Alcatraz Line up: 2022

Swedish dance metal masters Amaranthe offer a surprising blend of power metal and melodic death metal. Catchy songs, first-rate production and the unusual vocal mix made ‘Amaranthe’ (2011) a very interesting self-titled debut. Follow-up ‘The Nexus’ (2013) has a very futuristic feel to it and cemented their reputation as one of the hottest young melodic metal bands around. Just one year later they released ‘Massive Addictive’ and apart from recruiting new growler Henrik Englund, they chose to amplify what works in terms of appeal: chugging rhythms, ripping solos, lightning-fast drums, synthesizers and female vocalist Elize Ryd (also Kamelot) take centre stage. On ‘Maximalism’ (2016) they dialled back the heaviness some more to explore the radio-oriented side of their sound. The addition of Nils Molin on clean vocals has given Amaranthe an amazing vocal range: just listen to ‘Helix’ (2018), another classic dance metal album with a harder kick and heavier bite than its predecessors. Fans will look forward to tracks off ‘Manifest’ (2020), the latest addition to their catalogue that plays to the band’s strengths.