Alissa White-Gluz (/əˈlsə ˈɡlʌz/;[2] born 31 July 1985) is a Canadian singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy,[3] and former lead vocalist and founding member of the Canadian metalcore band The Agonist.[4] Her vocal style includes both growling and clean vocals (singing).[5] Although primarily associated with melodic death metal and metalcore, she has appeared as a guest vocalist for power metal, symphonic metal and deathcore bands, notably Kamelot, Delain, Carnifex and Powerwolf, and has performed live with Nightwish and Tarja Turunen.

Alissa White-Gluz
White-Gluz performing in 2023
White-Gluz performing in 2023
Background information
Born (1985-07-31) 31 July 1985 (age 39)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter[1]
Years active2004–present
Labels
Member ofArch Enemy
Formerly ofThe Agonist

Early life

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White-Gluz was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as the second of three children.[6][7] Her grandparents were Jewish 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".[8] She is the younger sister of Jasamine White-Gluz who leads the Montreal-based band No Joy.[9]

Career

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The Agonist (2004–2014)

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White-Gluz performing with The Agonist in 2009.

In 2004, White-Gluz formed the Agonist (then known as "Tempest") with fellow band members Danny Marino and Chris Kells in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[10] She released three albums with them as their lead vocalist.[11] White-Gluz was kicked out of The Agonist in the spring of 2014 after she was offered the role as vocalist for Arch Enemy and proposed her interest in working in both bands at once.[12]

Arch Enemy (2014–present)

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White-Gluz performing with Arch Enemy in 2022.

On 17 March 2014, Arch Enemy announced via press release that Alissa would be replacing their former vocalist Angela Gossow.[13] With Arch Enemy, she has released three studio albums (War Eternal, Will to Power and Deceivers) and two live albums (Tokyo Sacrifice and As The Stages Burn!)[citation needed]

Solo career

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White-Gluz signed a deal with Napalm Records in 2016 to release a solo album entitled Alissa.[14] In a 2017 interview with Duke TV, she announced that her album would feature collaborations with Kamelot members, and said that the sound of the album would be "pretty different" from that of Arch Enemy.[15]

Guest vocal work

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White-Gluz performing with Kamelot in 2012

White-Gluz has recorded guest vocals for Blackguard's 2008 EP Another Round,[16] as well as for Slaves on Dope's 2012 album Over the Influence.[17]

White-Gluz has worked with Kamelot on a number of occasions. In September and October 2012, she was a guest vocalist for Kamelot when they were the supporting act for Nightwish's North American tour.[18] In February 2015, Kamelot announced that she would contribute guest vocals to their Haven album.[19]

At the Denver show on 28 September 2012, White-Gluz and Elize Ryd performed the Nightwish lead vocals live on stage with minimal preparation after Anette Olzon was taken ill.[20][21] White-Gluz, Ryd and Tommy Karevik later joined Nightwish (now fronted by Floor Jansen) on stage again to sing the final song of the tour, "Last Ride of the Day", in Orlando on 14 October 2012.[22] Arch Enemy, with White-Gluz as lead vocalist, joined Nightwish as a supporting act on their 2015 European tour.[23]

In February 2014, the Dutch symphonic metal band Delain announced that White-Gluz would be contributing guest vocals to their fourth studio album The Human Contradiction.[24] White-Gluz made a second guest appearance with Delain in 2016 on "Hands of Gold", the opening track of their fifth studio album Moonbathers.[25]

In 2017, White-Gluz recorded guest vocals for Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein's band, DOYLE. She appears on the band's second album, DOYLE II, on the track "Kiss Me As We Die", providing background vocals. White-Gluz and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein have been in a relationship since 2014.

