Enigmatic Smile is the second album from Deutsche metallers Annisokay. For a band stylising themselves as a melodic Metalcore outfit, it seems a bit strange to hear they are named in response to a question from a Michael Jackson record, Annie are you okay? from Smooth Criminal.
hat aside these guys are the real deal. 6 foot 7 frontman Dave Grunewald is rightly listed as the scream vocalist and goes about his trade with usual frontman aplomb, whilst singing vocals fall to Christoph Wieczorek’s melodic lilt.
The balance is good and each vocal style is a great counterpoint to the other. Gone are the days when European fare in the rock word was limited to UFO or Scorpions these are a considered contemporary and welcome addition to the genre, with Stone Sour and Linkin Park style song structure this album plays well with all 11 tracks up to muster.
For those wishing to add some Germanic swagger to their rock base then this is certainly a good shout. Europe is certainly starting to deliver with style again in the metal arena
9/11
Iain @docswallow
ANNISOKAY are:
Vocals (Screams) – Dave Grunewald
Vocals (Singing) & Guitars – Christoph Wieczorek
Guitars – Phillip Kretzschmar
Bass – Norbert Rose
Drums – David Hermann