Wages of Sin cover

Wages of Sin

Arch Enemy · 2001

48 min · 12 tracks · melodic death metal

Melodic death metal intertwines with soaring vocals and aggressive riffs, creating an intense sonic landscape.

Why this album works

'Wages of Sin' is notable for its commercial success, reaching number 35 on the Swedish albums chart and receiving widespread acclaim from critics. It solidified Arch Enemy's standing in the melodic death metal genre and influenced many subsequent female-fronted metal bands, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
Best for
steady intensity throughout listening soaring vocals for emotional uplift aggressive riffs for cathartic release
Context
Released in 2001, 'Wages of Sin' marked a significant turning point for Arch Enemy as it was their first album featuring vocalist Angela Gossow. This transition reinvigorated their sound and brought them into the international spotlight, establishing Gossow as a prominent figure in the metal scene. The album followed their previous release, 'Burning Bridges,' and showcased a bold evolution in both lyrical themes and musical complexity.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Enemy Within Standout 4:21
  • 2 Burning Angel 4:17
  • 3 Heart of Darkness Standout 4:52
  • 4 Ravenous Standout 4:06
  • 5 Savage Messiah 5:18
  • 6 Snow Bound 1:34
  • 7 Dead Bury Their Dead 3:55
  • 8 Web of Lies 3:56
  • 9 The First Deadly Sin 4:20
  • 10 Behind the Smile 3:28
  • 11 Shadows and Dust 4:28
  • 12 Lament of a Mortal Soul 4:06

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata