ANNISOKAY: Aurora (METALCORE): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Annisokay continues his way. Since its creation in 2007, the band hasn't been idle with 2 EPs and 5 albums to its credit. This new album, "Aurora", is illustrated through a beautiful cover with a contemplative post-apocalyptic atmosphere, but strangely enough soothing.

In any case, the least we can say is that this new record was awaited at the turn by the band's fans after the departure of Dave Grunewald in 2019, who was in charge of the throat vocals within the band. But don't panic, the Germans have found in Rudi Schwarzer an excellent replacement who never ceases to shine behind the microphone, with Christoph Wieczorek, the band's guitarist, in clear vocals.

The album opens with the single 'Like A Parasite' and the message is immediately clear. We are in the presence of an FM metalcore song, with a heavy and modern production, supported by very powerful guitars. It could make you think of Linkin Park, which would have consumed doping products. Annisokay offers some songs with very violent verses throughout the opus, as on 'Under Your Tattoo' and its guttural vocals very present. The production is there again particularly modern and the bestial breakdown is not without recalling the sounds and codes of djent, a genre in which the group likes to make incursions from time to time ('The Blame Game' and especially 'I Saw What You Did').

A few small innovations appear sometimes like the very groovy riff of 'Face The Facts' and its original chorus, probably making it the best track on the record. 'The Cocaines Got Your Tongue' and its rapped verses add a bit of spice, while 'Overload', with no throaty vocals, offers a slightly sweeter cocktail than usual.

Still, we're swimming in pure metalcore. All the characteristics of the genre can be found without exception in this album, which lacks originality to really seduce. The caricature is sometimes not very far away, as in the voice of Christoph Wieczorek and his plaintive side. Also, the band confirms in "Aurora" its attraction for electro, an aspect now very present in the quartet's music ('Bonfire Of The Millenials', 'STFU', 'The Tragedy'...). Become very fashionable, this electro element, in addition to being too predictable, is sometimes overdosed, which will surely annoy many fans, fervent defenders of the original style of the German band.

As is often the case with this kind of album, the emphasis is on the big sound, the production is overpowerfull, and in terms of composition, the catchy side predominates. Unfortunately, creativity often shines through in its absence, accentuating the feeling of "already heard". Nevertheless, Annisokay's latest effort remains solid, tailor-made for the stage, which is where we hope the band will be able to go back to in the coming months to give the compositions their full meaning. - Official website

ANNISOKAY

AURORA

AUTRE LABEL

METALCORE