Former Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro has made plagiarism accusations against Arch Enemy regarding their new single. This prompted a response from the band’s former vocalist and current manager Angela Gossow, as reported on Instagram.
Loureiro claimed that Arch Enemy’s new single “To The Last Breath” sounds similar to his solo track “Talking Dreams.” He shared his concerns in a social media post.
“Just helping promote Arch Enemy new song… you’re welcome,” Kiko Loureiro wrote in the caption of his post.
Angela Gossow responded directly to Loureiro’s allegations. She defended the band and questioned the approach taken by the guitarist.
“Never heard Kiko’s song before tbh. So 3 notes are the same? Well, I guess that happens quite often in music,” Gossow commented on Kiko’s post. “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 to inspire others.”
Gossow continued her response by expressing disappointment with Loureiro’s public approach to the matter.
“So sad to read a post like this from a guitar player we all respected. What is this good for? If you really feel you got a case, get in touch and discuss professionally, not make such a post,” she stated. “Respectfully, the management who is used to tread carefully with such allegations and prefers to handle things with care.”
Arch Enemy’s Michael Amott also weighed in on the situation. He commented on Loureiro’s post: “Thank you brother… I should pay more attention to your solo work!”
This controversy has sparked broader discussions within the metal community about musical similarities and the proper channels for addressing such concerns.
YouTube analysis revealed that the plagiarism controversy began in late March 2026. This occurred shortly after Arch Enemy released their new single “To The Last Breath.” Loureiro specifically highlighted a section in the new track that he claimed showed excessive similarities to his solo song “Talking Dreams” from his 2024 album Theory of Mind.
The Brazilian guitarist previously played with Angra before joining Megadeth. He has been pursuing his solo career alongside his work with major metal acts. Fan analysis videos showed that independent observers have conducted side-by-side comparisons of the tracks. Some noted what they describe as “undeniable” rhythmic and melodic overlaps between the two songs.
The metal community remains divided on the issue. Various sources reported that some critics affirm clear similarities while others defend Arch Enemy by citing common genre conventions. No unified consensus has emerged among fans and industry observers regarding the validity of Loureiro’s claims.
Despite the public nature of the accusations, no formal plagiarism lawsuits have been announced. The situation remains a public exchange of statements without legal escalation. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in the metal community regarding musical originality and the appropriate methods for addressing concerns about potential similarities between songs.
