Alissa White-Gluz: The End of One Era, the Beginning of True Freedom
The departure of Alissa White-Gluz from Arch Enemy was without debate one of the most significant metal events of late 2025. After eleven years at the helm of one of the biggest extreme metal brands of today, Alissa decided to take a step that was neither sudden nor easy – but, in her own words, inevitable.
"It was definitely hard. Change is always a wild mix of fear and excitement," she admitted in a new interview for the German Metal Hammer. "When you spend so many years with something, it becomes part of your identity. I approached that announcement with immense respect – for the fans, for the music, and for myself."
Alissa emphasizes that she has never been able to treat music as routine or a "nine-to-five job." Every detail – lyrics, performance, recording, and visuals – has to carry meaning for her. That is also why she chose to leave directly, without vagueness or half-measures. "I wanted to honor the past, but at the same time confidently step toward what comes next."
Support that gave her strength
According to her, the reactions from fans and colleagues literally overwhelmed her. The wave of support, understanding, and respect was stronger than she had ever expected. "People really connected with the idea of evolution and growth. That gave me incredible momentum," Alissa says, adding that stepping outside her comfort zone and refusing to be boxed in has always been her driving force.
"The Room Where She Died": the first step into the unknown
Shortly after announcing her departure, she introduced the first single from her upcoming debut solo album – the track The Room Where She Died. The music was composed by Oliver Palotai of Kamelot, while Alissa handled all vocals, lyrics, and recording. She also wrote the script for the music video, which was realized by the Serbian production team iCODE Team.
"This project needed the right moment, the right mental state, and absolute freedom," she explains. "Now I feel clarity, energy, and I know exactly what I want to say. This album is a natural evolution I've been heading toward for years."
New blood, new sound
White-Gluz also confirmed collaboration with two prominent guitarists – Alyssa Day and Dani Sophia. "What we're creating together is exactly what I've always wanted. It's heavy, energetic, catchy, and emotional at the same time," she says enthusiastically, promising fans won't have to wait long.
An interesting detail is that Alissa appears in the video holding a guitar. She remains grounded, though: "I'm not a guitarist – my instrument is vocals. But guitar and piano give me the freedom to write. And that's what matters most."
Metal as a process, not a destination
In the interview, she also touched on the reality of today's music industry. According to her, there is no moment when you've "made it" and can relax. "You either work, or you work even more. And if you're lucky, you do it with good people. You have to make music because you love it – that's the only reason."
One thing is certain: Alissa White-Gluz hasn't finished – quite the opposite. She left security behind so she could create without limits. And if "The Room Where She Died" is just the beginning, a dark, personal, and damn powerful chapter of modern metal lies ahead.