What makes The Root of All Evil by Arch Enemy notable?

The Root of All Evil received positive reviews from critics, notably appearing on several year-end lists and cementing Arch Enemy's reputation in the metal community. The album debuted at number 42 on the Swedish charts and helped to further popularize the band's unique blend of melody and aggression in heavy music. Released on September 28, 2009, The Root of All Evil marks Arch Enemy's return to the studio after a three-year hiatus following their critically acclaimed album, Rise of the Tyrant. This record also features new arrangements of older tracks from their earlier albums, showcasing the band’s evolution and mature sound as they solidified their position in the melodic death metal scene.

Who is The Root of All Evil for?

The Root of All Evil works well if you're into dynamic journey with intense peaks, relentless melodic riffs throughout and engaging headbanging energy.

How many songs are on The Root of All Evil?

The Root of All Evil has 13 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

The Root of All Evil

Arch Enemy · 2009

52 min · 13 tracks · melodic death metal

A relentless barrage of melodic riffs and intricate solos underpins fierce growls, creating a haunting yet powerful sonic landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Beast of Man — This track showcases Arch Enemy's signature blend of melodic hooks with aggressive riffing, encapsulating their style while addressing themes of humanity's darker aspects.
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Bury Me an Angel — Originally featured on their earlier work, this reimagined version exemplifies the band's ability to reinterpret classic material with fresh energy and technical prowess.
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Bridge of Destiny — This lengthy closing track combines atmospheric elements with intense instrumentation, providing a dramatic conclusion that highlights the band's musical range and thematic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodic elements and solid craftsmanship but lacks some cohesion due to its varied pacing.

What we noticed

The album opens with an intro track that sets a dark tone, followed by a sequence of high-energy songs that rarely dip below fast tempos.
Melodic guitar riffs are consistently layered over aggressive drumming, creating a dense sound that features intricate solos throughout.
Several tracks incorporate shifts in dynamics, such as 'Bury Me an Angel,' which contrasts softer verses with explosive choruses.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with intense peaks
relentless melodic riffs throughout
engaging headbanging energy
for late-night drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer mellow, calming sounds
want instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — It solidified Arch Enemy's reputation after a hiatus and received positive critical reception.
Career context: Released on September 28, 2009, The Root of All Evil marks Arch Enemy's return to the studio after a three-year hiatus following their critically acclaimed album, Rise of the Tyrant. This record also features new arrangements of older tracks from their earlier albums, showcasing the band’s evolution and mature sound as they solidified their position in the melodic death metal scene.
Stylistic neighbors: In Flames· Soilwork· Dark Tranquillity