Annisokay: Enigmatic Smile

German metalcore mob get a chorus of approval

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Sporting a name that can’t help but conjure up Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal, these Germans have an obvious love of pop music sensibilities. Throughout Enigmatic Smile, the type of choruses that bear-hug your subconscious come strong and often.

Vocalist/guitarist Christoph Wieczorek’s vocals are so dominant on songs like Life Cycles and Fragile Line that it’s initially hard to acknowledge anything else. But is there more to Annisokay than catchy choruses?

Yes, although not much. When the band try to head in a heavier direction, as they do for the majority of this album, it’s not a lot to write home about. Standard metalcore clichés and pedestrian riffs are the order of the day. It’s not dire, but the likes of Fame aren’t going to be considered anything that is setting the standard for this type of music.

Luckily for the band, when things do start to drag, another killer chorus is only moments away, but it never feels like enough to lift the record to the level you could call essential./o:p

Stephen joined the Louder team as a co-host of the Metal Hammer Podcast in late 2021, eventually becoming a regular contributor to the magazine. He has since written hundreds of articles for Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Louder, specialising in punk, hardcore and 90s metal. He also presents the Trve. Cvlt. Pop! podcast with Gaz Jones and makes regular appearances on the Bangers And Most podcast.