On Arch Enemy’s press day, and I got an opportunity to chat with bassist Sharlee D’Angelo. Sharlee brought stability to Arch Enemy as they, previous to his arrival, had a revolving door in the basssist position. Preceding D’Angelo were Martin Bengtsson (1997-1998), Dick Lövgren (touring bassist1999), and Roger Nilsson (touring bassist 1999-2000). Sharlee has played with numerous bands throughout his career before settling in with Arch Enemy. For instance, he’s still a member of Mercyful Fate, with the legendary King Diamond. It was a pleasure to interview Sharlee as he was gracious and humble. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I had conducting it.

How did you get involved with music? Were your parents supportive of you getting into the music business?  What are some of your influences?  Is there anything in your record collection that would surprise some of the metal fans?

Yeah, well my parents were both into jazz music. So my introduction into music was jazz, but they were into other things as well. They’d also play Neil Diamond, Simon and Garfunkel, and Elton John. Things like that. It was a melting pot of music, really. Then later on, when my brother got into music, it was the classic rock stuff, like Deep Purple, Rainbow, and things like that. Of course, we can’t forget the metal influence at the time like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. I just soaked all that up. I’m proud to have had that exposure to very different kinds of music. My parents were supportive of me following my dream. Is there money in this business? Not particularly, but they were supportive and never tried to stop me from following my dream. My influences? Well as I said, there is Rainbow, Purple, Sabbath, Priest, but I also love British rock. The whole scene really just appealed to me. For me though, the epiphany came, like with a lot of people, when I first encountered KISS. I know what some people might say. There are better musicians, better song writers, but as a young kid, you’re so impressionable that what they were doing was so completely out of this world. I was like “what is this?” To me, it was like getting the great comic book and the good music all in one. As for surprises in my record collection, I think that depends on how narrow minded you are. (Laughs) I have Simon and Garkunkel albums, Neil Diamond’s Greatest Hits, Kate Bush records (I’m a big fan of hers), The Jam, Ultra Vox, The Police. I love The Police. They are one of my favorites. My record collection is quite diverse.

You’re juggling a number of bands like Witchery, Mercyful Fate, and Arch Enemy. Does it get overwhelming having so many irons in the fire?

Well, I like staying busy. That’s a good question. (Pauses) I think it hasn’t become overwhelming or stressful until one of the other bands want to do a tour. I’m committed to Arch Enemy at this time at it is my main band. So if I went into the studio for example, we could be in writing mode for Arch Enemy and I could be recording a Mercyful Fate record and a Witchery album and can manage that just fine. The problem would be if Witchery want to tour, while Arch Enemy is recording or something like that. That would be a great deal of stress. I have been lick so far and haven’t encountered too many problems juggling various projects. I like to work, whether it’s playing live, recording or writing I love it.

Isn’t about time for a Mercy album? 

(Laughs) You know I was thinking about this the other day. Right now Mercy has been away on quite a long hiatus. Longer than they did when they broke up. I’d love to do another album and tour. Right now King Diamond is promoting his new album and he’s planning live dates that run through 2008. I’m going to be on the road for a while as well, I have no idea what the other guys’ schedules are. We’ll do another record for sure, I just don’t know when. I have a place in my heat for Mercy they were one of my favorite bands and to have a chance to play some of the songs that I used to listen to in my bedroom? That’s a dream come true, and to be given the opportunity to record original music with Mercyful Fate?  How lucky can a guy get, you know? (Laughs)

What’s it like working for King Diamond? Is he really into the occult? I know there are people that play the part, it’s image, then there are those that live it, then there are those that take it a step further. I’ve had an opportunity to interview him; he’s a pleasant man to talk to. Gentle, polite soft spoken.  

With King Diamond you will not find a more kind, gentle polite individual. As for his beliefs? Well they are different than most people. He’s not doing anything extreme, he has his beliefs and they are part of his identity He lives and lets live, for example let’s say if I were a Christian, he would not have a problem accepting me despite our very different beliefs. He would not try to debate me about what my religion is or is not, he’s private and respectful. The extreme stuff like sacrificing, burning churches and things alike that is madness.

Arch Enemy have just issued their 4^th album with singer Angela Gossow in the band. Does it bother you that she is still by considered by some as the new singer?  

Well for some people she could still be the new singer to us Angela is the voice of Arch Enemy we have done so much recording with her that it’s just the band you know? It doesn’t bother me if people consider Angela this or that, because these people probably aren’t fans. They’d have to come see the live show and see if they walk out with that same idea. I think people can be very narrow minded, they sometimes don’t even know what they are talking about. (Laughs)

So you think that the fans have come to accept Angela as the singer?

