Arch Enemy was the second and last support band on Amon Amarth’s big Europe tour ending 2019. While I would personally object to the order the bands played in, I can at least objectively understand the decision. After all, while being their seniors in the game, Hypocrisy hasn’t as much of a mainstream hit of themselves as Arch Enemy has.

“Are you having fun? We are Arch Enemy, and this is fucking war!”
- Alissa White-Gluz (vocals)

The band announced their coming by having Set Flame To The Night, the instrumental opening of Will To Power, play over the speakers. Towards the end of it, the band assembled on stage, and shot straight into The World Is Yours. The crowd had grown, and the large arena was now somewhat passed half filed. The crowd had also grown a bit livelier, and the band was greeted with cheers straight from the start.
The show was well rehearsed, and I noticed a few classic installations in it, like the flag waving during Under Black Flags We March. It is also clear that Alissa White-Gluz knows how to handle herself on a stage and give an energetic performance, even though this night was toned down from what we’ve seen her do in the past. I thought the bat wings on her costume were a bit silly, but that’s just personal preference. She certainly was more active than the rest of the band - they were doing an ok job, nothing more. Too anonymous in their performance, and nothing that stuck with me after they left the stage.

The crowd kept growing through the show, and while they were still a lazy bunch, there was a bit more cheering between songs, and a couple more headbangers in the front line. Certainly nothing compared to the crowds I’m sure this band is used to, but then again, this wasn’t entirely their night either.

Setlist:

Set Flame To The Night
The World Is Yours
War Eternal
My Apocalypse
Ravenous
Under Black Flags We March
The Eagle Flies Alone
First Day In Hell
Saturnine
As The Pages Burn
No Gods, No Masters
Dead Bury Their Dead
Nemesis
Enter The Machine