ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ On Danger Of Using Her Platform To Voice Her Opinions: 'Even Just Being A Woman In Metal Is Something That Already Puts A Target On My Head'

In a new interview with Viva!, the U.K.'s leading vegan campaigning charity, Alissa White-Gluz, the powerful Canadian metal vocalist and passionate activist for animal rights, touched upon the polarization between the two major American political parties and how so many people fearful of publicly voicing their opinions due to concerns about social sanctions for expressing unwelcome views. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Even just being a woman in metal is something that already puts a target on my head. And, of course, being vegan and being — whatever you wanna call political views. I mean, I'm not American — I can't vote either way when it comes to those politics — but I obviously agree with some things from both sides, but more leaning towards progressive and liberal values. And that puts a target on my head, too.

"It's a scary time, for sure," she continued. "I have friends that are right-wing. I have friends that are carnivore. I have lots of people in my life that I love, and one aspect of who they are doesn't change the fact that I care about them. I'm not judging their entire personality on one tiny aspect of it. But we live in a society where people do that. They're, like, 'I hate vegans, and you're a vegan, so I hate you.' Or, 'I hate liberals, and you're a liberal, so I hate you.' And it's a shame, because there's so much more to life than that. And I feel like people are kind of losing that now. They think that they have to hate certain people, and they have to align themselves with a very strict label, and you don't have to do that. You can actually be an individual and be yourself. But I think people are really afraid to be like that now."

White-Gluz's new band BLUE MEDUSA made its live debut on September 4 as one of the headliners of the Corrupted Blood Club Show at Huxleys Neue Welt in Berlin, Germany.

The former ARCH ENEMY and THE AGONIST vocalist is joined in BLUE MEDUSA by guitarists Alyssa Day (MINDSCAR, ABSENTIA) and Dani Sophia (ex-Till Lindemann). Bassist Alicia Vigil (DRAGONFORCE, VIGIL OF WAR) and drummer Delaney Jaster (STITCHED UP HEART) are also taking part in BLUE MEDUSA's live shows.

BLUE MEDUSA has released three singles so far: "Crocodile", "Checkmate" and "Flying Monkey".

At this year's Wacken Open Air, Alissa spent her birthday weekend appearing across three different stages, including joining Bear McCreary to perform their original collaboration "Our Kingdom", the official Wacken anthem. She also appeared with Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein for a special signing session at Summer Breeze.

At Sonic Temple and Welcome To Rockville, Alissa stepped up to front DRAGONFORCE, delivering two electrifying performances. She has also made multiple surprise appearances with ICE NINE KILLS throughout Europe and North America, including at Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park, Stuttgart, Heavy Week-End, Inkcarceration and Rock The Park. At Hellfest, Alissa performed a special acoustic set with SAVAGE LANDS before making another surprise appearance alongside SEPULTURA during "Kaiowas".

Alissa will front DRAGONFORCE once again for the "Inhumane Rampage" anniversary tour this fall in North America.

White-Gluz, former vocalist of Canadian extreme metallers THE AGONIST, joined ARCH ENEMY in 2014 as the replacement for Angela Gossow.

ARCH ENEMY released four studio albums with White-Gluz on vocals: "War Eternal" (2014),"Will To Power" (2017),"Deceivers" (2022) and "Blood Dynasty" (2025).

Throughout her career, the now-41-year-old Alissa has consistently used her music as a vehicle for social change, addressing pressing issues such as environmental conservation, veganism, and the ethical treatment of animals.

ARCH ENEMY played its final show with White-Gluz at the closing concert of the band's European "Blood Dynasty" 2025 tour with AMORPHIS, ELUVEITIE and GATECREEPER on November 15, 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany.