Guitarist Christopher Amott has issued the following statement regarding his departure from ARCH ENEMY after nearly five years since rejoining the band:

"I have left Arch Enemy to pursue my solo career. I'm gonna continue to be very active in music, working with all kinds of styles - this does not rule out metal. I have just recorded a new solo album, set to be released in April."

Arch Enemy has welcomed 26 year old American guitarist Nick Cordle (seen above) on board as they continue their touring activity following the release of their recent Khaos Legions (2011) album.

Christopher's brother and founding Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott comments: ”Nick was my first choice as he ticks all the right boxes for Arch Enemy with his musicality and technicality as well as his personality and dedication. Looking forward to having him join us stage, the rehearsals have shown we have a devastating twin axe attack going on!”

Nick Cordle was raised in a musical family in Virginia by parents who teach classical piano and was immersed in 19th century piano music as a child. Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and Liszt are his early memories. There were piano and violin lessons from a very early age but a rebellious streak led to the guitar at the age of 10, and within a few years he discovered the classic thrash metal albums by MEGADETH, METALLICA, and SLAYER. This was his first real musical passion and gateway into extreme music.

Nick studied jazz and music theory at the University of Virginia from 2003 to 2007 but remains self taught in the ways of ”shred” and metal. Shortly thereafter, he joined American death metal band ARSIS playing bass and guitar over a three year period performing with them on various European tours and countless gigs across the US, Canada, and Mexico as well as performing and writing on their most recent album Starve For The Devil (2010).

Arch Enemy tour dates (more to follow):

March

23 - Festival Mediterranéen de la guitar - Tunis, Tunisia
25 - Colos-Saal - Aschaffenburg, Germany

April

13 - Shibuya Ax - Tokyo, Japan
14 - Yokohama Blitz - Japan
16 - Diamond Hall - Nagoya, Japan
17 - Big Cat - Osaka, Japan
24 - Chin Woo Stadium (Hall) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
26 - Diablo Open Air 2012 - Singapore
28 - Pulp Summer Slam 12 - Manila, Philippines
30 - Manning Bar - Sydney, Australia
31 - Billboard The Venue - Melbourne, Australia

June

28 - Peace and Love Festival - Borlänge, Sweden
30 - Dokk'em Open Air - Dokkum, Netherlands

July

13 - Bang Your Head Festival - Balingen, Germany
14 - Rock Harz Open Air - Ballenstedt, Germany
15 - Masters Of Rock - Vizovice, Czech Republic
18 - Hegyalja Fesztival - Tokaj Rakamaz, Hungary
20 - Devilside - Oberhausen, Germany

August

4 - Vagos Open Air - Vagos, Portugal

October

20 - Metal Female Voices Fest - Wieze, Belgium
21 - Le Bataclan - Paris, France
23 - Totem - Pamplona, Spain
25 - Capitol - Santiago de Compostela, Spain
26 - La Riviera - Madrid, Spain
27 - Razzmatazz 2 - Barcelona, Spain