Stigmata (Re-issue 2023) (Ltd. Picture LP)

Arch Enemy are the ultimate in Swedish retro thrash/death. The northerners bludgeon old school banger riffs of Slayer and Destruction format with an ease and joy of playing from the soul that the neck muscles almost begin to rotate by themselves and manage, incredibly, to insert between the chainsaw chord sequences again and again two-part melodic licks, which remind more than once of early Iron Maiden records and spherical Death songs.

Stigmata is further enhanced by the great song ideas and the wonderfully aggressive, but never overdone vocals. And best of all, these guys can play like hell. Mastermind Michael Amott (Spiritual Beggars/ex-Carcass) and his brother Christopher are one of the best guitar duos in the metal scene and know how to use their technical skills very impressively, yet always song-serving.