When vocalist Alissa White-Gluz announced her departure from Swedish band Arch Enemy late last year, she hinted at “big news” around the corner. It quickly transpired that the singer was embarking on a solo career to “express myself in ways that have been dormant for years,” linking up with Kamelot and former Doro guitarist Oliver Palotai for her debut single, "The Room Where She Died."
It appears that collaboration was a one-off. The singer has just announced a new band featuring two guitarists with bright futures: former Iron Maidens guitarist Alyssa Day and Danielle Sophia.
Day was praised by Joe Satriani last year, saying “she can shred any guy out there,” and using her as an example of the positive changes currently reshaping the electric guitar and music industries.
The “Surfing with the Alien” virtuoso had pointed to Day, who has made her name predominantly through social media, away from traditional record labels, when discussing how the digital age has leveled the playing field for players around the world.
“With the digital age, music production has become democratized,” he argued. “Everybody can make a decent musical product at home with their laptop. And this has been a good thing for people who, maybe because of their sex or their appearance, have been cut out of the music scene, because they don't fit. They don't have a TV look, or they don't have the right sound for a particular radio station.”
Across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, Day has amassed a following of around 175,00 people, while she’s scored endorsements with Seymour Duncan and Jackson guitars along the way. She's also collaborated with Ibanez artist Lari Basilio and self-released three singles.
Likewise, Sophia has built an online reputation through her playing, which has roots in metal and jazz.
White-Gluz’s post unveiling the two guitarists, captioned as “meet the band. Soon you’ll meet the music,” has also seen Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss offer some kind words of support.
“Sheesh, bringing out the heavy hitters,” she commented enthusiastically. “Can’t wait to hear this.”
In fact, Satriani believes the current crop of players breaking out of their bedrooms and onto stages — with Sophie Lloyd another great example — are leagues above him and his generational counterparts. That, he says, is welcome news.
![ABSENTIA - Inerrata (ft. Lari Basilio) [Guitar Playthrough] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ka-h7vJ1fTE/maxresdefault.jpg)
“We need newer, smarter people to solve the human condition in every field — scientists, doctors, writers,” he said last year. “We need better, smarter, every single day. That's the whole point.
“We have children, and we raise better human beings to help us, so we don’t become extinct,” he expands. “And, if you're not excited about new players, then that's pretty sad. I'm excited about just about every player I see. I champion it, I always have.”
