Annisokay have already released three full length albums and a 4-track cover EP of Michael Jackson’s classics, to honour the inspiration of the band’s name. The unusual name came to the founder’s minds when they were discussing interesting lyrics of other artists. In Michael Jackson’s song “Smooth Criminal”, a girl called Annie is attacked in her apartment. But why? And is Annie okay? The idea of the band name is to give a positive answer to this question, so: yes, Annisokay! I have already said elsewhere that metalcore isn’t my favourite genre, but when it is played as well as this then one wonders why the others even bother.

The drums are dynamic and hard hitting, piano and keyboards have their place, live violins make a difference here and there, but what strikes the listener immediately about the sound is just how huge it is. This is an immense sounding album, so when the guitars really make their presence felt everything jumps. There are is contrast everywhere, the two singers work incredibly well together, showing just why metalcore has become such a prevalent genre in recent years, as when they bounce off each other the intensity is palpable. They can lock it down like a demented Meshuggah, or have wonderfully sung clean vocals over delicate piano, and all that happening within the same song. There are hooks everywhere, and the arrangements are very solid indeed. Metalcore may not be a genre I go to often, but when I do, it will be to bands like Annisokay as this is easily one of the best examples of that form I have come across.

Rating: 8/10

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https://www.annisokay.com/
https://www.arising-empire.com/