Exactly. The fans have accepted Angela. They know we didn’t get her as our singer because she’s a woman or we wanted to drawn male fans. We got the best person to front this band. We love Johan, he’s a great person and great singer, but Johan is a shy person. Angela is a great singer, she has a lot of energy and she has stage presence, if you’ve seen her live you’ll know what I mean. She doesn’t stand in place she moves around and knows how to get the audience into the show. There are people that did not walk into a show an Arch Enemy fan but left as one.  

It’s not a gimmick. Angela can hold her own.

Right it’s not a gimmick. At the time people didn’t know that she was even a woman. People would hear a song off Wages of Sin and they couldn’t tell, they assumed it was a guy. So could you imagine their surprise when they found out the singer had tits?! (Laughs) Angela is always working on her voice, she’s grown as a singer and with each album her vocal gets better and better. She’s very dedicated and works hard.

Christopher Amott returned to the band, which is great news to the die-hard fans. How did this come to be? Last I heard he was going back to school, is that correct? How much did he contribute in terms of writing to Rise of the Tyrant? 

Christopher left the band; some people thought that he took a sabbatical or something like that. Christopher had grown tired of touring and the music business; he felt that he needed to doe something different with his life. We all asked that he think it over before he made a permanent decision, maybe even taking a break from the band. Christopher is an emotional person. He chose to follow his heart He felt that he needed to go and he left. We didn’t want to see him go, but we couldn’t stop doing what we needed to do. We had to press on. We didn’t know if we’d replace him or not, I think we hoped he’d come back, but we really weren’t sure if he would be back or not. Christopher came back to Arch Enemy after the album had been written and when had already went into the studio, so he didn’t get a chance to contribute to the writing of the album, but his contribution in terms of guitar playing and the melodies is like old times. We were excited to have him back and he really found that he missed Arch Enemy.

You worked once again with Fredrik Nordström on Rise of the Tyrant. How was it reuniting with Fredrik? If I recall there was a rumor back when Wages of Sin was recorded that he was hesitant about working with Angela is that correct? 

It was cool, it was cool. It was great working with Fredrik again. He did a fantastic job on Rise of the Tyrant. It was similar chemistry as when we were recording Wages of Sin, we got along very well. We have a respect for one another. (Pauses) That wasn’t a rumor. I think if you ask Fredrik he will tell you this same story. When we brought Angela in the studio he wasn’t sure what to expect, he didn’t hear what we heard when we auditioned Angela. I think that maybe at the time he didn’t know what he had signed on for and was hesitant for a bit. Once he heard Angela lay down a number of vocal tracks and heard the potential that the music had, he became excited about the possibilities that we have with Angela vs. Johan. He actually apologized, I remember Fredrik calling Angela into the room and apologizing about his behavior and his pre-conceived notions. Angela accepted the apology and we went on to make a great record I think. (Laughs) Like I said since that album we have grown as a band and I think the first thing that people will hear is how the vocals have evolved since that Wages of Sin.  Put that album on then put on Rise of the Tyrant you’ll hear for yourself.

Was Andy Sneap considered to produce this album? Do you see yourselves working with his in the future?  

We needed to try something different on this album, like I said before. I’m sure we’ll work with Andy again; he’s a great producer and a friend. Will it be on the next record or the record after that? Who knows? I’m sure we’ll work with him in the future, we are friends, there are no hard feelings.  We simply wanted to try something different.

What can fans expect for the new album Rise of the Tyrant? 

It’s a continuation of where Doomsday left off I think. It’s a natural progression. The music is distinct I think you can pick out an Arch Enemy track when you hear it. One thing that is new is how we aid down the vocals on Rise of the Tyrant. Previously we’d double track and layer the vocals. On this album the vocals aren’t layer and you can tell that this is a female vocal, it’s abrasive a ferocious but you listen you can tell it’s a female, when in the past you might have not been able to tell.

Who is the Tyrant that you are referring to? Anyone in particular?  

No there isn’t a specific person we had in mind when we came up with the title. It’s just a general thing. It could be anything from a global political level to something on a more personal level. There’s tyrant everywhere, be it you boss at work, you know your parents or what we see today putting so called leaders in democracies. These people are no different than the tyrants of yesteryear. They are dressed different and they try to shed a different light on themselves but they aren’t much different, so the title is very broad you can see it from different ways. We were just looking for something that would standout and sound good. I think we did a good job. I think the title is fitting to what is happening in the world with all the corruption, misuse of power with world leaders. Things haven’t changes much from the times of the barbarians or ancient societies; it just appears to be more civilized.

What is your favorite track on this album? And Why? 

(Laughs) Why do you have to do this to me? It changes from week to week I think. Depends on what I hear, I don’t think I have heard the album in a longtime. I think right now….(pauses) Hmm, if I had to…(pauses) Last week I would have said “Revolution Begins” of course that’s the first single, but today I would have to say “Shallow Grave” but if you asked my next week it could easily be “The Great Darkness.” (Laughs)

Sounds like you feel you have a lot a great material on the new albums?

