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At the beginning of 2021, Annisokay officially released their fifth studio record Aurora across all platforms, giving a strong start to an amazing year. Just last week, the band dropped a Special Edition, offering 3 re-recorded from Arms (2018), and a full live compilation that is very strong rundown of their best singles to date. Now is as good at a time as any to go back and have a look at a brilliant album that remains current, atmospheric, and painfully relatable, and yet still didn't get the recognition it deserves, with Annisokay remaining one of Europe's most underrated metalcore outfits.
In case you are not familiar with Annisokay and their music, aside from a MJ-inspired name, German origins and a 10th anniversary of their debut coming this year, the band produces a modern metalcore sound with huge atmospheric choruses and rich synth backgrounds. To quote their current label Arising Empire's very own band profile: "Heavy guitar riffs and driving drum rhythms, paired with a mix of melodic goosebumps singing and aggressive shouts." Nothing more, nothing less; nothing new either, yet somehow very unique to them, matured over a very logically developing five records and a lot of hard work.
Come 2021 and Aurora delivered some of the most elegant, structured and polished core sound, at least on the more melodic end. I was curious to see if this will be enough to persuede the mass media and where some finally appreciated their huge potential, most were quick to dismiss them for being repetative and predictable. Reviews and opinions to the side, I see Annisokay as anything but predictable. Yes, for years they have meticulously created a sound that is distinctively theirs, if not groundbreaking; they have continuously pushed the boundaries and experimented with composition and production without fear; and if in that process they have matured to the point of being easily recognisable within a certain tradition, I see no problem in that. Quite the opposite, really, so just stfu.
For Aurora, Annisokay reinvented themselves in ways I was not exing and was pleasently surprised with. Forced to replaced their previous singer, the band introduced long-time friend and seasoned screamer Rudi Schwarzer, who debuts to an absolutely stellar performance with his powerful raw vocals the perfect counterbalance to Christoph Wieczorek's soaring highs. The band truly pushed their own boundaries, opening for even richer melodies, epic climaxes and heavier riffs than even heard from them in the bast. Lyrically, as much as sonically, Aurora is bolder and darker, honest and direct in ways that leaves you breathless at times.
It is impossible to talk about Annisokay without mentioning their founding member and driving engine, the aformentioned clean vocallist and guitarist Christoph. I hate to single out just one member, but credit where credit is due to him for being the creative and imaginative force pushing the band outside of their comfort zone since its very beginning. A composer and producer, he also runs his own Sawdust Recordings studio, working alongside some of the freshest heavy music acts in Germany, supporting and cultivating the scene, linking bands, labels and fans alike and ultimately becoming the core of super talented young community with lots of potential and bright future.
Since their formation in 2007 and under Christoph's watchful eye, Annisokay have grown from a promising local German band to European underdog and, with Aurora, as one of the leaders of the continent's modern melodic metalcore scenes. They have toured the world and suppored the likes of Parkway Drive, but are yet to taste true commercial success. Prior to releasing their previous album Arms, the band signed to Arising Empire whom I have praised over and over again, and it would appear that gave them a new purpose and direction, which also led to rise in popularity. The result is half million monthly listeners in Spotify, and a personal best and well-deserved #18 in the German Album charts.
Throughout their career, Annisokay have remained relevant and relatable, tackling the right issues at the right time in a manner that always sounds authentic and not forced for the sake of virality. Backed with a clever and restrained use of electronics, they seemlessly create a rich and epic atmosphere for their heavy and melodic parts to clash with elegance. In Aurora, this is perfectly conveyed by its title, symbolising a "mystical polar light, full of hope on the dark horizon." Where that mix is hardly new and genre-defying, very few do it with such flair, further strenghtened by that fine balance between the harsh screams and Christoph's effortless cleans.
If you are still not convinced, just listen to the ferocious single 'STFU' that openly destroyed all conspiracy theorist and fake news spreaders, who somehow found a lot of power in recent years. Similarly, 'Like A Parasite', 'Face The Facts' and 'Terminal Velocity' are equally strong, providing a solid dose of pit-starting riffs and sing-along anthemic choruses to drive the crowds mad when we finally get to see the band live again. And if all of this is still not enough, my personal highlight is 'Bonfire of the Millenials', a stunning single driven with lament and rage, leaving a sense of hope and unity, that ultimately combines all of Annisokay's strongest traits with fiery rants, sorrowfull chants and ruthless breakdowns.
Sure, Aurora does have some less impressive parts across its 13 tracks, but the big moments more than make up for it. Alongside mastermind Christoph and newcomer Rudi, are Norbert Rose (bass) and Nico Vaeen (drums), and together they deliver the soundtrack of these turbulent times and the songbook of a generation lost in the fires. Aurora is a must-check album that might as well prove to be a turning point in Annisokay's already impressive repertoir.
Annisokay - 'Aurora'
Country: Germany
Released: 29 January 2021 (Deluxe 4 February 2022)
Label: Arising Empire
Tracklisting:
1. "Like a Parasite"
2. "STFU"
3. "The Tragedy"
4. "Face The Facts"
5. "Overload"
6. "Bonfire of the Millennials"
7. "The Cocaine Got Your Tongue"
8. "Under Your Tattoos"
9. "The Blame Game"
10. "I Saw What You Did"
11. "Standing Still"
12. "Friend of Enemy"
13. "Terminal Velocity"
Deluxe 2022 Tracklisting:
1. "Coma Blue" (2022)
2. "Good Stories" (2022)
3. "Parallel Universe" (2022)
4. "Like A Parasite" (Live)
5. "Bonfire Of The Millennials" (Live)
6. "Good Stories" (Live)
7. "Unaware" (Live)
8. "Under Your Tattoos" (Live)
9. "Fully Automatic" (Live)
10. "Sea Of Trees" (Live)
11. "Face The Facts" (Live)
12. "Coma Blue" (Live)
13. "STFU" (Live)
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