Annisokay - Enigmatic Smile

German quintet Annisokay are back with their masterful genre blending - and they're still quite heavy!You may remember my reviewing this German melodic metalcore quintet's rather impressive debut, The Lucid Dream[er] last year. Amazingly, Annisokay is already back again with their followup, Enigmatic Smile.

The title is based on the timeless mystery of a lovely young French woman found dead in the river Seine (known today as "L’Inconnu de la Seine") of what was assumed to be suicide. The coroner was so taken by the woman's calm, almost smiling expression, he had a cast taken of her face to be displayed decoratively. To this day, the case is unsolved. The music itself is a continuation of the precedent established by their debut album; a thrilling mix of metalcore, melodic death metal, with a touch of electronic (and not being expert, so please don't try to pin me down on what sub-genre of electronic music is actually in play here). These guys just fucking rock, okay?

The Bottom Line: Those melodic metalcore wunderkinds, Annisokay, are back making some of the more interesting metal coming out of Europe these days. Keep in mind it's not that each of the constituent genre influences are new, but the artful blending of them is what these guys do best. Check 'em out.

Tracks That Make Your Neck Go "Uh-oh...": Panic Attack, Fragile Line, and Traveler

- Genghis wishes he was twenty-five years younger (and independently wealthy)...

Damian Murdoch Trio - Electric Tentacles

Aussie ex-pat Damian Murdoch hooked up with some Austrian musicians to form a kick ass power trio. Das klingt gut, nicht wahr?If you know me, you know I love instrumental music, and having it in the form of the power trio is always a treat. From Rush to The Winery Dogs, you just can't beat the infectious vibe of three talented musicians cranking out some amazing music, and the Damian Murdoch Trio is no exception on their

Things kick off aptly with The Opener, a down-and-dirty, bluesy number that prepares you for the album's vibe. The chickin' pickin' attack style of Funky Desert Rider is reminiscent of classic Michael Lee Firkins. And I love the Dennis Chambers-esque intro to the moody Visceral Circles Of The Cosmos. I could describe each tune on the album, but fans of the genre get the idea; this is a classic power trio exercise, where no one instrumentalist outshines the other because the groove is king. Words aren't necessary because the instruments do the talking in a sweet blend of rock, blues, and jazz (and a touch of latin rhythym) that will make it nearly impossible not to air jam along.

The Bottom Line: Australian guitarist Damian Murdoch has joined with two Austrian session musicians, drummer Michael Posch and bassist Harry Stöckl, to make a groove-heavy album that satisfies that power trio jones that never really goes away for long. 'Nuff said!

- Genghis wishes he was in a bad-ass power trio...

Frankenstein Rooster - The Nerdvrotic Sound's Escape

Frankenstein Rooster is some great Freak Kitchen-style musical insanity. And check out all the Easter eggs in this cover art.You may recall my review of Matthias Eklundh's Freak Kitchen (Land of the Freaks) a while back. Their expert blending of different genres into a metallic soup of virtuosity was mind-blowing. Well, thankfully, they aren't the only ones who have such inclinations. Case in point, Frankenstein Rooster and their sophomore release, The Nerdvrotic Sound's Escape.

The band was founded in 2008 by guitarist Raffaello "Rafahel" Indri (Elvenking, Harduo), who was later joined by drummer Camillo Colleluori (Hollow Haze), with their 2009 debut album receiving critical acclaim. Fans of this sort of thing - like myself - know the drill: this is a genre-bending guitar-based free-for-all that, because of its practitioners' level of musical acumen, keeps from becoming a convoluted mess. Instead you get a brilliant aural intersection of rock, funk, jazz, and good old heavy metal interspersed with enough pop culture soundbites to remind you these guys don't take themselves too seriously. If you dig the sound of that, this is your new jam, kids.

The Bottom Line: Fans of bands like Freak Kitchen, who crave this 21st century version of jazz fusion, should look into Frankenstein Rooster. It's a great way to unwind after, say, some extreme technical metal. Soup's on!

- Genghis really digs this kind of stuff...

At The Hollow - What I Hold Most Dear

Finnish trio At The Hollow know how to make some moody post-rock. On that you can rely.What do you get when you cross a guitarist, a percussionist, and a contra-bassist in Helsinki? At The Hollow, of course (where did you come up with that other answer?). And the Finnish trio's latest album, What I Hold Most Dear, is some impressive stuff.

Now while the trio's music isn't particularly heavy, they do often get a bit raucous in their post-rock musings, with guitarist/vocalist Kalle Koo's earnest voice drifting above the din like the orisons of the forlorn rising to heaven. But what really sets this music apart from other similar acts is the synergistic effect of Juho Martikainen's pensive, bowed contrabass and Risto Järvelin's masterfully delicate percussion. Together these elements blend into a deceptively soothing flow that juxtaposes the gloomy lyrical content of this album.

The Bottom Line: In the hands of lesser musicians, What I Hold Most Dear could devolve into a mess of angst, lost amongst the emo bands that crowd the soundscape these days. But At The Hollow has a deft touch that belies a greater musical appreciation.

- Genghis is going to miss the cold weather...

Podcast #188: Fantasy

Over 40 years in the metal business and Udo is STILL rocking the shit out of us. Sehr gut, Herr Dirkschneider!Ever thought about actually going to one of those Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps? You know, the ones where you get to meet famous rock stars and hang out with them like they're old pals of yours? Well, that's just what the boys discuss in this episode, including their idea of what the ideal fantasy camp situation would entail.

Then the boys sit down for a tête-à-tête with the one and only Udo Dirkschneider as he talks aboutthe making of U.D.O.'s latest album, Decadent, and what it was like to sit in the producer's chair this time around.

Video Of The Show: U.D.O. - Live In Sofia

Beer of the Show: Date Night Saison (Clown Shoes Brewery)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.5 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.0 Overall: 3.5	"The lads think one of their favorite breweries has done it again with Clown Shoes' first foray into the Saison arena."

Featured Tracks: At The Gates - At War With Reality; Sweet and Lynch - Dying Rose; Ten - Alone In The Dark Tonight; Thin Lizzy - Hollywood (Down On Your Luck); Kane Roberts - Dance Little Sister; U.D.O. - Like a Lion, Speeder, Untouchable, Words in Flame, Pain and Black Widow

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Warrior - The Rush

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: Skid Row - Quicksand Jesus

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: Sonic Syndicate - The Long Road Home

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: Level 10 - Soul Of A Warrior

- Genghis is amazed at the number of live shows next month...

Podcast #188: Fantasy