ARCH ENEMY | Handshake With Hell | Metal Musician Reaction

[@NikNocturnal]

*Smash like because music is cool*

[@iconicfury]

Smashed like for the cleans. Don't have to listen to ancient music to hear Alyssa cleans finally

[@stationdisatrous647]

I love Arch Enemy. Thank you for reacting to this song. It is amazing! 🤩 BTW, love your channel. Keep it up. You're awesome!

[@samm_fiitness]

check out the new TDWP? i thinks its siclkkk

[@worshipguitardictionary7677]

Music is obviously cool 😎.

[@_.10.cents._]

BRO YOU GOTTA CHECK KORNS NEW ALBUM

[@ItsJustMetrion]

Ok, not gonna lie. I didn't expect that kind of rollercoaster for an Arch Enemy song! Feeling a little bit blown away with this one!

[@nemesis8626]

I'm guessing you don't listen to them much then? Because there music always has alot of layers to the melody's and solo's, or do you just meen because it has cleans in it

[@ItsJustMetrion]

@@nemesis8626 From my knowledge Arch Enemy isn't really known for having cleans in their songs, that's one reason!

[@dominikweber4305]

@@ItsJustMetrion there was a song by them called reason to believe which also featured cleans

[@HOTHEADmkIII]

This is exactly what I've been waiting for since Alyssa joined Arch Enemy. Absolute banger.

[@protege1717]

Alissa*

[@reezlaw]

This is what people FEARED when she joined. They certainly eased it in, no cleans for years and then BAM lmao

[@metalhead6783]

@@reezlaw Feared are you fucking kidding me? It fits well in this song. Plus it's still the only song woth cleans so far on this album with 4 singles out. Don't come at me with that angela shit either. Angela is goddamn amazing but you do know she litterally manages the band which 100% means she likes the cleans too. And brought Alissa in lol. Edit: i'm not sure what i was thinking honestly. I was just in a very pissed of mood i guess. I don't even really listen to Arch Enemy that much.

[@reezlaw]

@@metalhead6783 calm down fanboy

[@metalhead6783]

@@reezlaw Don't know what i was thinking damn. I'm not even that big of a fan of Arch Enemy. Had a horrible day yesterday sorry that i kinda got pissed because of it🤣

[@josuediaz3123]

Producer: How early do you want your guitar solo? Michael Amott: YES

[@Gary_a_normal_human_being]

How many do you want: YES

[@michaelsaliani9441]

As a fan of Alissa from the Agonist days, I am SO glad they brought her cleans into Arch Enemy. They just fit so well.

[@sabrinateixeira762]

Arch enemy will never sound like the agonist unique music

[@brucelai7]

Yeah finally!

[@azidihaqeem7882]

Alissa goes with post hardcore metalcore mode on👏👍🔥🤘🎸💯😁😎

[@AnthonyWabo]

It was such a mistake not using them, she had probably the best female voice in metal on Thank You Pain

[@michaelsaliani9441]

@@sabrinateixeira762 very unique, they still are actually, not to do any kind of disservice to Nikki, but Alissa made the Agonist special.

[@pescegerman]

songs like this reminds me every time why metal is never going to die

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

@Dragon Ball fans can't read You spend too much time on this channel for someone who doesn't like anything it has to offer. Same with Alex Hefner.

[@benwise9081]

@Dragon Ball fans can't read Obscura came out in 98 and is better than both bro

[@jasonlovesmusicreacting882]

@Dragon Ball fans can't read Okay, boomer.

[@dowden6165]

@Dragon Ball fans can't read imagine spending all your free time to bash on every metal reaction video.

[@dominikweber4305]

@Dragon Ball fans can't read if you would kindly shut up

[@joepalladino9257]

Arch Enemy never disappoints. I am loving the cleans.

[@bkarle4570]

Yeah, they managed to do it such that it was a surprise and it didn't feel too out of place. I just hope they don't overuse them. When someone mentions AE, I think death metal, I'm not expecting power metal cleans and such.

[@preston2636]

They consistently dissapoint me. I liked the other single though. I'm not disappointed Alyssa or Jeff or their paychecks. I'm disappointed they're hired guns for the Mike ammot show.

