Arch Enemy without Alissa: What comes next – and who could take over the vacant front position

Alissa’s departure from Arch Enemy was only the beginning. Now speculation is exploding: Who will take the vacant throne – and was her new solo project ultimately the real trigger?

The shock over Alissa White-Gluz’s sudden exit from Arch Enemy still runs deep – especially because the split was announced immediately after the grand finale of the Blood Dynasty Tour on November 15 in Düsseldorf. No details, no explanation. Just a brief statement and disabled comments. A clean cut.

But within hours, the picture began to shift:
Alissa unexpectedly released her first solo single, “The Room Where She Died,” complete with video – and simultaneously announced a full solo album. Anyone who thought she might disappear quietly was wrong: the Canadian vocalist clearly has a new plan.

And while some speculate about her future, the metal scene is already debating the future of Arch Enemy.

One name surfaced immediately: Angela Gossow, who propelled Arch Enemy into the metal elite more than 20 years ago. She fronted the band from 2001 to 2014.
Her advantage: she knows the material, the band’s structure, the dynamic – and she has remained closely connected to Arch Enemy as their manager since stepping down.

Her disadvantage: exactly that.

Angela has seemed perfectly comfortable operating behind the scenes for years – strategic, calm, reflective. Her return would be an earthquake, but it’s not impossible. Mythology has power.

The second name being thrown around is surprisingly bold: Johan Liiva, co-founder and vocalist of the band’s first three albums.
Bringing him back would mean reverting to a male frontman – a radical break from the 20-year tradition of women leading Arch Enemy, and a statement that would feel almost conservative.

Musically, Liiva would fit. Strategically, it would be a completely new direction.
In a scene currently debating gender roles, such a move would ignite strong reactions.

Another name appearing frequently in comment sections right now is Britta Görtz, vocalist of Hiraes and a respected extreme-metal vocal coach.
She has the technique, the style, the charisma – and she could be a natural fit for a modern, international melodic death metal band.

From a purely musical perspective, Britta would be a strong choice.
But is Arch Enemy ready to push a relatively “new” voice into the global spotlight? Possibly. And it would be a bold step.

It’s no longer a secret: Alissa was ready for something new.
Her solo debut makes that unmistakable:

• more clean vocals

• she plays guitar

• the aesthetics feel more personal, darker, more narrative

• and appearing in the video: Oliver Palotai, husband of Simone Simons (Epica)

The song sounds like freedom, self-determination, and the voice of an artist who has outgrown stylistic constraints.

Her own words say it all:

“‘The Room Where She Died’ is a song that feels truly satisfying to me; like I get to express myself in so many ways that have been dormant for years.”

It wouldn’t be the first time in metal history that a frontwoman’s creative expansion collided with the limitations of an established band structure.

So the question is legitimate:
Did her solo album accelerate the split – or was it the root cause?
It certainly feels that way.

The most important takeaway from this chaotic weekend is simple: Alissa isn’t retreating. She’s rising.

Her solo album reveals an artist who wants more than what her role in Arch Enemy allowed. She now embraces her full vocal spectrum: clean, harsh, narrative, experimental.

Releasing a single mere hours after the breakup is no coincidence.
It’s a message. A very clear one.

The band is now facing a crucial decision:

• continue the path shaped by Angela and later Alissa – meaning strong, iconic female voices

• return to the male vocals of their early era

• or establish a completely new voice and enter a new chapter

Whatever happens next will define the future character of the band.

Note: This article was created with assistance from AI tools. Topic selection, analysis, and final editing were carried out by Dark Divas.