At the end of 2025, metal headlines were hit with the shocking news that Alissa White-Gluz had stepped down from Arch Enemy after a decade with the band. Alissa was such an iconic presence within the band that metal fans were eager to learn who could potentially replace her. In early 2026, it was announced that Once Human vocalist Lauren Hart would be stepping in as the new vocalist of Arch Enemy. After some appearances across Europe, it was time for Arch Enemy to debut with Lauren in North America. The Wrath Across North America 2026 co-headlining tour with The Black Dahlia Murder was announced, featuring support from Septicflesh, Crypta, and Thrown Into Exile. The very first stop of the tour was at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, CA, and American fans were excited to hear Lauren take the reins for Arch Enemy.

Opening the tour was Thrown Into Exile, playing a hometown show, as they are from just up the 91 freeway in Los Angeles. Fans who could get to the venue early were in for a treat as Thrown Into Exile kicked things into high gear right from the start. New vocalist Joshua Santos fits right into the band as his vocals roar through the auditorium. He also adds a new dynamic to their stage presence as he plays off of each member, heightening the entertainment aspect of the show. Thrown Into Exile is proving to be a solid support band for many tours, and it would be a missed opportunity to get to this show late and miss them.

Up next was Crypta, a death metal band from Brazil. Crypta has been making waves in the metal community, and I was very excited to finally get to see them live. Vocalist and bassist Fernanda Lira is a force to be reckoned with. Her screams could tear the roof off the building, and her personality on stage was larger than life. She played it up to the people in the back of the room, with potentially the greatest bass face I have ever seen. Guitarists Tainá Bergamaschi and Victoria Villarreal looked like they were going on a walk through the park as they ripped through some of the heaviest licks of the night. Drummer Luana Dametto blasted away on her kit, getting the mosh pit moving. Unfortunately, Crypta had to cut their set slightly short due to some technical difficulties, but they drew me and the rest of the venue into their world, and I hope they come back soon, as I want to see a longer set from them.

It was then time for Septicflesh to take the stage. Sadly, lead guitarist Christos Antoniou suffered a fall just before the tour started and broke his ribs, so Septicflesh would be performing as a three-piece band for the start of this tour. We hope Christos is well and has a speedy recovery. Bassist and vocalist Seth Siro Anton performs with an unholy energy behind him. Rhythm guitarist Psychon helped carry the guitar line for the band, shredding on his axe and adding to the band’s demented sound. Drummer Krimh added heaviness to the band with his drumming. Septicflesh captivated me with their sound, and this was with only a partial band live. I hope Christos can rejoin the band soon to finish out the tour, and next time Septicflesh is in the United States, I will be there to see them properly.

It was then time for the first of our two co-headliners, with The Black Dahlia Murder ready to rile up a frenzy in the auditorium. This was my first time seeing them since the passing of original vocalist Trevor Strnad, RIP. Original rhythm guitarist Brian Eschbach has taken over vocal duties and pays respects to his longtime friend Strnad each night, as his screams and voice carry the legacy Strnad left behind. Guitarist Ryan Knight also rejoined within the last few years and brought back a technical side to his playing that helps Black Dahlia’s music stand out. Bassist Max Lavelle and drummer Alan Cassidy held down the low end that gave the fans the beat to go crazy. The energy The Black Dahlia Murder brings, and the love that fans have for the music, easily created the craziest mosh pits and the most crowd surfers of the night. With songs like “Necropolis”, “Contagion”, “Mammoth’s Hand”, “Moonlight Equilibrium”, “Panic Hysteric”, “Nightbringers”, “Everything Went Black”, “Cursed Creator”, “A Vulgar Picture”, “Miscarriage”, “Statutory Ape”, “Christ Deformed”, “Utopia Black”, and ending with “What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse”, Black Dahlia continues to carry the torch for Strnad and the love that fans have for their music.

It was then time for Arch Enemy to close out the night, and for Lauren Hart to make her United States debut as their newest singer. Opening the show with “The World Is Yours”, Hart immediately established her own voice in the band. She wasn’t trying to fit into Alissa’s work or style, but instead made the music fit herself while still sounding like Arch Enemy. You could see how much fun Hart was having performing with Arch Enemy, as the smile almost never left her face. It felt like Hart had been a part of the band for years.

Guitarist Michael Amott is still in top form, ripping through those lead lines with precision and style, often coming to the front of the stage and playing up against fellow guitarist Joey Concepcion and bassist Sharlee D’Angelo. Drummer Daniel Erlandsson might be buried behind his kit, but he makes his presence known with the sound and power of his playing. The instrumental section of Arch Enemy is able to create heavy, ear-piercing music while layering it with melodies that send the songs soaring through the venue.

It was amazing to get to hear some of Arch Enemy’s classic songs with Lauren Hart now on vocals, like “Ravenous”, “War Eternal”, “Blood Dynasty”, “My Apocalypse”, “Nemesis”, “Under Black Flags We March”, “The Eagle Flies Alone”, “Bury Me an Angel”, “Dead Bury Their Dead”, and “No Gods, No Masters”, along with their debut song with Hart, “To the Last Breath”, before ending with “Fields of Desolation”.

I can say without a doubt that Arch Enemy made a perfect choice by having Lauren Hart join the band. She fits in with the band with ease and has a voice that can carry the music for years to come. Many fans were excited to see how she would be live, and she stole the entire show. The Wrath Across North America tour features a stacked lineup, and every band is holding its own to bring metal bliss to the fans. This was the very first stop on a six-week tour, and if you love death metal, make sure to catch this show when it comes to your city.