In 2018, White-Gluz recorded guest vocals for Angra's album Omni, which was released in February 2018. She appears on the third track "Black Widow's Web" alongside Brazilian singer Sandy.[26] She also contributed to Dee Snider's album For The Love of Metal on the track "Dead Hearts Love Thy Enemy"[27] and Kane Robert's/Alice Cooper's Beginning of the End.[28] She provided guest vocals for Soilwork on the song "Stålfågel", which is part of their eleventh studio album Verkligheten. The album was released on 11 January 2019.[29]

White-Gluz recorded guest vocals for the American deathcore act, Carnifex, on the song "No Light Shall Save Us", which is on the band's seventh studio album, World War X. It was released on 2 August 2019 through Nuclear Blast Records.[30]

In 2019, White-Gluz appeared on the album Anesthetic by Mark Morton (Lamb of God) as a guest vocalist on the song "The Truth Is Dead" along with Randy Blythe (Lamb of God). The song was released as a single in 2018.

In June 2021, Powerwolf released a remix of their track "Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend" with White-Gluz as the lead vocalist.

In 2022, she recorded guest vocals for the video game Metal: Hellsinger and published a song with Nita Strauss called "The Wolf You Feed".

In 2024 she collaborated with Simone Simons, lead singer of Epica, for the song "Cradle to the Grave".

Other media

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White-Gluz is appearing in visual companion content to American Murder Song as Pretty Lavinia.[31] Her character was first revealed at Steampunk World's Fair and has since been released on American Murder Song's YouTube channel.[citation needed]

In addition to her music career, White-Gluz also had a voice acting stint where she voiced the Swarm Hunters in Gears 5.[32]

White-Gluz was an executive producer for the 2024 British documentary film I Could Never Go Vegan.[33]

Personal life

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White-Gluz has been in a relationship with Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein since 2014, the guitarist of American horror punk band Misfits.[34]

She was raised in a family of vegetarians, and has been a vegan since 1998.[35][36] She follows a straight-edge lifestyle.[37][38] She is Jewish, but identifies as an atheist and considers herself opposed to religion, though she noted that "it doesn't mean [she hates] religious people or [is] opposed to them".[39]

Interests

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White-Gluz is a fan of classical music as well as rock music. She enjoys 1990s grunge music such as Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, and Soundgarden. "I know a lot of people hate it but I love the simplicity, the stripped-down, honest songs and the mistakes. On Nirvana's live album for example I love hearing the out-of-tune guitars and the cracks in the voice", White-Gluz said in an interview with Metal Hammer.[40] In an interview with Patreon, White-Gluz stated that punk rock and hardcore punk are linked to her social values.[41]

Activism

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In a 2018 interview with Metal Hammer, White-Gluz said she had been "vegan for about 18 years", but that she had engaged in animal rights activism since childhood.[39] She received a Libby award from PETA for her work in an international campaign advocating against the hunting of Canadian seals.[42][43] In 2023, she posed as a mermaid in a PETA anti-fishing ad campaign.[44] White-Gluz appears in the documentary Punk Rock Vegan Movie by Moby which was released in February 2023.[45][46]

Discography

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White-Gluz performing with Arch Enemy in 2019