[@preston2636]

Serious how pretentious must one be to hire Jeff Loomis and make him play rhythm guitar lmfao think about that

[@TobikunOuO]

@@bkarle4570 Gluz has an amazing voice i'm glad she can finally use her whole range.

[@TobikunOuO]

@@preston2636 jeff chose to join.

[@Izzy88izzy]

Imagine having a beast like Jeff Loomis and giving him only 4 bars for soloing, and he still rips it up like a fucking bulldozer

[@dominikweber4305]

Poor guy never gets solos in arch enemy

[@terrinpeterson9899]

I don't understand how you can have the guy who played lead guitar in Nevermore playing fucking rhythm in ANY band, they need to realize that Jeff has way more under his belt than simple chord progressions and easy melodies. I liked the song but damn it Man.

[@danielnelson4881]

@@terrinpeterson9899 In all fairness, he agreed to play rhythm? I'm assuming because they already had a lead guitarist? It'd just be rude as hell to go up in there and be like: "No offense but... You're soloing.... ...I really need to be soloing.... I don't want to say instead of you. But.... Instead of you. Like, this next solo part here? Yeah, I'll go ahead and take that. No problem mate, you're welcome. What d'ya mean you weren't thanking me? Don't be cheeky or I'll take all of your solos! Haha! Yeah! .....Yeah..... ... ... ... ... I'll probably do that anyway though if we're being honest." You'd have to be a real Dbag... an Nsack even. But then again I don't know if Arch Enemy did have another lead guitarist to begin with and you were just commenting on the type of guitar work he's been doing in Arch Enemy, not that he's the literal "Rhythm Guitarist" of the band. I have always thought Arch Enemy was God awful, uninspired BS, who's only merit was that they had a chick for a vocalist, which never happens in metal... Might be a good thing... She's awful too imo (nothing against anyone who disagrees).

[@terrinpeterson9899]

@@danielnelson4881 Well of course that's not what I'm saying he should do, but Arch Enemy also hasn't been letting Jeff clearly do what he's best at and that's soloing, Michael Amott (lead guitar) just got to solo like 4 times in this song and then Jeff got barely any time to play other than all the rhythm. Add it up, listen to all of their music, they're not utilizing someone who should be utilized constantly in this genre.

[@diegooliveira5461]

Jeff is like a caged monster in AE.

[@Downsider24]

Fun fuckin' track, honestly. Looking forward to more. Cleans were quite the surprise.

[@Hexand]

So happy to hear Alyssa doing the type of techniques that she was doing in The Agonist. I was really missing it.

[@sabrinateixeira762]

But it will never sound like the agonist

[@mangopie7602]

@@sabrinateixeira762 are you just going to spellcheck everyone and say it'll not sound like The Agonist? They're not even saying it sounds like The Agonist, they're just saying that they're glad to see her doing what she did back then

[@kurist9443]

@@mangopie7602 i feel like hes saying that cause alissa had a realy unique scream and clean in the agonist and she will prob never do it again and its kinda sad

[@akshatpurohit4367]

Cleans were a beautiful surprise. I remember her clean singing from Reason To Believe. Awesome track!!!!!

[@TobikunOuO]

Listen to the Agonist when she was still the vocalist

[@calvintabor5734]

He was talking about classic rock at the beginning and I think her singing voice really suits that style. She's got a real classic Joan Jett/ Pat Benatar singing voice. Not sure I've heard anything like that in this genre and I dig it

[@ChainsawChristmas]

Check out Monochromatic Black. Their singer crushes this. Insane range they only a woman could reach.

[@milosch666]

After hearing Alissa's cleans I lowkey want a feature with Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. I think their voices would match perfectly!

[@Dani-fz8jc]

Dude all the Lzzy Hale vibes!!!

[@peterisSOmyhero]

YEEESS!!!!

[@Drummerboy-yb8th]

One of the best Arch Enemy songs I've heard in awhile! It's a smacker!

[@justforprojects5774]

FIIIIINAAAAAALLYYYYYYY they used Alyssa's beautiful cleans in Arch Enemy. Best song they've released in years fuuuuckkkk yes. Alyssa is finally shinning to the full extent of her talent

[@SH-zg8zs]

The clean vocals really took me by surprise, not what I would have expected from Arch Enemy, but hell yeah, the song grows with every time listening.

