In 2014, Arch Enemy guitarist Nick Cordle left the band, and was shockingly replaced by ex-Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis. Loomis didn't join in the time to contribute to the band's 2014 album War Eternal, so speculation began to circulate as to how much he'd contribute to whatever came next.
Arch Enemy has since announced its new album Will To Power, and in an interview with Journalist Malcolm Dome, guitarist and founder Michael Amott says Loomis didn't contribute anything to the album. Not because he refused to contribute or because he couldn't come up with ideas, but instead Amott says it's because he was afraid Loomis' style would change Arch Enemy's sound.
"No. I mean, he's a strong songwriter, but not in the style of Arch Enemy, I feel. He's always writing and recording with his own stuff. He has a project called Conquering Dystopia, he has his solo stuff, [and] he obviously wrote most of the Nevermore stuff. I've always respected him, and continue to respect him, as a guitar player — he's amazing and an amazing human being; he fits in perfectly. [There's] a great chemistry [between us]. But, you know, I've always written most of the music, so it's difficult to… I don't really wanna change the sound of the band too much. The band sort of started around my songwriting and my ideas, and those continue to be the most dominant ones, I guess. But, you know, who knows [what can happen] in the future?"
Interesting. You'd assume the whole purpose of getting someone like Jeff Loomis on board with your band is to have the dude contribute his incredibly writing talent. Though on the flip side, I haven't successfully built up a band formed in 1996 to a multi-national touring machine either. So what the hell do I know?
[via Blabbermouth]