The Agonist

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Arch Enemy

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Guest appearances

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Year Main artist Track Album Label
2008 Never More Than Less "So Beautiful" Relentless Le Collectif Artcore
Synastry "In Your Eyes" Blind Eyes Bleed Year of the Sun
The Plasmarifle "From the Trail of Ashes..." While You Were Sleeping, The World Forever Changed In An Instant Siege of Amida
2009 Blackguard "The Sword" Profugus Mortis Sumerian
2010 Erimha "The Legend of Ereshkigal" Irkalla Independent
2012 Kamelot "Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)" Silverthorn SVP/Steamhammer
"Prodigal Son (Part III: The Journey)
2014 Delain "The Tragedy of the Commons" The Human Contradiction Napalm
2015 Kamelot "Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)" Haven
"Revolution"
Metal Allegiance "We Rock" Metal Allegiance Nuclear Blast
2016 Caliban "The Ocean's Heart" Gravity Century Media
And Then She Came "Five Billion Lies" And Then She Came Napalm
Tarja "Demons in You" The Shadow Self earMUSIC
Delain "Hands of Gold" Moonbathers Napal,
Metal Allegiance "Life in the Fast Lane" Fallen Heroes Nuclear Blast
Evesdroppers "Gods Ocean" Empty Vessel Casual Madness
2017 Aurelio Voltaire "Leaves in the Stream" Heart-Shaped Wound Projekt
Doyle "Kiss Me as We Die" As We Die Monsterman
Delain "Hands of Gold" A Decade of Delain: Live at Paradiso Napalm
"The Tragedy of the Commons"
2018 Angra "Black Widow's Web" ØMNI Edel Music
Dee Snider "Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy)" For the Love of Metal Napalm
2019 Soilwork "Stålfågel" Verkligheten Nuclear Blast
Mark Morton "The Truth is Dead"[47] Anesthetic Spinefarm
Carnifex "No Light Shall Save Us" World War X Nuclear Blast
Kane Roberts "Beginning of the End" The New Normal Frontiers
Babymetal "Distortion" Metal Galaxy earMUSIC
2020 No Joy "Dream Rats" Motherhood Joyful Noise Recordings
Kamelot "March of Mephisto" I Am the Empire – Live from the 013 Napalm
"Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)"
"Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)"
2021 Me and That Man "Goodbye" New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2
Powerwolf "Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend" Call of the Wild
Charlotte Wessels "Lizzie"[48] Tales from Six Feet Under
2022 Helloween "Best Time" Non-album track Atomic Fire
Nita Strauss "The Wolf You Feed" The Call of the Void Century Media
2023 Punk Rock Factory "Part of Your World" Poor Unfortunate Souls The Sausage Factory
2024 Charlotte Wessels "Fool's Parade" Non-album track Independent
DragonForce "Burning Heart" Warp Speed Warriors Napalm
Simone Simons "Cradle to the Grave" Vermillion Nuclear Blast
Charlotte Wessels "Ode to the West Wind" The Obsession Napalm
Kat Von D "I Am a Machine" My Side of the Mountain Kartel

Other appearances

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  • Karmaflow – "The Muse and the Conductor" – as The Muse (2015)
  • Karmaflow – "The Muse's Lament" – as The Muse (2016)
  • Karmaflow – "The Muse and the Conductor" (2016)
  • American Murder Song – as Pretty Lavinia (2016)
  • Metal: Hellsinger – "Stygia" (2022)

