Part of the reason I was ecstatic Jeff Loomis was joining the ranks of Arch Enemy was that it would help push the band forward beyond a simple vocalist change. Alissa White-Gluz provided a nice change of pace for the band, but beyond  a new face and some rekindled energy, 2014’s War Eternal was the same old song and dance. Looks like Loomis’ inclusion in the band isn’t changing the routine, either.

Speaking with Malcome Done, guitarist Michael Amott said the following about if Loomis was involved in the writing:

“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?”

While this is disappointing, it’s understandable given how seemingly everyone complains when a band changes things too much. Amott and Arch Enemy’s paranoia is well justified and there’s probably a steady paycheck on the line, as well.

Arch Enemy released “The World is Yours” a few weeks ago. Will to Power comes out everywhere on September 8th. They’ll be on tour with Trivium this fall in North America.