The Agonist's Alissa White-Gluz is announced as the replacement for Angela Gossow in Arch Enemy.

Unexpected and shocking news today as not only does Angela Gossow announce she is leaving Arch Enemy after 13 years, but Alissa White-Gluz also announces she is leaving The Agonist to join Arch Enemy.  What?!

As a huge fan of both ladies this news is met with mixed emotions.  I am excited to see Alissa performing with Arch Enemy and I am sure she will do a fantastic job stepping up into Angela's shoes. I am also looking forward to seeing the new material The Agonist have been working on and how they move forward without Alissa.  That said seeing Angela perform with Arch Enemy was at the top of my gig wish list and it will be sad for us not to not have the opportunity to see Angela play live with the band.

Angela made this statement about stepping down:

"Dear ARCH ENEMY fans, this is not easy to tell you… I have decided to step down from being ARCH ENEMY’s voice of anger. After 13 years of pure fucking metal, 6 studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests. I will however remain business manager for ARCH ENEMY, and I will continue to develop my artist management roster.

Angela Gossow

I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I’ve known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine – and now she’s getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001.

I want to thank all ARCH ENEMY fans, our labels Century Media (worldwide) and Trooper Entertainment (Japan), our dedicated road crew, and in particular Michael, Daniel and Sharlee for their love and support throughout all these years. It’s been one hell of a ride! We conquered every situation, made it through thick & thin together in the most exciting and rewarding time of my life. Thank you all for being there with me on stage, in front of the stage, and backstage. You have touched my heart, and I hope I was able to give something back to you. I am grateful for the wonderful memories – I will cherish them forever!

I am looking forward to the next decade of ARCH ENEMY madness! Right now I am listening through rough mixes of the new studio album and I am blown away! 2014 will see a renewed ARCH ENEMY at the top of their game. I am proud to be part of this ARCH ENEMY chapter, albeit in a different way – revving up the engines behind the scenes. I hope to see you in front of the stage; I will join you there this time. Let the killing begin, once again!”

Alissa also made a statement about moving onto a new venture with Arch Enemy:

Alissa White-Gluz

“I am very honored and happy to announce a new chapter in my life and musical career beginning now; I have joined forces with one of my all-time favorite and globally respected bands, ARCH ENEMY. ‘Wages of Sin’ was the first metal album I ever bought, and it was love at first listen. It is not often that you get a phone call from your favorite band asking you to join! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such amazingly talented musicians whom I also consider great friends. I look forward to being able to write and perform at a whole new level now with ARCH ENEMY! Music is forever, metal is limitless and this is only the beginning!”

Vicky Psarakis

Arch Enemy are currently working on a new album, which is due to be released in June 2014.  This will be the first album featuring Alissa's vocals. New material is also in the works for The Agonist and they have announced the addition of  Vicky Psarakis as their vocalist.  According to her facebook page, she has been secretly working on new material with the band for two months.  It seems this has been a long time in the making and that there are lots of exciting things to come from both of these bands!

So what do you make of this announcement? Do you think Alissa is a good choice to lead Arch Enemy? Are you looking forward to seeing what the future holds for both of these bands or are you unimpressed and no longer interested?  Comment and let me know you thoughts!