References

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  1. ^ "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist – August 14th, 2011". Lithium Magazine. 14 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Alissa White-Gluz: Vlog #1: New Music and Guest Vocals". 20 January 2014 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "Arch Enemy Parts Ways With Vocalist Angela Gossow, Recruits The Agonist's Alissa White-Gluz". Blabbermouth. 17 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Century Media Records – The Agonist". centurymedia.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Arch Enemy's Alissa White Gluz: 'If There's an Opportunity to Use Clean Vocals We'll Probably Do It'". Loudwire. 23 January 2016.
  6. ^ bravewords.com. "The Agonist Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz – 'People Have To Start Thinking With Their Brains And Their Hearts Instead of Their Social Conditioning'". bravewords.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  7. ^ Kusano, Rodney (12 May 2019). "MOMS THAT ROCK: An Interview with Judith White-Gluz Mother of Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy)". OUTBURN ONLINE.
  8. ^ "See Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz Detail Intense Personal Story Behind 'First Day in Hell'". Revolver. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Alissa White-Gluz – Official Page". Retrieved 14 July 2020 – via Facebook.
  10. ^ "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist". Lithium Magazine. 14 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011.
  11. ^ Hartmann, Graham (May 2017). "The Agonist Fire Back at Alissa White-Gluz in New Statement". Loudwire. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  12. ^ Childers, Chad (16 April 2017). "Alissa White-Gluz Felt 'Worst Betrayal' From Split with the Agonist". Loudwire. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  13. ^ "Angela Gossow Leaves Arch Enemy, New Vocalist Announced". Metal Hammer. 17 March 2014. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014.
  14. ^ "ARCH ENEMY Frontwoman ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ Signs Solo Deal With NAPALM RECORDS". 7 September 2016.
  15. ^ "ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ's Solo Debut Will Feature Collaborations With KAMELOT, ARCH ENEMY Members". Blabbermouth. 27 August 2017.
  16. ^ "BLACKGUARD Frontman Explains Name Change". Blabbermouth. 26 November 2008.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "THE AGONIST Frontwoman To Guest on New SLAVES ON DOPE Album". Blabbermouth. 6 September 2009.
  18. ^ "ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ TALKS WORKING WITH KAMELOT – "ELIZE RYD AND TOMMY KAREVIK ARE BY FAR THE MOST TALENTED SINGERS I'VE EVER HEARD"". BraveWords. 3 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Kamelot Announce Release Date For New Album "Haven". Artwork And Track Listing Revealed!". 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  20. ^ "NIGHTWISH in Denver: A Night Without ANETTE OLZON". Blabbermouth. 29 September 2012.
  21. ^ "Nightwish – The Denver Debacle". 3 March 2016 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Nightwish with Kamelot – Last Ride Of The Day – House of Blues Orlando 2012 (with Floor Jansen)". 15 October 2012 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "NIGHTWISH To Tour Europe With AMORPHIS, ARCH ENEMY". Blabbermouth. 4 March 2015.
  24. ^ "Delain Taps Alissa White-Gluz For New Album The Human Contradiction". Metal Underground. 1 February 2014.
  25. ^ "DELAIN To Release 'Moonbathers' Album in August". Blabbermouth.net. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  26. ^ "Angra "Black Widow's Web" feat. Alissa White-Gluz & Sandy – Official Music Video". Retrieved 18 October 2019 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ Songfacts. "Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy) by Dee Snider – Songfacts". songfacts.com. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  28. ^ "Kane Roberts – Beginning of the End feat. Alice Cooper & Alissa White-Gluz: A Video Breakdown". 4 February 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  29. ^ "Verkligheten by Soilwork". iTunes. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  30. ^ DiVita, Joe (7 June 2019). "Carnifex Announce Album, Debut New Song Feat. Alissa White-Gluz". Loudwire. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  31. ^ "Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz Plays America's First Female Serial Killer For American Murder Song". Blabbermouth.net. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Behind The Voice Actors – Alissa White-Gluz". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 19 September 2019. Green check mark indicates roles that have been verified by BTVA through closing credits screenshots.
  33. ^ "Meet the Team". I Could Never Go Vegan. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  34. ^ "DOYLE: I've Been Vegan For Six Years Now. My Girlfriend ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ Got Me into It". Metal Addicts. 13 January 2019.
  35. ^ "The Agonist's Alissa White-Gluz on Being Vegan and Her Work With peta2". Noise Creep. 3 October 2011.
  36. ^ "Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz Discusses Animal Rights, Being Vegan in New Video Interview". Blabbermouth. 24 June 2014.
  37. ^ "Interview Time with Alissa White Gluz". Metal Horizons.
  38. ^ "The Agonist's Alissa White-Gluz Stays Healthy on the Road". Noise Creep. 20 August 2009.
  39. ^ a b Rees, Adam (31 July 2018). "Arch Enemy: Alissa White-Gluz's Guide To Life". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  40. ^ July 2018, Adam Rees31 (31 July 2018). "Arch Enemy: Alissa White-Gluz's Guide To Life". Metal Hammer Magazine. Retrieved 10 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz, lead vocalist of Arch Enemy". YouTube.
  42. ^ "The Agonist Frontwoman Snags PETA2 Award". Blabbermouth. 30 January 2012.
  43. ^ "The Agonist's Alissa White-Gluz Stars in PETA Ad Denouncing Seal Slaughter". Noise Creep. 28 March 2011.
  44. ^ Stef Lach,"Watch Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz as trapped mermaid in PETA campaign," Metal Hammer 22 February 2023.
  45. ^ "Punk Rock Vegan Movie". PunkRock Vegan Movie.
  46. ^ "Punk Rock Vegan Movie". YouTube.
  47. ^ "LAMB OF GOD Guitarist's 'Anesthetic' Solo Album To Feature Guest Appearances By LINKIN PARK, PAPA ROACH Members". Blabbermouth. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  48. ^ "ARCH ENEMY Vocalist ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ, DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS Release New Single / Video "Lizzie"". BraveWords. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
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Preceded by Vocalist for Arch Enemy
2014–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent