I think I'm in love... in love with the new album by ANKOR.
How did that happen?
It happened quite simply. I received the CD from the Spanish band, put it in the player, and had already written it off based on the cover, which looked very much like all that glossy vampire and emo nonsense that is currently in fashion. But what did my ears get to hear?
A woman's... no, an angel's voice. Wow, I was blown away.
My goodness, can that woman sing. Beautifully clear, powerful, accented, and full of volume.
And the sound is also not what I expected. It has a very unique style. I know I've said this before, but here it's really true. Metal in all its shades meets impactful melodies. Everything is really included here. A sound that has truly picked the best from the vast ingredient market of metal. And then there's that voice. It's really insane.
The voice goes to the core, touches, lets you dream, sweeps you away, and yet, in its clarity, hardly fits into the evil metal. This band is not evil; it's more like something in that vein. I watched the video for the first song of the album and had to grin widely. It's also just sweet when people want to look fierce but can't quite pull it off. Not coming across as tense or stiff has its charm. A unique self-irony. Whether the band is aware of this or if I'm just reading into it is something to ponder. But it's not necessary.
I much prefer to listen to the songs from “My own Angel.” That voice is simply incredible.
Yes, I know, a band consists of more than one woman, but that voice...
Alright, there are still five guys accompanying the singer. They play guitar, keyboard, drums, and bass. The guitar playing is sometimes supportive, sometimes prominently in the foreground with some intricate playing and solos. It fits in well. What also stands out is the drums. The guy really knows what he's doing. Probably also absolutely necessary, because if you don't have a solid rhythm provider with the mostly elaborately arranged songs, it won't work. Here, they've found a very good man in Jordi Vidal.
It probably also helps if you're not coming from metal, like me, because a hardcore metal fan will certainly have issues with this music.
If I have to name bands that have a somewhat similar style, not much comes to mind.
Nightwish and the like can be forgotten; ANKOR is too hard and simply better for that.
In terms of vocals, bands like Bambix or even Johnnie Rook come to mind far on the horizon. Johnnie Rook might fit quite well, as there too, a male voice partially supports the female lead vocals. There are also demanding arrangements here, but the band comes more from punk, whereas ANKOR clearly comes more from metal.
After their debut in Spanish, ANKOR, which has been around since 2003, has released an album with “My own Angel” that blows me away in its entirety.
Especially the voice of Rosa de la Cruz is absolutely phenomenal, but also the arrangements, the recording, the joy of playing that the band has. Everything fits.
When ANKOR plays in Germany, which I hope they will do soon, I will be standing in the front row, adoring Rosa de la Cruz, that much is certain.
Wow, what an album, but above all, what a voice!
