Arch Enemy drummer Daniel Erlandsson recently opened up about the real reason behind Alissa White-Gluz’s departure from the band. He addressed the circumstances surrounding her exit in a statement shared on Igor Miranda.
Erlandsson provided insight into the band’s relationship with their former vocalist and the natural conclusion of their collaboration.
“The story that was official was that, like she said, she left to do her solo stuff. Now I think she has started her own band instead,” Erlandsson said. “We had a long, lasting relationship together, and I guess you could say that it came to an end naturally. It was good and it worked out really well — until it didn’t anymore. That’s all I can say about that.”
The drummer also addressed fan reactions to the departure and encouraged continued support for both parties.
“Some fans take that [the hard way] — it’s kind of a difficult thing to accept. I know what it’s like when your favorite singer quits, but there’s no reason that you can’t like both sides,” he continued. “You can still be a fan of Arch Enemy and Alissa, if that’s the case. So I think it’s all gonna work out for the best for everyone.”
White-Gluz’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Arch Enemy’s history. She had been the band’s frontwoman for over a decade before the official announcement.
Wikipedia reported that Arch Enemy announced her departure from the band on November 23, 2025, after more than a decade as the frontwoman. The timing of the announcement coincided with White-Gluz’s immediate pivot to her solo career. This demonstrated her readiness to embark on new musical ventures.
On the same day as the departure announcement, Louder Sound noted that White-Gluz released her debut solo single “The Room Where She Died” under the moniker *Alissa*. This release was tied to a long-planned Napalm Records deal that had been in place since 2016. This suggested that her solo career had been in development for years.
Beyond her solo work, Kerrang revealed that White-Gluz has launched a separate band called Blue Medusa. The new group features guitarists Alyssa Day and Dani Sophia, drummer Delaney Jaster, and bassist Alicia Vigil. This marks her return to collaborative music-making in a fresh creative environment.
The former Arch Enemy vocalist’s quick transition into multiple projects demonstrates her commitment to continuing her musical journey despite leaving the Swedish metal band. Her dual approach of pursuing both solo work and forming a new band suggests she is exploring different creative outlets while maintaining her presence in the metal scene.