[@ayejimbae8068]

Spoilers bro.

[@dinsceravs2374]

First Arch song w cleans right?

[@wolfy_with_a_y]

@@dinsceravs2374 second, Reason To Believe from Will To Power was the first

[@reality8o]

Yoooo, this reminds me of how sad I was when Alissa left The Agonist worrying about never hearing her cleans again. Never expected that in an Arch Enemy song. This was a rollercoaster. Super sick!

[@kevinw.4599]

Finally she sings clean! Missed this since she leaves The Agonist to join Arch Enemy!

[@thelonewolf7443]

This is hands down my favorite song by Arch Enemy. I’ve said for a while to give Alyssa some cleans in a song (not just one verse), and I know that isn’t their main identity. If it’s Death Metal growls 100% of the time I can’t get into it that well. Overall my guess before Nik gave his final review was 4.5 out 5. I hope they give this idea of a mix of cleans/growls more opportunities in future songs.

[@mrsimbz7023]

I'm not a massive fan, but "Nemesis" and "Dead bury their dead" are sooooooo far from this....I respect your opinion, but for me, this is very generic, it just doesn't flow, when Nik goes "oh, solo already" and then the solo is just noodling....Not one for me, but AE are top tier, just not feeling this record.

[@hendrikkiefer3325]

@@mrsimbz7023 same, even Alyssa has better AE songs like Avalanche, As The pages burn,...

[@williamle9719]

Did they actually let Alissa sing clean? That's a nice change

[@TheBlackcredo]

Power metal suits them. I lost interest in them for many years, but now they've got my attention again.

[@andrewsharpe7630]

I've never been sold on Arch Enemy, but I do appreciate what they've been doing. Alyssa is a good clean singer, they should have been adding cleans to their songs as soon as she joined. Waste of her talent not to.

[@MrDjentlegiant]

Agreed

[@protege1717]

Alissa*

[@HeckinMoonMoon]

Agree completely. So many songs they released with her could have been enhanced with the cleans imo

[@mortenfrederiksen3063]

Hard disagree, they should make the music the want to make, cleans or not🤘

[@natec4743]

I think the slow transition to incorporate her cleans work for an established band like AE. Personally wished there were more cleans last album, hoping this isn't the only song with prominent cleans.

[@CloudyNebula]

An absolute beast of a song, I have been having the blast of a lifetime with it. I'd gladly pay for a full album made entirely with songs such as Handshake With Hell and House of Mirrors. I love how this song brings back a huge 80's vibe in form, structure and energy. It's a kind of sound that is not so common anymore nowadays, and I am super into it. The way Arch Enemy blends that with their own sound makes it feel revitalized and a breath of fresh air to me. To some extent, it's what I dig from bands such as Unleash the Archers, albeit with a different approach. I also love the duality of this song and how the calm, melodic and sort of mellow sections build up to explosions of metal energy. Here Arch Enemy mixes this brutality and beauty in one really cohesive package that is topped off with a truly classic feel on the solos.

[@japasds4698]

Nik, korn released they new album Requiem, dont know if you already seen it, but if you didn't, can you react to "Worst Is On Its Way" ? Or the entire album if you want :)

[@Alex-hr1ml]

The most original arch enemy song in a while. That's the way.

[@joedimaggio7728]

I never expected to hear some power metal like elements in arch enemies music, and I have to say this song was fuckibg incredible!

[@espalexi666]

It only took them like 15 years, but they finally put out something different

[@VicariousLord]

17 Years, but yeah, they really did lose their way with generic material

[@nightblade4713]

I don't care if it's 600 years of the same style, if it's style that i vibe with, i'll listen

[@1984xeper]

Still would love if they would unleash the Loomis always feels like he is on a leash. If they keep the mix between growls and cleans I'm ok with it, but they should experiment more with song structures getting a little stale

[@mikem.7921]

Mike will always dominate on guitars it's just the way it is

[@apexconnexion]

Agree, you'd think with Amott and Loomis on axes we would be cracking the earth and unleashing hellions on the world of men... sensing Jeff is walking the check to the bank on this, despite it being a great song and distinctly Arch Enemy.

