jeffloomisIt’s been a completely insane year of lineup changes for Arch Enemy, what with Angela Gossow stepping aside for Alissa White-Gluz, but they’ve just upped the ante, because now Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis is in the band! He replaces Nick Cordle, who understandably, has stepped aside. And while Loomis won’t start until the European tour, the remainder of the American dates will have a pretty solid fill-in, original Arch Enemy guitarist Christopher Amott. Here’s the entire press release, from their Facebook page:

Metal icons ARCH ENEMY are proud to announce that guitar legend Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore) will be joining their ranks for their upcoming European tour which kicks off November 26, as well as all future tours in 2015.

Jeff Loomis states:
”I’m very excited to be playing with Arch Enemy. Michael Amott and I have stayed in contact over the years since we toured together when I was playing in Nevermore. Not only do I admire his guitar playing and songwriting, but I also consider him a close friend. To be able to share the stage with Michael, Sharlee, Daniel and Alissa is something I’m really looking forward to. 2015 is going to be a great year… See you all on tour!”

After a great year of intensive touring in support of their critically acclaimed album, War Eternal, Arch Enemy are parting ways with guitarist Nick Cordle who states: “With War Eternal I believe we wrote an album together which will stand the test of time, and I wish them well for the future.”

USA fans will be able to catch a special reunion as Christopher Amott (the brother of ARCH ENEMY founder/bandleader Michael Amott) has joined the band for the remainder of their American headlining tour.

Michael Amott (guitars) comments: ”We all wish Nick the very best in his new endeavors and we are sure that you will hear much more from him. We’re also super grateful to my brother Christopher for stepping in to finish the current American tour!”

”The prospect of working with Jeff Loomis moving forward is truly awesome! Jeff Loomis is one of the best guitar players in the metal world in my opinion, as well as being a long time friend. I look forward to tearing it up on stages around the world together as we continue on the War Eternal’ touring cycle throughout all next year and beyond!”

See below for all upcoming ARCH ENEMY tour dates.

ARCH ENEMY – live in North America with KREATOR, HUNTRESS, STARKILL
Nov. 18, 2014 – Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN *
Nov. 19, 2014 – Mojoes – Joliet, IL
Nov. 20, 2014 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
Nov. 21, 2014 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
Nov. 22, 2014 – Bogarts – Cincinnati, OH
Nov. 23, 2014 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH
*=without STARKILL

ARCH ENEMY – live in Europe with KREATOR
Nov. 26, 2014 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France
Nov. 27, 2014 – L’Usine – Istres, France
Nov. 28, 2014 – Razzmatazz – Barcelona, Spain
Nov. 29, 2014 – La Riviera – Madrid Spain
Dec. 1, 2014 – Le Bikini – Toulouse, France
Dec. 2, 2014 – Le Bataclan – Paris, France
Dec. 4, 2014 – 013 – Tilburg, Netherlands
Dec. 5, 2014 – MHP Arena – Ludwigsburg, Germany
Dec. 6, 2014 – Turbinenhalle – Oberhausen, Germany
Dec. 7, 2014 – Garage – Saarbrücken, Germany
Dec. 8, 2014 – Docks – Hamburg, Germany
Dec. 9, 2014 – Huxleys – Berlin, Germany
Dec. 11, 2014 – Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, Germany
Dec. 12, 2014 – Eventhall – Geiselwind, Germany
Dec. 13, 2014 – Tonhalle – München, Germany
Dec. 14, 2014 – Z7 – Pratteln, Switzerland
Dec. 16, 2014 – Institute – Birmingham, UK
Dec. 17, 2014 – O2 Academy – Bristol, UK
Dec. 18, 2014 – The Forum – London, UK
Dec. 19, 2014 – Academy – Manchester, UK
Dec. 20, 2014 – Academy – Dublin, Ireland
Dec. 21, 2014 – QMU – Glasgow, UK
Dec. 22, 2014 – O2 Academy – Newcastle, UK

ARCH ENEMY – live 2015
Jan. 22-26, 2015 – 70,000 Tons Of Metal – Miami, FL
Jan. 29, 2015 – Teatro Estudio Cavaret – Guadalajara, Mexico
Jan. 30, 2015 – Jose Cuervo Salón – Mexico City, Mexico
Feb. 01, 2015 – Coliseo el Salitre Bogota, Colombia
Feb. 03, 2015 – Club Blondie Santiago, Chile
Feb. 04, 2015 – Rock & Soccer Antofagasta, Chile
Feb. 06, 2015 – Circo Voador Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Feb. 07, 2015 – Carioca Club – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Feb. 08, 2015 – Music Hall – Curitiba, Brazil
Feb. 10, 2015 – El Teatro Flores – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Feb. 12, 2015 – Plaza de toros Belmonte – Quito, Ecuador
May. 2, 2015 – Karmoygeddon Festival – Kopervik, Norway
Jun. 04, 2015 – Out & Loud Festival – Geiselwind, Germany

There’s no word on when Arch Enemy will be returning to the States with Loomis, but it could be assumed that they’ll return for another tour next year. Loomis has been out of Nevermore since 2011. And while there aren’t any immediate plans for Cordle, there is an opening in Arsis.

[Photo: Stephanie Cabral]

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Bram Teitelman