Bringing Michael Amott and Alexander Reisfar together to dive into their audiovisual trifecta.
Words by Luis (@HeaviestOfArt):
For a band twelve albums in, endless accolades earned, and a longstanding influence still present to this day, Arch Enemy continue to excel beyond expectation in search of bigger and better. The Swedish melodic death metal titans are set to release their new album, Blood Dynasty, this March 28th via Century Media and though nearly every album cycle titles its respective record "the best yet", Blood Dynasty is truly fitting to the tagline.
Why try for more when you've built a loyal following? Why try for more when you're guaranteed to sell tour tickets playing the classics? Arch Enemy's creative ambitions answer these questions and surpass the comfort that is provided by an established legacy, the likes of which facilitate settling for an expected composition. The band remains as thrilled as ever, seeing this album as a conduit for more rather than a reason to settle. With the arrival of Blood Dynasty imminent, guitarist / founding member Michael Amott expands on the culminating feat and the accomplishment that is felt upon seeing a release through. He shares, "Every album is a massive undertaking, and when you finally get to the point where it’s ready to be unleashed upon the world, there’s definitely a sense of relief and pride. I wouldn’t necessarily call it catharsis, though—if anything, finishing a record just reignites that hunger to create more. 'Blood Dynasty' feels like a huge statement for us, both musically and visually, and we’re beyond excited for people to experience it in its entirety."
Even though Amott is a seasoned veteran with twelve albums in, the act of writing and recording a full-length doesn’t always get easier, especially with each album being a time capsule of where the band were emotionally and mentally at the time. Amott agrees: "That’s true—if anything, it only gets harder because we always set the bar higher for ourselves. Complacency isn’t an option in this band." The anticipation that Amott feels for release day is a byproduct of the intrigue and investment that was place on the grand body of work that became Blood Dynasty. There's no phoning it in, only challenging hisself to craft what he believes to be Arch Enemy's most ambitious album to date.
"The driving force behind Blood Dynasty was a desire to push our sound further while staying true to what makes Arch Enemy… well, Arch Enemy," he adds. "We thrive on intensity, melody, and power, and we wanted to amplify all of that. There was a certain fire in the writing process this time, a determination to create something that hits hard but also takes listeners on a journey."
The result is one shape-shifting, momentous journey full of big moments from beginning to end. In other words, it's an album meant for the sheer power of a live setting that finds each member capitalizing off of one another. Camaraderie within the band plays a significant role in the development of it all, beyond the live stage. "It plays a massive role," shares Amott. "A band like Arch Enemy functions as a unit—we’re all in this together, and that chemistry is what makes the music work. We challenge each other to be better, to push beyond limits, but we also know when to step back and just enjoy the ride. There’s mutual respect, and we’ve built a creative environment where everyone can bring their best to the table. You can hear that energy in 'Blood Dynasty', and it translates to how we perform live as well."
The band’s strengths aren’t just musical, but artistic as well with strong audiovisual partnerships throughout the years. Whether it be Niklas Sundin's iconic work for Anthems of Rebellion (2003) or Kris Verwimp's piercing gaze on Stigmata (1998), Arch Enemy have had an eye for captivating covers since their Black Earth (1996) days. In their contemporary era, one artist — Portland's Alexander Reisfar — has been entrusted to develop the band's esoteric visual identity from 2017's Will To Power onward. Their efforts have fortified one of death metal's strongest cover catalogs to date, and with Blood Dynasty, the two parties have reached a massive feat.
Michael Amott and Alexander Reisfar participate in a Q&A to dive further into the makings of their audiovisual trifecta:
Michael, where did you look to take the visual component for 'Blood Dynasty' in working with Alex Reisfar once more? This is of course the third album in a row that he illustrates for Arch Enemy.
Michael: Yeah, the visual side of things has always been crucial for Arch Enemy. With 'Blood Dynasty', we wanted something that matched the grandeur and ferocity of the music —something striking and evocative. Alex has an incredible way of translating our ideas into these stunning, almost surreal images, and this time we gave him a bit more creative freedom. The result is something that feels both regal and sinister, which fits the theme of the record perfectly.