[@mikem.7921]

@@apexconnexion Christopher had many more solo's in AE than Loomis has

[@MaestroJericho]

Chris Amott leads were a lot more memorable too. Andy James has more leads in freaking Five Finger Death Punch than Jeff Loomis in AE.

[@hendrikkiefer3325]

True

[@ilikepans]

Arch Enemy also brings quality. So good.

[@theopinson3851]

This is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases this year!

[@dmphax]

This and The Halo Effect. :)

[@hendrikkiefer3325]

Yeah no

[@genshinunleashed8455]

I have been a fan of arch enemy since the early 90s...i have never seen this kind of range with them... Loved it.. Glad they are evolving in a good way after all this time.

[@fluffytoaster427]

This feels like if Killswitch and Bodom made an evil baby

[@thelonewolf7443]

Potentially Howard Jones in Children of Bodom? Now that’s a unique comparison.

[@Georgian.A-Music]

Remind me of “thank you pain” by the agonist. She used both cleans and roars. Which is fucking awesome

[@justinwearn620]

Amazing song, Alissa has brought a great voice and style the way Angela brought it in her era. STOKED for this record

[@MiguelReyes-of1hf]

That voice... mesmerizing, and then the solo hits!!!

[@Nestorglass]

Arch Enemy with Alissa doing cleans and Jeff Loomis doing solos is all the Arch Enemy I want now

[@dominikweber4305]

Nah i still want angela and christopher back

[@Nestorglass]

@@dominikweber4305 not gonna happen anytime soon it seems, they're bigger than more varied than ever I get where you're coming from tho, I'd rather have Loomis form a spiritual successor to Nevermore instead of this, but I'll take it.

[@scarseven7855]

@@dominikweber4305 lol

[@ZackMorse]

Her cleans from back in her Agonist days were always impressive ... I'm glad she's getting to showcase more of her range and vocal abilities as her career with them continues.

[@kevincomellas4908]

I'm glad Loomis is in a band that does well and is making money....but! It is such a crime against humanity how much he is stifled with Arch Enemy. He's literally one of the best musicians in the metal scene (skill and writing) and it's like they just don't use him.

[@MrDmadness]

Agree 100%

[@Kotsoros37]

Nice to hear Alyssa do cleans again! Fun track!

[@sully.2435]

I like it. I don’t know if you noticed but the beginning of the last solo after the clean vocal breakdown sounds almost exactly like the “One” solo by Metallica. I’m seeing them in April in St. Petersburg Florida. Can’t wait.

[@jasonlovesmusicreacting882]

How much were tickets? I’m thinking of buying for that date!

[@sully.2435]

@@jasonlovesmusicreacting882 I bought them literally an hour after they went on sale. I got them for $35 a piece. It’s general admission.

[@Soloist_92]

Alyssa’s clean vocals are too good to not use them

[@Sikthy]

Oh wow Cleans in an arch enemy song and there catchy as hell too literally Alissa White-Gluz really bringing some new elements to arch enemy i think a handshake in hell is well deserved take me me to hell right now \m/

[@TimeLordReturns]

"The Lamborghini's out of the garage. Let's go Jeff." Best description for anything Loomis is involved in.

[@gastonpossel]

loved the cleans, and loved that back-to-INFLAMES-from-the-90s-melodeath chorus (seriously, the bridge+chorus combo gave me memories of Sinergy)

[@cotomaznaczyc]

"the lamborgini's out of the garage now. let's go Jeff". almost died. lol

[@jongalletero]

Alissa's clean unexpected it's awsome!!!

[@numetalhistorian]

Loomis is a Legendary Legend of the highest magnitude. Even Michael has said in interviews that he has to basically "contain him" and don't let him write AA stuff because Jeff is "too good." I agree.

[@dirkvandereyken2312]

Alissa's looking great and it's soooo great to hear her amazing clean vocals again! Let's hope they'll be letting her do more of this on future tracks.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

holy hell, first off i wanna say i'm loving all the experimentation going on, there is shaking up and there is SHAKING. UP! secondly cleans from Alyssa?? 😍

[@Embersword281]

bout time we have Cleans!! Alyssa always brought great cleans to the Agonist so it's good to hear em in Arch Enemy finally!

