Schedule
Annisokay: the German band returns with new songs at the head of the modern metalcore trio
Annisokay will be performing their new EP live on 20 October. The German post-hardcore band will play at the Barba Negra Blue Stage, alongside two other metalcore bands, Norway's Fixation and Scotland's To Kill Achilles.
Annisokay is a renowned representative of the German modern metal scene: their powerful, dynamic yet emotional songs are now widely known and loved. Formed in 2007, the band is characterised by an overwhelming rhythm section, heavy and driving guitar runs, and melodic vocals and choruses, unsettled by aggressive interludes. Progressive metal, pop and EDM influences are also present in the songs, but the (post-)hardcore character dominates without contradiction.
On their records, Annisokay explore social problems, human emotions and the difficulties of relationships with a sombre approach. Since its formation, Christoph Wieczorek has been responsible for the clean vocals, providing a trademark sound and emotive delivery. Their fifth full-length album, 2021's Aurora, was the first collaboration with current brass-strumming vocalist Rudi Schwarzer. The addition of Rudi, a powerful and penetrating organist, opened a new chapter in the band's life: the album opened at number 18 on the German record sales charts on its release, and was presented on a highly successful European tour in 2022, including a show in Budapest.
This year, Peter Leukhardt joined the band as a new bass player, and the band is finally coming out with new songs: a video for Human was released in the spring, followed by a video for Calamity in the summer. Both are featured on the 6-track EP Abyss Pt I, out on 22 September via Arising Empire.
"Calamity is a special, metalcore version of Leony's (a German pop singer) song Remedy; it's about the struggle to get rid of something that won't let go. The lyrics describe the intense, inner struggle we go through to break out of a scary situation. We really enjoyed the work we put into turning what was originally an upbeat song into a somber, heavy metalcore piece." - says the band in a statement.
Also on the Abyss tour will be To Kill Achilles, a well-known representative of the Scottish post-hardcore scene, who also released their third full-length album on Arising Empire in August. "The Recovery album is about trauma, tragedy and loss. There's been a lot of talk about the negatives and no one can live in that mood forever, so we're shifting focus and concentrating on healing, recovery and regaining control of your life on the album. Thank you to all those who have stuck with us over the years, let's help each other through the tough times ahead and celebrate the good things together."
First up on 20 October is a Norwegian band, Fixation, who have been active since 2020, who will be making their debut on the Barba Negra Blue Stage. The band only released their debut album More Subtle Than Death this year, but they've already enjoyed a solid profile thanks to previous singles, and have recently toured the continent with Devin Townsend and Imminence.