How would you two characterize your partnership with in bringing to life the themes, lyricism, and overall tone of your records through artistry? It would seem you established a strong mutual understanding.
Michael: Yeah, absolutely. There’s a real synergy there. Alex just gets it—he understands the aesthetic and atmosphere we’re going for, and he brings his own unique vision into the mix. It’s a collaborative process, a back-and-forth of ideas, and he always manages to capture that balance of beauty and darkness that defines Arch Enemy. We’ve developed a great working relationship over the years, and that trust allows us to keep evolving together.
Alexander: Arch Enemy albums always tell a story, my job is to illustrate that story. I've worked with a lot of bands, and each experience has been different. Every band has its own level of input and control when it comes to creating a visual interpretation of their music. Honestly, just like any service industry gig, some customers are a real pain in the ass! Michael Amott has always given the perfect level of direction while keeping the reigns loose enough for me to find the image on my own terms. I ask for early access to lyrics, rough cuts, and any insight into the foundational thoughts and inspiration that lead to the creation of the album. I don't sketch out paintings before I begin (I'm shit at drawing), but I've gotten really good at describing what I see in my head before I start a project.
Once they say "go" I run with it, and I don't stop until they say it's right and I know it's done.
Looking back at when this partnership first started for "Will To Power", what drove you to Alex’s work and what has continued to fuel this audiovisual excellence?
Michael: When we first saw Alex’s work, it had this raw, yet refined, painterly quality that immediately stood out. It felt timeless but also fresh, which is exactly what we aim for in our music. That initial collaboration on "Will To Power" set the tone, and as we’ve continued working together, the vision has only gotten stronger. We’re always looking for ways to expand on what we’ve done before, and Alex brings that same mindset to his art.
Alex, from your perspective, how do you feel that your partnership has evolved?
Alexander: I think every time I've worked on a project with AE, we've both understood a little more of what we need to find an image together. Each experience has been unique and I've gained new skills and learned new techniques by painting with someone else's vision in mind, trying to match the ferocity of their music. I always look forward to working with great artists, and three album covers in a row with Arch Enemy has been amazing. If they decide to go another direction next time around, I will feel satisfied with what I've put down for them. That being said, anytime they ask, I will jump at the opportunity.
Speaking specifically to “Blood Dynasty”, what did you look to achieve upon being presented with creative liberty for the cover illustration? Michael mentions wanting something striking and evocative, which you certainly captured.
Alexander: In Michael's words; "The title Blood Dynasty evokes a sense of a lineage or ruling family marked by violence, conflict, or deep - seated power struggles." He wanted a non-specific twisted royal family in a portrait setting. I wanted them to be scarred and covered in the blood and filth of war and genocide that people with unchecked power profit from and rarely taste. Standing in an ever-rising pool of blood, shed from the hundreds of thousands of men women and children who prop up the shit bird lives of the wealthiest monsters humanity has to offer.
The amount of detail on “Blood Dynasty” is astounding and a grand expansion from the two predecessors. Not to take away anything from “Will To Power” or “Deceivers” (2022), but “Blood Dynasty” feels like a culmination. Musically, Michael feels it’s their most ambitious. How long did the piece take to complete? What are the dimensions? Lucky those who saw it in person in Portland.
Alexander: Michael reached out about starting work on a third album cover on July 1st 2024, I worked my ass off and had it finished by the end of August. The original painting is 24" x 24". This piece had a very clear narrative that involved multiple figures. With so many characters, I had more than enough room to get lost in small details, and I love getting lost in painting small details. I researched historical metals and uniforms from the royal families and ruling classes of multiple nations and went nuts bejeweling their blood-stained bods like satanic Christmas trees.
Alex, you’re closing in on another release alongside Arch Enemy. As an artist centered on pleasing your own creative ambitions first and foremost, what does it mean to you to have essentially built the band’s contemporary visual identity?