[@Owlr4ider]

Was very surprised by the stylistic change in this new single, showcasing Alissa's entire range for a change. Was great as Alissa is an incredibly talented singer, it's nice to hear her entire range every now and than rather than just the growls, which don't get me wrong are magnificent.

[@CJFromGroveSt09]

I've always liked her cleans that she had with The Agonist, and I almost had a heart attack when I heard this. I literally listen to this at least once a day.

[@jsmallsawe]

Super good! The only knock I have against Arch Enemy is that they don't give Jeff Loomis many solos... Come on, he's only one of the best guitar players in the world, lol

[@DeathProof132]

can't have him showing up Amott I guess lol

[@nemesis8626]

@@DeathProof132 he wouldn't show up Amott they would he, they could both literally play anything on the guitar they're talent levels are top tier, choosing a favourite would just be completely subjective as there skill levels are practically the same

[@schism4623]

I loved this song so much at first listen that I had to pause it and go back before finishing it in its entirity and all the time I was thinking:"Nik Nocturnal MUST react to this!!!". Not disappointed! 💜🦇

[@Mattis_FH]

Best Arch Enemy track to date. Damn, those vocals made my day.

[@krenzzie7290]

Okay this song is actually insane

[@xsodykgameplaysyreviews]

Its just awesome that Alyssa is clean singing again and that Arch Enemy allow her to do it. It adds a whole new vibe to the band that i personally dig super hard lml

[@wmxx2000]

I really dig it. I was kinda bummed we have to wait till the summer for the album but these songs they released are great.

[@digitalmouse3314]

It's a fire track I freaking love it going into regular playlist now she I missed her cleans from her old band still a fan of The Agonist I was super happy about her getting picked for Arch Enemy a fantastic replacement for Angela.

[@thomasstahel1029]

I’m getting old but Arch Enemy doesn’t age. Still fresh from the well of eternal youth

[@regor5150]

SO HAPPY to hear her cleans again! Have been missing them since The Agonist days. Nik, have you heard The World Is Yours? My favorite Arch Enemy song 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@fartvader84yearsago8]

Killer track, love the band but i still feel like having Loomis in Arch Enemy is like driving a Ferrari inside a mall 😩😩😩. Anyways, loved the reaction Nik.

[@golvmoppski]

damn it was ages ago i heard new cleans from her in a song, still listen to thank you pain to this day over a decade later

[@Mass-produced]

That was FAST!

[@bkarle4570]

I'm sure he got early access to it.

[@cmdrdiamondfast1162]

Loved the cleans hope it's something they play with a bit more. The whole song was fucking amazing no ands ifs or buts about it.

[@OwocowyMr]

the clean vocals are the reason this is my favorite Arch Enemy song, despite still being quite recent (came out only 2 years ago while writing this comment). Alyssa is great at screaming, but when the cleans come in, she's untouchable, like an angel trapped inside a demon that occasionally finds a way to come out and show its powerful beauty. i might've gotten carried away a little bit there, but that's just how i feel and that's the beauty of music - it makes you feel

[@therevanchistv]

I've been waiting years for her to do cleans I'm so happy she's introducing them into AE her cleans are so good.

[@Sinfullybliss97]

Jeff Loomis is such a badass and they really never disappoint

[@nemesis8626]

I don't really listen to a ton of Archy Enemy anymore but occasionally, either way they remain one of the best live bands I've ever seen back from when they toured doomsday music, not many guitarists can rival them in terms of virtuosity

[@jasondavid3969]

Wow love this. Always wanted her to mix up the vocals and they were great. And those abs! 😍😜😂😎🇬🇧

[@Papabogs1020]

Alissa's scream - 😈😈😈 her clean vocals - 😇😇😇

[@hey_harris89]

I see a Nik Noc video and I click the watch button. I've already watched the music video like 4 times already but Nils reactions are totally worth watching it again. I think this might be my favourite of the three they've released so far.

[@roaddogg800]

2022 is turning out to be an excellent year for music! All these new Arch Enemy tracks are epic! The new Amorphis is also banging! And have you heard the new Landmarvks track "Death".... Just amazing!

[@tooernn]

This song is a little to bit "powermetal" for my taste, but it still Arch enemy so its still dope as f. They are so bloody talent!

