Arch Enemy has issued an official response to plagiarism claims made by former Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro. The Swedish metal band shared evidence to counter accusations regarding their new single “To The Last Breath” on Instagram.
The Swedish metal band released a video titled “The Original Files” to address Loureiro’s claims that their track sounds similar to his solo song “Talking Dreams.”
“In light of a recent copyright infringement accusation against Arch Enemy made by Brazilian YouTuber/guitarist Kiko Loureiro and his lawyer, we feel it best to present clear evidence proving this to be a false claim,” Arch Enemy wrote. “In this video you can see and hear the early demos in 2022 which led to becoming ‘To The Last Breath.'”
The band emphasized their documented creative process as proof of the song’s original timeline.
“Anyone familiar with our creative process knows that we document extensively,” they continued. “Demos, drafts, and iterations are part of how we build our sound. In this case, that documentation unquestionably establishes the timeline.”
Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott also provided a direct response to Loureiro’s accusations.
“Hey Kiko, sorry to disappoint you and your lawyer, but as you can see and hear, I had the melody back in 2022 already, 2 years before you released your song,” Amott said. “Any similarities are purely coincidental. Enjoy the video and good luck with your music, I will continue to not listen to it. Cheers!”
This dispute represents the latest in a series of high-profile plagiarism accusations within the metal community. It highlights the ongoing tensions between artists over musical similarities and creative ownership.
KLAQ reported that the controversy began when Loureiro made public accusations of plagiarism against Arch Enemy. Comparison videos emerged that analyzed the similarities between the two tracks. The Brazilian guitarist’s claims specifically targeted the melodic elements of “To The Last Breath.” He suggested they bore striking resemblance to his instrumental composition “Talking Dreams.”
The metal community’s reaction to the dispute has been mixed. Lambgoat noted that YouTube comparison videos have fueled debate among fans about whether the similarities represent coincidence or potential infringement. These side-by-side analyses have become a focal point for discussions about the fine line between musical inspiration and plagiarism in the metal genre.
Former Arch Enemy vocalist Angela Gossow also weighed in on the controversy. She offered a perspective that contrasts sharply with Loureiro’s approach. Metal Head Zone revealed that Gossow dismissed the claims as “sad and unprofessional.” She stated her own philosophy on musical similarities.
“I have heard a lot of Arch Enemy notes in other songs but would never accuse the other band of plagiarism… more the contrary, I would probably feel honoured,” Gossow said. She suggested that musical influences and coincidental similarities should be viewed as compliments rather than grounds for legal action.
The dispute centers around alleged similarities between the two tracks. Arch Enemy now provides documented evidence of their song’s creation timeline predating Loureiro’s release. No formal lawsuits have been confirmed in connection with the accusations. The matter remains at the level of public statements and social media exchanges between the parties involved.
