Family can be a blessing and a curse at the same time, depending on what you do with your relationship with them. You can either succumb to the negative effects and suffer in silence, or you can find a safe haven where you can thrive and become successful. A space in which you can soothe your pain.
The rock and metal industry contains many names who succeeded after finding refuge in music when they ran away from their family struggles. Music became a guide for musicians like Sting, who used it to endure the burden of a dysfunctional family, and Angela Gossow, for whom it became a healer.
Gossow was the frontwoman for Arch Enemy from 2000 to 2014 and rose to fame and success with the band despite all the troubles they faced, like her nodules, which she eventually recovered from. They achieved their highest charting effort with her as the lead vocalist and gave many concerts in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. But how did it all start?
Her adventure with Arch Enemy started when she replaced Johan Liiva as the vocalist. She gave Michael Amott a demo of her singing after they met in an interview and was called for an audition following Liiva’s departure. Thus, her journey with the band began and continued until she decided she didn’t want to be in the spotlight anymore in 2014. But there is more to this musical adventure if we go back in time a little farther.
The band’s former vocalist started her music career with Asmodina to escape from the struggles of her family life, which caused her health issues. Gossow’s parents had a tumultuous relationship and broke up several times while she tried to bring them together. Despite her efforts wearing her off, her parents got divorced when she was 17, and this damaged her more, along with the financial problems they had to endure because of bankruptcy.
With the effect of all these problems, Angela suffered from anorexia and bulimia disorders. When she understood she couldn’t sustain her health besides her family, the musician left her home and joined Asmodina while she continued her education. She thrived away from her family, overcame her problems, and became a star in a male-dominant business.
Angela talked about her position in the industry as a woman several times. One of these was in an interview with Jill Meniketti in her blog’s Behind the Art section in 2016. To answer a question regarding the matter, Gossow mentioned that she did not ‘adopt the rude tone some men do have.’
The former Arch Enemy frontwoman stated:
“I’ve never adopted the rude tone some men do have in this business. People sometimes get fooled into believing I am naive or too kind. I am not when it comes to crushing numbers.“
Angela Gossow’s musical story began with her family struggles, which caused her to have problems in life. All the hardships she faced because of her family and health conditions eventually led her to become a strong figure in the metal industry. Talk about taking advantage of pain!