ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ

“Alissa White-Gluz (/əˈliːsə ˈɡlʌz/;) (born 31 July 1985) is a Canadian vocalist, best known as lead vocalist of the Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, and former lead vocalist and founding member of the Canadian metalcore band the Agonist. Her vocal style includes both growling and clean vocals (singing). Although primarily associated with melodic death metal, she has appeared as a guest vocalist for power metal and symphonic metal bands, notably Kamelot and Delain, and has performed live with Nightwish and Tarja Turunen.

White-Gluz was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as the second of three children. Her grandparents were prisoners in concentration camps during World War II and managed to escape. Their experiences in the camps would go on to inspire the Arch Enemy song, “First Day in Hell”.

The Agonist (2004−2014)

Alissa White-Gluz performing with The Agonist in July 2012
In 2004, White-Gluz formed the Agonist (then known as “Tempest”) with fellow band members Danny Marino and Chris Kells in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She released three albums with them as their lead vocalist.

White-Gluz released a statement on her Facebook page saying that she had left the Agonist, and that Vicky Psarakis had taken over as the vocalist. “It is with great sadness that I must also announce that The Agonist as you have come to know it is now a thing of the past. I had every intention of (and had even started) writing and recording yet another killer album this year, but my former band-mates decided to choose a different path. I wish I could change the situation but the unfortunate decision was made beyond my control so I can only wish them the very best of luck now that our time working together has concluded.”

In August 2015, White-Gluz revealed in an interview that the other members of the Agonist had kicked her out of the band, and forcibly cut her off from anything to do with the group. White-Gluz gave another interview in 2017 where she detailed the circumstances of her departure and how she considered it the “biggest betrayal” she’d ever felt in her life. The Agonist later released their own public statement disputing her account, citing unprofessional behaviour and infighting as the reason for her departure.

Alissa White-Gluz performing with Arch Enemy at Nova Rock 2014
On March 17, 2014, Arch Enemy announced via press release that Alissa would be replacing their former vocalist Angela Gossow. With Arch Enemy, she has released two studio albums (War Eternal and Will to Power) and two live albums (As The Stages Burn! and Live Power).”