Lauren Hart is the new lead vocalist of Swedish melodic death metal legends Arch Enemy, officially announced as the replacement for Alissa White-Gluz in early 2026. Known for her devastating growls and powerful melodic range, Hart brings over a decade of extreme metal experience to one of the genre’s most iconic bands. Here’s everything you need to know about her.
Who Is Lauren Hart of Arch Enemy?
Lauren Hart is an American heavy metal vocalist best known as the co-founder and frontwoman of Los Angeles-based melodic death metal band Once Human. Born in Anaheim, California and raised in Australia, Hart developed her vocal style from an early age, eventually gravitating toward the more aggressive end of the metal spectrum. She is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted extreme vocalists of her generation, capable of seamlessly switching between guttural death metal growls and soaring clean vocals within the same song.
Michael Amott, guitarist and founder of ARCH ENEMY, says about Lauren: “Connecting with Lauren has marked an important step in my journey. Working with her was an exceptional experience, her remarkable voice, coupled with her dedication and professionalism, brings a rare level of excellence. I look forward to continuing the collaboration.”
How Did Lauren Hart Get Her Start in Metal?
Hart’s professional career in metal began in earnest in 2014, when she co-founded Once Human alongside Logan Mader, the producer and former guitarist of groove metal giants Machine Head. The connection came through Monte Conner, a veteran A&R executive with a long track record of signing landmark metal acts. From the very beginning, Once Human was built around Hart’s voice as its defining asset, blending modern djent-influenced heaviness with melodic hooks and Hart’s chameleonic vocal delivery.
Over the course of four studio albums, Once Human carved out a loyal following in the metal underground, earning praise from critics and peers alike. Their music showcased Hart’s full range, from pummeling extreme metal passages to anthemic, emotionally charged clean sections, establishing her as a vocalist who could hold her own in any corner of the heavy music world.
What Bands Has Lauren Hart Performed With?
Aside from her work with Once Human, Lauren Hart has toured as a supporting vocalist for Kamelot, the long-running American power metal band known for their theatrical sound and devoted global fanbase. Her performances with Kamelot introduced her to a much wider audience and demonstrated her versatility, power metal demands a very different vocal approach to the visceral aggression of Once Human’s material, and Hart handled both with ease.
Those touring years proved important not just for exposure, but for honing Hart’s stage presence and her ability to perform night after night at a consistently high level, exactly the kind of endurance a frontwoman needs in a band that operates on the scale of Arch Enemy.
Was Lauren Hart Inspired by Angela Gossow?
Yes. Angela Gossow, the Swedish vocalist who fronted Arch Enemy from 2000 to 2014 and is widely credited with helping bring female extreme metal vocals into the mainstream, has been cited as a key influence on Hart’s vocal style. Gossow’s signature approach, combining raw aggression with precision and control, set a new benchmark for what was possible in the genre, and her impact is clearly audible in the way Hart approaches her own growls.
This makes Hart’s appointment particularly fitting. Not only does she share a stylistic lineage with Gossow, but her debut single with Arch Enemy, “To The Last Breath,” draws direct comparisons to the Gossow era in terms of tone, energy, and intensity. It is the kind of full-circle moment that feels earned rather than manufactured.
What Is the Connection Between Lauren Hart and Arch Enemy?
The connection between Lauren Hart and Arch Enemy runs deeper than a simple job vacancy being filled. Hart’s vocal style, rooted in the same tradition of female-fronted Scandinavian melodic death metal that Gossow helped define, makes her a natural fit for the band’s sound and identity. Her appointment was heavily anticipated by fans in the weeks before the official announcement, as Arch Enemy’s cryptic teaser campaign sent the metal community into speculation overdrive.
Angela Gossow, who has managed Arch Enemy since stepping away from the microphone in 2014, was closely involved in the transition. When Gossow confirmed via social media that she was not the mystery vocalist in the teasers but was “very excited to be involved in this new chapter as a manager,” many fans took it as a signal that whoever was coming next had her full endorsement.
Why Did Alissa White-Gluz Leave Arch Enemy?
Alissa White-Gluz, the Canadian vocalist who fronted Arch Enemy from 2014 to 2025, announced her departure at the end of 2025 after more than a decade with the band. In her statement, White-Gluz described the split as mutual and forward-looking, expressing gratitude toward the band’s fans and hinting at new solo material already in the works. Shortly after, she released her debut solo single, signalling the beginning of a new chapter for her as an independent artist.
Her exit marked the end of an era that had seen Arch Enemy release several acclaimed albums and maintain their status as one of melodic death metal’s premier live acts globally.
What Is Lauren Hart’s First Song with Arch Enemy?
Lauren Hart’s debut single with Arch Enemy is titled “To The Last Breath.” Released in early 2026, the track immediately drew praise from the metal community for its old-school energy, a callback to the raw, driving sound of early Arch Enemy records from the Gossow era. Hart’s performance on the song is commanding, her growls visceral and controlled in equal measure, leaving little doubt that she is built for this role.
Mihcael Amott adds: “Make no mistake: this song is a reckoning. Musically, it’s unapologetically aligned with my original vision for the band, and I believe longtime fans will recognize that immediately. Lyrically, it’s about seeing through deception and dismantling the illusion of control. It captures that moment when you realize you’ve been fed poison, and you choose to fight back. Once that clarity hits, there’s no retreat. It’s do or die.”
“To The Last Breath” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
What Does Lauren Hart Sound Like?
Hart’s vocal style is best described as a bridge between old-school Swedish melodic death metal aggression and modern extreme metal versatility. Her growls are deep, powerful, and precisely controlled, drawing frequent comparisons to Angela Gossow, while her clean vocals carry genuine melodic weight rather than serving as mere decoration. She does not simply switch between two modes; she blends them, using dynamics and texture to shape a song’s emotional arc.
On “To The Last Breath,” the Gossow comparisons are immediate and intentional-sounding. For fans who felt Arch Enemy had drifted slightly from their most abrasive roots, Hart’s arrival feels like a recalibration.
Is Lauren Hart Still in Once Human?
As of the time of this writing, no official statement has been made regarding Hart’s status within Once Human following her confirmed recruitment by Arch Enemy. However, Blabbermouth reports that Lauren Hart has left Once Human, referring to her as a former member of the band. Further updates are expected as Arch Enemy move into their next album cycle.
