Alissa White‐Gluz

Early Life

Alissa White-Gluz was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as the second of three children in a family with a rich cultural background. Her grandparents were Jewish prisoners during World War II, managing to escape concentration camps, and their harrowing experiences inspired her to write the song "First Day in Hell" with her band Arch Enemy. Alissa's sister, Jasamine White-Gluz, is also a musician, leading the Montreal-based band No Joy.

Career

Alissa's musical journey began in 2004 when she co-founded the metalcore band The Agonist, initially known as Tempest. As the lead vocalist, she released three albums before departing in 2014 to join the Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, replacing Angela Gossow. During her tenure with Arch Enemy, she released four studio albums and two live albums, solidifying her status in the metal scene. After over a decade, she announced her departure from Arch Enemy in November 2025.

In 2026, Alissa formed a new band called Blue Medusa and joined the British power metal band DragonForce as a second lead vocalist. She also embarked on a solo career, signing with Napalm Records to release her self-titled album, which features collaborations with members of Kamelot.

Personal Life and Activism

Alissa has been a vegan since 1998 and is known for her activism, particularly in animal rights. She has received recognition from PETA for her efforts, including a Libby award for her campaign against seal hunting. In addition to her musical pursuits, she has expressed her love for classical and 1990s grunge music, citing bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden as influences. Alissa is in a relationship with Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, the guitarist of the Misfits, and identifies as an atheist, although she respects religious individuals.