After the phenomenal success of their 2018 album ‘Arms’ it looked like post-hardcore band Annisokay, known for their shape-shifting line-up, might finally have found the winning formula. Yet, true to form, the following year they formally, and amicably, parted ways with frontman Dave Grunewald. So, the fact that the fifth studio album is called ‘Aurora’ is telling. Aurora is the Roman goddess of the sunrise, whose tears formed the morning dew. She would renew herself daily by travelling from east to west across the sky. Or maybe there’s just a weird light on the horizon?
Changing a frontman is quite a step to take. In the last five years or so Annisokay have released two successful LPs and an EP, completed an impressive 72-date tour spanning nine countries, taken a tour break and then returned as support to the likes of Parkway Drive and I Set My Friends on Fire. Their last studio album charted at number 26 in Germany, no mean feat for a metal band, it was their most successful album thus far. It begs the question of whether they can sustain this success after such a significant reinvention. The new face of Annisokay is ‘unclean’ vocalist Rudi Schwarzer who has been a longtime friend of the band and its long-standing members Christoph Wieczcrek now on clean vocals and lead guitar, Norbert Kayo (Bass) as well as Nico Vaeen (Drums since 2016).
They open the new album with single ‘Like a Parasite’, which came out in July 2020, and immediately hammer home a message of confidence. No finding our feet here… we have arrived. There are ominous and possibly unfounded rumours that this track with the cutting lyrics ‘I give my all, shoot for the stars. You feed yourself while I starve’ is directed at Grunewald. If so, it is obvious any anger and hurt has been channeled into creative use, the result of which is fabulously venomous. Especially as it builds towards the crescendo. The video gathered over half a million views in six months. It is a new beginning, cutting yourself free from that which is bleeding you dry.
Having had to cancel their planned 2020 promotional European tour due to the pandemic, a behind the scenes video has been released of the making of the video for ‘Like A Parasite’. Might need to read that again. Confidence in their new vocalist is highlighted by the fact that the second single released from ‘Aurora’ in April 2020 was written by him. ‘STFU’ expresses rage at the endless misleading or propaganda influenced news stories that people blindly follow in our modern western societies. The political message: form an original opinion, hits a post-hardcore punk note with the listener. What a screamer they have here in Schwarzer… but musically Annisokay return to their emo-melodic roots as Wieczcrek’s soft vocal dominates here. The track is overlaid by electro-synth beats, but it all sits well, nicely mixed and seamless.
‘The Tragedy’ was aired in November 2020 after the album was postponed by a month making it the umpteenth (?) track from the album available prior to release. With respect to what else is here, it really doesn’t stand out but ‘Face The Facts’, released in August of the same year follows with a feedback fuelled intro and a killer riff that won’t let go. Add in some impressive shrieking from Schwarzer and the addictive bassline and the whole thing knits together to make this one a captivating standout.
‘Bonfire of The Millenials’ (previously featured in our ‘Video Of The Week’ slot) is a close to the bone rant at the destruction of the future; ‘And your generation dines, but the next one pays the bill’. Nevertheless, it doesn’t inspire being a straight forward blame-game effort, it’s that generation’s fault. As we might say in Scotland… Is it, Aye?
Nevertheless, another prequel released in January 2021, ‘The Cocaine’s Got Your Tongue’ recaptures the attention as it’s massive breakdowns and head-banging riffs paint it as a live favourite.
Thus far in the album it’s all been a bit undular, and thorough it’s been a good, ahem ride, I’ve found myself keening after a heavier sound, less screamo and more metal. It finally appears in ‘Under Your Tattoos’, co-written by Wieczcrek and Schwarzer. Think Bury Tomorrow rather than Bring Me The Horizon, except of course when the clean vocals come in and it tips back to the melody. It is here they need to diversify. It is here where the sound can become repetitive.
They continue to push forward and ‘I Saw What You Did’ is heavier still, but the production becomes a bit messy as the synths, screaming and relentless drum rhythm all meld into a molten soup. When the gain is up on everything it just becomes overbearing noise, and I like noise. Yet I’m happy that they went there, it’s a peek at what may be possible. Hey, maybe that was the point? There’s so much going on here. The album ends on ‘Terminal Velocity’ which is one of those where your attention drifts and is won again, drifts and is drawn back. One that will doubtless draw you helplessly in. What a bastard. Love it.
Despite the cocksure entrance, Annisokay clearly still has some stuff to work out. What they have however, is already magnetic and that makes up for the couple of tracks that probably could have been cut. Would you rather have eight amazing tracks and five growers or just eight? I’ll let you argue with yourself over that. ‘You always told me that I should think about the future’. What might Annisokay make of what they already have as they gain some more experience with each other. Now there’s an inviting thought! Who am I kidding? This album is going to be huge.
- ‘Aurora’ is released on Friday (29 January). You can get your copy HERE.
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