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.
In the Pale Moonlight
Christopher Amott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking about the past
Funny it is the older you get
You find the good things never last
She was my woman and I loved her so
I would've given her anything
I look for you in a neon forest
In dreams, I hear you sing
I wanna see you
One more time
I wanna hold you
In the pale moonlight
Oh sometimes you get so lonely
And I dont know where to begin
Birds fly low in the canyon tonight
Looking out for the wind
When you reach the age of 30
Everything's so vague
I used to like those little things
Seems like the colours fade
I wanna see you
One more time
I wanna hold you
In the pale moonlight
-Solo-
I wanna see you
One more time
I wanna hold you
In the pale moonlight
-Solo-
The lyrics of Christopher Amott's song In the Pale Moonlight is a melancholic reflection on the past and the fleeting nature of love and life. The singer sits alone on a broken chair, lost in thoughts about the past, and how good things never seem to last. He remembers his former lover and how deeply he loved her, longing for her presence, hearing her sing in his dreams, and looking for her even in a neon forest. The chorus expresses his desire to see her one more time and hold her in the pale moonlight.
The second stanza carries the same wistful and nostalgic tone, as the singer talks about how lonely he feels and how he does not know where to begin. He uses the symbol of birds flying low in the canyon, looking out for the wind, to depict the uncertainty and confusion that plagues him. Even though he has reached the age of 30, he feels that everything is so vague and that the little things he used to enjoy have lost their charm. The final chorus reiterates his longing to see her and hold her one more time in the pale moonlight.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here on this broken chair
I am currently seated on a chair that is damaged or unstable.
Thinking about the past
My thoughts are focused on events that have already occurred.
Funny it is the older you get
It is ironic how as you grow older, the things you cherish the most become more fleeting.
You find the good things never last
It is a common reality that things we deem good or valuable do not persist.
She was my woman and I loved her so
I had a significant other who I cherished with all my heart.
I would've given her anything
There is nothing I would not have done or given to her, if I had the ability or opportunity.
I look for you in a neon forest
I search for you in a place that is full of artificial lights and structures, a place that is unusual and unlikely to hold you.
In dreams, I hear you sing
You communicate to me through my subconscious thoughts, in the form of melodies or voices.
I wanna see you
One more time
I wanna hold you
In the pale moonlight
I yearn for another chance to see and embrace you, in the dim light of the moon's reflection.
Oh sometimes you get so lonely
Occasionally, the overwhelming feeling of isolation and emptiness manifests in one's emotions.
And I dont know where to begin
I am unsure of how to deal with the complex emotions and thoughts I am experiencing.
Birds fly low in the canyon tonight
A group of birds are traveling at a low altitude, within a long and narrow valley, at the current period of darkness.
Looking out for the wind
The birds are searching or cautious for the direction or strength of the moving air.
When you reach the age of 30
At the point when a person has lived for thirty years.
Everything's so vague
My ability to clearly understand or recall things is reduced, making it difficult to form coherent memories or thoughts.
I used to like those little things
There are certain small or insignificant aspects of life that I once appreciated.
Seems like the colours fade
The vibrancy or richness of colours or experiences diminshes over time, resulting in a blandness or dullness.
-Solo-
A portion of the song where no lyrics are sung, allowing for a showcase of instrumental skill.
I wanna see you
One more time
I wanna hold you
In the pale moonlight
I yearn for another chance to see and embrace you, in the dim light of the moon's reflection.
-Solo-
A portion of the song where no lyrics are sung, allowing for a showcase of instrumental skill.
I wanna see you
One more time
I wanna hold you
In the pale moonlight
I yearn for another chance to see and embrace you, in the dim light of the moon's reflection.
Contributed by Juliana R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.