Biography
Inspired by his older brother Michael Amott's band Carcass, Christopher began studying the guitar at 14, playing in local bands, and eventually attending music college at age 18. With aggressive, fast vibrato, speedy alternate-picking, and fluid lead lines, Christopher's memorable playing style was crafted after such players as John Sykes, Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, John Norum, and Michael Schenker.
While attending music school in 1996, Michael asked Christopher to record solos for his new melodic death metal project Arch Enemy. The Black Earth album was released in Japan in 1996, and was an instant hit, receiving regular airplay on Japanese MTV. The band were invited to play Japan in 1997, and it was there that Christopher secured a deal for his Armageddon side project. The project began as a melodic death metal band, similar in style to Arch Enemy, but with a more conceptual feel to the lyrics. Armageddon released their first album Crossing the Rubicon on W.A.R. records in 1997. The album featured Peter Wildoer and Martin Bengtsson, who would also go on to record Stigmata with Arch Enemy in 1998. The Stigmata album was again a success in Japan, and was the first Arch Enemy album to be released in the USA, on Century Media records.
With Arch Enemy gaining ground worldwide, Christopher would go on to release Burning Bridges and Burning Japan Live 1999, both in 1999, then take a well deserved break until the latter part of 2000, when Armageddon released their second album Embrace the Mystery on Toy's Factory records in Japan. This time featuring a "melodic" singer, and more of an overall power metal feel, the album was a drastic shift from the straight ahead melodic death metal of Crossing the Rubicon, and marked Christopher's desire to branch out of the "extreme metal" genre.
In 2001, Arch Enemy were joined by new singer Angela Gossow, and the band reached new heights in worldwide popularity with the release of Wages of Sin. After completing an exstensive world tour with Arch Enemy, Christopher returned to his Armageddon project, and released Three in 2002 on Toy's Factory records in Japan. This time featuring Christopher on lead vocals, the album was almost purley a power metal effort, focusing on the melodic singing and guitar work of Christopher.
Arch Enemy released Anthems of Rebellion in 2003, and again embarked on a world tour. In 2005, the band entered the studio to record Doomsday Machine, but immediately after the recording, Christopher left Arch Enemy. Christopher later stated that he "wasn't feeling creative musically" in Arch Enemy, and that he "just wasn't into (the band) anymore."
Christopher spent the next two years teaching music in Sweden, as well as attending a university. It is currently unknown if he will return to his Armageddon project, but he says that he still "plays guitar constantly, several hours a day", but also says that "If I do some kind of record it won't be metal" But of course he has changed his mind with that (making the new arch album). [1]
In March 2007 Christopher announced his return to Arch Enemy as a permanent member. He re-joined the band near the end of the songwriting process for the next album, which has been completed.
In 2010, Christopher released his first solo album entitled Follow Your Heart, exclusively as a digital album. He is currently writing Arch Enemy's next album, Khaos Legions
Equipment
Christopher Amott is endorsed by Caparison Guitars, Japan. His custom 'Dellinger-CA' guitar (production now discontinued, currently custom made) has two Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickups in the neck and middle position, and a Caparison bridge humbucker.
From Here To There
Christopher Amott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To still this doubt in my mind
Every night I sit and look
Think about the time it took
To get from here to there
Oh
If only I could get it back
Like a sailor who never knows
Which way the wind blows
Or how to get from here to there
Yeah
Need something to hang on to
Not the kind that makes you blue
Keep on praying for my soul
But I hear the devil shuffling coal
When truth comes
Tumbling down the stairs
You end up with sad affairs
That lead from here to there
Everyday I seek and find
To still this doubt in my mind
Don't you try and understand
I'm like the shifting sands
That move from here to there
The lyrics of From Here to There by Christopher Amott explores the human struggle to find purpose and meaning in life, and the challenges we face in navigating through the uncertainties and adversities that come our way. The song talks about the constant search for clarity amidst the doubts that plague our minds, and the desire to retrace our steps and find our way back to the path that we know is right. Through the use of metaphors and vivid imagery, the singer expresses the feeling of being lost and directionless, like a sailor who is at the mercy of the wind and a shifting sand that is constantly moving.
The first verse of the song talks about the daily search for answers to the questions that haunt our minds, and the effort to find a sense of stillness amidst the chaos. The second verse delves into the frustration that comes with feeling like we are not making progress, and the fear of being consumed by the darkness that seems to be lurking around us. The chorus talks about the need for something solid to hold onto in order to navigate through the storms of life, and the struggle to hold onto hope when everything seems hopeless.
The bridge of the song explores the idea that sometimes, in order to find our way, we have to let go of the things that are holding us back, even if it means facing the harsh reality of our situation. The last verse brings the song full circle, with the singer acknowledging that life is constantly changing, and that the only constant is the need to keep moving forward, even when there is no clear destination in sight.
Overall, From Here to There is a poignant and introspective song that speaks to the heart of the human experience, and the universal struggle to find meaning and direction in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday I seek and find
Christopher Amott is constantly searching for answers and solutions.
To still this doubt in my mind
He is trying to overcome his uncertainty and hesitation.
Every night I sit and look
He spends a lot of time reflecting on his journey and progress.
Think about the time it took
He contemplates how long the journey has been and what he has accomplished so far.
To get from here to there
Christopher Amott is pondering the distance he has traveled and how far he still has to go.
Oh
This is an interjection expressing frustration or longing.
If only I could get it back
He wishes he could go back in time and make different choices or take different paths.
Thought I was on the right track
Christopher Amott believed he was making the right choices at the time.
Like a sailor who never knows
He feels lost and uncertain, like a sailor who is directionless on a ship at sea.
Which way the wind blows
He is unsure which direction to head in or how to navigate his journey.
Or how to get from here to there
Christopher Amott is unsure of how to make it to his desired destination.
Yeah
This is an interjection used for emphasis or agreement.
Need something to hang on to
He is searching for stability or something to keep him grounded.
Not the kind that makes you blue
He wants something positive that won't bring him down or make him feel sad.
Keep on praying for my soul
He is open to spiritual guidance or support.
But I hear the devil shuffling coal
He feels tempted or swayed by negative forces or influences.
When truth comes
This is an indication that the artist is about to share something honest or revealing.
Tumbling down the stairs
He is describing a sudden, jarring experience that may be painful or difficult to deal with.
You end up with sad affairs
He implies that these experiences can lead to negative outcomes or emotions.
That lead from here to there
He is still describing the journey and trying to make sense of it.
Don't you try and understand
The artist implies that his experience is unique and difficult to explain.
I'm like the shifting sands
He feels like he is constantly changing or moving, which can be unpredictable or unstable.
That move from here to there
He is still trying to make sense of his journey and how it has led him to where he is now.
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bartolomeus9
Great to hear Christopher Amott do this! And a great song on its own merits.