Singer Mayara Puertas recently addressed widespread rumors suggesting she would become the new vocalist for Arch Enemy following Alissa White-Gluz’s departure. She clarified her position in a statement shared on Instagram.
The statement focused on dispelling the internet-generated speculation while expressing gratitude for fan support and discussing her connection with former Arch Enemy vocalist Angela Gossow.
“No, I’m not the singer of Arch Enemy. All of this started on the internet — people connected it to one of my posts,” Puertas said. “I’m a huge fan of Arch Enemy, I follow their work, I really admire Angela [Gossow] and I feel inspired by her work, you know? And in such a busy year full of commitments for me, I’ve definitely been listening to the band a lot.”
Despite denying the rumors, Puertas acknowledged the positive response from fans across Latin America.
“But I’m happy and grateful to people — especially for the support from fans in Latin America — who chose me as this successor to Alissa [White-Gluz]. It would be incredible to imagine all of that, right?” she continued. “I’m very thankful. I read amazing things, so many supportive messages from countless friends and artists who believed it.”
When asked about her interaction with Angela Gossow, Puertas revealed that the speculation led to a meaningful connection with the former Arch Enemy frontwoman.
“Yes, I was very happy that Angela, because of this, got to know my work. She has been liking Torture Squad’s posts and following the band,” Puertas responded. “She even liked the post that started all this controversy. There are many fans commenting my name on the band’s page, and that allowed us to get closer.”
Puertas emphasized the value of earning Gossow’s recognition and support for her work with Brazilian band Torture Squad.
“So for me, that’s what has the most value — being able to have the respect of a woman like Angela Gossow is priceless,” she said. “And knowing that she believes in my work, believes in the work of a new generation of vocalists — she follows these singers, she knows all these bands, and she supports them. So for me, that’s the greatest gift I could have. I hope we can meet in person soon, and I’ll be waiting to see a great performance from her at Bang & Beyond.”
The speculation surrounding Puertas emerged amid significant changes within Arch Enemy’s lineup and growing hints about the band’s future direction.
Metal War reported that Arch Enemy confirmed their separation from Alissa White-Gluz on November 23, 2025, after 12 years with the band. White-Gluz had joined the Swedish metal veterans in 2014, replacing Angela Gossow who had served as lead vocalist from 2000 to 2014 before transitioning to a managerial role.
The rumors about Puertas intensified after WikiMetal revealed that she made an enigmatic Instagram post featuring Arch Enemy’s “You Will Know My Name.” Gossow subsequently liked the post and followed Puertas on social media. This interaction sparked widespread speculation among fans about potential connections between the Brazilian vocalist and the Swedish metal band.
Meanwhile, Rock Celebrities noted that Arch Enemy has been teasing major plans for 2026. Recent social media posts suggest possible involvement from Angela Gossow herself. The band’s cryptic teasers have led fans to speculate about Gossow’s potential return to a more active role, though no official announcements have been made regarding the band’s new vocalist.
The timing of these developments has created a perfect storm of speculation. Fans eagerly analyze every social media interaction and post for clues about Arch Enemy’s future lineup. Despite Puertas’ clear denial of joining the band, her connection with Gossow and the ongoing mystery surrounding Arch Enemy’s next chapter continue to fuel discussions within the metal community.
