ARCH ENEMY have split with guitarist Jeff Loomis, who had been playing with the Swedish melodeath crew since 2014.
In a statement posted on the band’s social media, guitarist-songwriter Michael Amott characterized the departure as “amicable,” and announced Loomis’ replacement: Joey Concepcion, formerly of SANCTUARY and THE ABSENCE.
“It’s been a joy having Jeff play with ARCH ENEMY for close to a decade,” Amott wrote. “We truly had a blast touring around the world together. We were friends long before we played music together and we remain even closer buddies now, which feels great.
“We respect that he’s in a place and time in life where he needs to step out of ARCH ENEMY and we all wish him nothing but the best moving forward. The only constant is change, and this is one of those moments where things had to change a little to move forward in a satisfactory way for everyone involved.
“With all that said, we are extremely pleased to announce that we have recruited Joey Concepcion as our new guitarist. Joey’s a phenomenal talent and has been a friend of the band for a long time, he even filled in for Jeff on a couple of European festival shows back in 2018.
“We have touring and a myriad of other exciting things coming up on the horizon with ARCH ENEMY for 2024 and beyond and are thrilled to move forward, creating the next chapter and keeping the Metal flowing.”
Loomis joined ARCH ENEMY nearly a decade back, shortly after the dissolution of NEVERMORE, the band he played lead guitar in for the previous 20 years. He played on ARCH ENEMY’s previous two albums, 2017’s “Will to Power” and 2022’s “Deceivers”. Loomis also commented on his departure from ARCH ENEMY.
“My time in ARCH ENEMY has come to an end,” Loomis wrote. “I have had a great time (nine years!) of playing and touring with them, but now it’s time to enter a new chapter in my life.
“I wish Alissa, Michael, Sharlee and Daniel the very best and consider them all lifelong friends. I’d also like to thank the crew that have always been nothing but kind to me. Their hard work and dedication towards the band is incredible, and we wouldn’t be able to put on the great shows without them.
“Thank you again for all your support over the years and Happy New Year”.