[@Alex-Walker]

Arch Enemy are power metal af with DM spices now and then.

[@dominikweber4305]

@@Alex-Walker they weren't when angela was still singing

[@joedimaggio7728]

@@Alex-Walker honestly exactly what I thought about their newer stuff. Power metal with death metal vocals but still loving it both eras.

[@saberruntv]

Funny how alicia left the agonist to escape from clean vocals in metalcore. And now she's doing that with arch enemy xD

[@worshipguitardictionary7677]

He did again, introducing me to new bands. Bro I lovin that intro soo much. I dig it. It was very good the whole track. That Guitar work makes me wanna cry 😭soo damn good. Thanks nik.

[@tfrancis101]

Those cleans are like little pieces of heaven. This band is amazing

[@LordFelix312]

So there was a lot of amazing music this year, but this is definitely my release of the year 2022!

[@domiissartier2774]

Digging the old school metal sound and yes, her cleans are superb...

[@fernandasoares200]

Starting laughing / finishing WTFFFFFF Alissa is a queen! Great reaction!

[@DoShawn]

this song 100% needs to be the opener for any tour moving forward

[@the_haunting_]

Alyssa's voice in those cleans tho..... Damn.... She's amazing. Also I feel much bad at guitar now....

[@TomWilliams134]

Excited for this album and the tour this spring

[@georgetowles3704]

WoW!! they left nothing to chance with guitars and volcals in that one a banger for sure even catching alittle Lita Ford in her cleans🤘🤘🤘

[@mikeh6286]

Jeff's solo was out of this world. Michael's work was amazing. Heavy vocals nasty! All 10/10. I can enjoy the cleans in the bridge but the chorus cleans are not my cup of tea. If they ever release a heavy chorus version it will go straight to the top of my playlist! In the meantime I'm looking for a version with only instrumentals in the chrous. 🔥🔥🔥 Makes me want to learn editing and vocal isolation.

[@JordanExplores97]

I really, really enjoyed this and just newer Arch Enemy stuff. It's not very special but its straight and to the point heavy metal and honestly, that's all I can ask for.

[@RagingSorrowDR]

ngl, this song has one of the best solo melody and harmonies I've heard in quite a while

[@enzogendel7709]

this song is a fucking masterpiece, and arch enemy as a band is a fucking masterpiece. I heard alissa at agonist about 10 years ago, also i heard jeff when he was in nevermore, and appart, i heard arch enemy with angela. I think, this version of arch enemy is the best of all times, with jeff and alissa in their best moments.

[@Gary_a_normal_human_being]

4:35 priceless reaction

[@somebody6611]

U r got da gae

[@Gary_a_normal_human_being]

@@somebody6611 i bet you loose against easy videogame bosses

[@piercesamwcula]

This is my favorite track from them, omg her cleans are beautiful

[@jthompson1080]

I've been into this bamd since 2004 and now my favorite guitarist is in there, Jeff Loomis!!! He is an AMAZING GUITARIST!!

[@wesdillon7915]

Those Cleans Though All Hail The Queen 🤘😎

[@donVisiore]

"My guitar just spit at me" That was too relatable :D

[@KreepaweedZ23]

This reminds me to listen to more Arch Enemy. Thanks Nocturnal!!! 🤟

[@cobo1316]

Bro! I love every aspect of this song. This is the formula Arch Enemy needs to follow. Keep the cleans mixed in and let Alissa do her thing.

[@lancebloke]

Liked! Loved the clean vocals in this one!! Have you done a reaction/review of Under the Influence by Rusty Cooley. Some... solid guitar work in that.

[@HaraldSchwermetall]

Definitifly a awesome masterpiece! Makes me speachless. I love the eye-catcher Alissa with her growl or (beautiful) clean or soft voice. It is not the 1st time for Arch Enemy. Yes it's true, the song "Reason to Believe" on album WILL TO POWER with clean voice. I think it was a long overdue step, use the full potential of her voice. Btw. who designs her fuckin' outfits?

[@pancakeburglar9361]

Straight up banger! Best melo death band, Alissa continues to crush it!

[@rydarthur4485]

Finally they let her sing!🤘😀

[@peachygaming9850]

I got goosebumps when her cleans came in😍😍