens.

With the spring 2025 North American tour on the horizon, how do you envision translating the album’s complex sonic landscapes into a dynamic live performance? Are there surprises in store for fans on stage?

The live show is where it all comes together, and it’s something we enjoy immensely. Arch Enemy has been touring for a long time, so it’s second nature to us, no need to overthink these things, just excited to bring our music and this new material to your part of the world. It’s been three long years since we last performed in North America – it’s about time!