(Laughs) That’s right! (Laughs) I think we have a strong album, I know bands should be excited about their new material. I think the positive reaction to the new album just makes us even more excited to play the new stuff for the fans. Obviously we have to play songs from previous records, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement.

At a time when music videos appeared to have been a thing of the past, Arch Enemy put out a video for “Ravenous,” I personally think that clip helped get metal back on tv. And if I recall the “We Will Rise” clip was the first video that aired on the new Headbanger’s Ball in the states.

Really? I didn’t know that! That’s so cool. “Ravenous” was just a performance clip more or less. I think people were really shocked when they found out that the singer was a woman! As you have seen through out the years we have been able to make better videos with each album, which is nice.

I know what you mean. I was asked to check out Arch Enemy’s Wages of Sin album shortly after it came out. I was rediscovering death metal at that time and was on a Maiden kick, so made it sense. You guys had the bonus disc where you covered “Aces High” with Johan singing. Then I popped in disc one and looked the liners and was dumbfounded. I have been a loyal fan since.

(Laughs) That’s a great story!

First thing that comes to mind when I say: 

Fredrik Åkesson? 

Fredrik is a great guitarist that stepped in when we needed someone to fill some big shoes. A good friend and I hope we can work together in the future on some music.

Johan Liiva? 

Oh fantastic singer, good friend, and still to this day I feel that his performance on Burning Bridges is one of the best in the death metal genre.

Gus G.? 

Brilliant, passionate guitarist who is also a genuinely nice guy.

Mercyful Fate? 

One of my metal influences.  It’s been a pleasure to have been able to work with them, and I hope to we get started on some new music in the near future.

Spiritual Beggars? 

This band has given me a chance to play music that showcases some of my classic rock influences. I’m proud of my work with Spiritual Beggars.

North America?

Wow. (laughs) You know what I really love about America? You can go from one end of the country to another, and you can find just about anything that you are looking for on the other coast. If are you looking for specific foods, music, clothing, whatever it might be, you can find it. I love the fans. They have been very welcoming to Arch Enemy, and it’s always been a pleasure to tour in America, and Canada too. We’ll be doing some shows there soon. And I also don’t want to leave out our Mexican fans who have been very loyal and supportive of Arch Enemy.

Disneyland? 

Oh, fuck. (laughs) You know what I don’t understand? The decision for them to pull the show from The House of Blues at the last minute. We had sold many tickets to fans that were traveling to Anaheim from L.A. and surrounding areas. And they pulled the show because they decided at the last minute to not have metal shows at their venue. How unprofessional is that? What is wrong with this? You don’t have respect to the fans that paid good money to see a show. And why are they singling out metal? They still have rap shows taking place there. I just don’t understand the prejudice.

I have been to that particular venue many times, I didn’t see but fans on their best behavior. I had my doubts when I saw Soilwork and Dark Tranquility there a couple years back, but it all went off without incident.

My point is just because we play metal doesn’t mean that our fans are disrespectful, violent or should be feared. These people work, go to school and are productive members of society. I’m fairly certain that Disney even has some of them employed in their park! (Laughs) I’m just glad that we were able to get another venue to have the show, it was stressful, fans’ plans were up in the air and some were not able to make it, as it was further away. I’m sorry they had to experience that. At least we had enough time to change the gig in Orlando.

Thanks for your time Sharlee, I wish you and Arch Enemy all the best with this album and the tour of North America. And when can we expect a second leg in North America?  

Good question. Well as you know where currently on the road on what we have called The Black Tyranny Tour which we are co-headlining with Machine Head. So far, as side from the Disney experience it’s gone very well. The fans are accepting of this eclectic package. The response has been great to us, Machine Head and Throwdown and Sanctity. Getting back to your question, we’ll do The Black Crusade with Machine Head and Trivium in Asia in October and November, then we head to Australia and Europe again with Machine Head and Trivium, but we’ll add Dragonforce and Shadows Fall. I’m excited about that.

Wow. That’s like a traveling European festival isn’t it? That’s very eclectic.

Right, I like having different bands in the mix. It would be just so obvious to get 304 death metal bands in a package and hit the road. We won’t have a break until January of 2008! We will make it back to North America for a second leg sometime I think in February or March of 2008.

I can’t wait for you guys to make it back to Portland, Oregon. I’ll be waiting patiently. Thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions. It’s very gracious of you to give us a shot and carving out time while traveling to the next gig.
 

Thank you very much and thanks to the fans that have supported Arch Enemy.
 
 
Thanks again to Sharlee for taking some time to answer some questions and a huge heavy metal thank you to George V. @ Century Media for setting this up. Pick up Arch Enemy’s new album Rise of the Tyrant on Century Media Records it’s  a fantastic album.