Alexander: At the very center of my creative ambitions, is a plan to cheat death by having my artwork survive my own mortality, paired with an urge to spread my personal beliefs like a visual plague. Teaming up with an internationally celebrated and respected band like Arch Enemy gave me a profoundly larger audience to achieve these goals. Getting to forge imagery from the lyrics and sounds of such a powerhouse has been an absolute honor.
Arch Enemy remains old school in that you invest greatly in the physical release through a variety of vinyl options, exquisite merch selection, and a booklet with additional artwork among other things. How significant is it for you to establish a cohesive visual identity for Blood Dynasty and place value on the physical release? It’s easy to dismiss this element, especially in today’s streaming dominance.
Michael: That’s true, we’ve always believed in the power of the physical format. There’s something special about holding a record in your hands, flipping through the artwork, reading the lyrics—it makes the listening experience more immersive. We do put a lot of effort into making our physical releases special, whether it’s through exclusive vinyl variants, elaborate packaging, or expanded artwork. It’s all part of the world-building that goes into an album like 'Blood Dynasty'. Streaming is great for accessibility, but there’s still a strong audience that appreciates the tangible experience of music, and we love catering to that.
Continuing that note, Arch Enemy has always emphasized the need for great artwork on a release. Niklas Sundin’s "Anthems of Rebellion" cover is still ingrained in my mind after decades. What role do you feel that the arts play in contemporary death metal and metal overall?
Michael: It plays a huge role. Metal, especially extreme metal, is about more than just the music—it’s an entire aesthetic. Great artwork enhances the experience and helps define the identity of an album. The best covers become iconic, tied forever to the music itself. It’s something that’s always been important to Arch Enemy, from the early days with Niklas Sundin to our work now with Alex Reisfar. The visual side of things should be just as compelling and powerful as the music.
Alex, what do you take from this entire experience? Though your work has circulated the metal ranks for some time across other major label and underground projects (i.e, Tool, Mastodon, Polyphia), your work with Arch Enemy has been at the forefront of their heights.
Alexander: Working on with Arch enemy has always felt like a true collaboration, this project was no exception. Michael Amott is a great dude. He is a brutal force of nature with a guitar, and is still humble and kind. Arch Enemy continues to kick ass, and I love this album. I think I've been able to succeed on these past three album covers because they give me a direction, and trust me to capture what they are trying to convey, and I'm very thankful for that.
In closing, what role do you feel the arts play in contemporary metal and its many subgenres? I’d argue that cover wise, you’ve been among the most memorable and consistent in recent years because you “get it”, in my opinion. You value the power of the cover and the power that art has to engage an audience.
Alexander: First of all, thank you for saying that. It means a great deal to me! Good real album art has the power to convey the overall theme of an album with a single image. Anybody who sees the front cover of "Reign in Blood" (1986) or "South of Heaven" (1988), knows without ever hearing a note, that music is going to scare the shit out of some people and make the rest of us feel the burning fire of our good friend Lucifer deep down in our heathen hearts. (Of course, some album art is more brutal than the actual album. Take Meatloaf's 1977 album "Bat Out of Hell", that shit looks like Motorhead had a baby with Black Sabbath and that demonic baby made an album, then you push play and it sounds like Meatloaf.) Good album art can stop a kid in their tracks, and introduce them to a genre of music that has the power to put them down a path of discovery, enlightenment and empowerment. Real Metal deserves real Album Art, they've always been bedfellows. If they break up the kids are going to be fucked.
Michael, you’ve done it all—toured with a strong selection of legendary acts, released many successful records, influenced so many. In closing, what do you take from it all as you embark upon this latest chapter? Many learning lessons and incredible experiences, I’m sure.
Michael: Thank you, it’s been an incredible journey, and it still is. The biggest takeaway for me is that you never stop learning, you never stop growing. No matter how many records you make or how many tours you do, there’s always something new to discover. Arch Enemy has always been about pushing forward, about evolution, and 'Blood Dynasty' is another step in that ongoing pursuit. At the end of the day, we’re still just passionate musicians who love what we do, and we’re grateful that people connect with it. The fire’s still burning, and there’s plenty more to come.
Blood Dynasty arrives March 28, 2025 via Century Media (Order).
