Anzi Destruction former lead singer of Finnish rock band Stereo Junks! well known for his exciting and energetic live performances, which included fire breathing, launched his solo career in 2011 when he released his début self produced album ‘High Clash Motherfucker’, on which he played nearly every instrument. As a solo performer the destruction has gone and he’s now know as simply Anzi.
Anzi’s second album ‘Black Dog Bias’ will be released on 22 June 2015 via Chemistry Music Enterprises. A dog lover who has owned Dobermans, he felt that people’s preconceptions of the breed were wholly inaccurate and began to wonder, “What else in this world do we tend to fear and pass over without better knowledge” he was also concerned about “A known phenomenon in animal shelters, where big black dogs are typically overlooked by adopters. Nobody wants them because of the fear and stigma against certain breeds. Too often, big, dark-coated dogs end up being put down“. This phenomenon gave his new album the title ‘Black Dog Bias’.
Anzi wrote and recorded ‘Black Dog Bias’ on three continents, at locations in Helsinki, London, New York and Egypt. He produced the record and played most of the instruments. Mastering was undertaken by Los Angeles-based Dave Collins (QOTSA, Soundgarden, Linkin Park, Alice Cooper), with finishing touches added by a diverse range of musicians, including Sisters of Mercy guitarist Ben Christo and African Djembe player Ike Chime. Anzi’s ex-wife; Finnish author and former Playboy Playmate Katariina Souri, co-wrote some of the lyrics.
On first listen I picked up lots of different elements. I thought of several of the synthpop bands popular in the 80s like Sparks, Visage, Ultravox and The Human League and then later and varied influences such as Placebo, Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, Muse, Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against The Machine to name but a few.
With a seductive voice which draws you into the music and straight into the first track Revival, the first single which was released as a double A with second track I Let You Dive on 26th May. The vocals in Revival reminding me a little of South Texas Death Ride by The Union Underground, whilst I Let You Dive has a flavour of Save Me Now by Billy Idol. Cortex Command with a Rammstein’s Du Hast vibe. God on The Screen an interesting mix of Prodigy’s Firestarter , a bass-line similar to a slowed down You Really Got Me by the Kinks and a bit of a snake-charmer guitar riff thrown into the basket. I thought of Billy Idol again when I got to False Saints but this time the much faster and punkier Whiskey and Pills. Sunburn Jesus another interesting mix, for the prodigal sun, this one starting something like I am the Walrus by The Beatles before merging into something more akin to Breathe by The Prodigy. Big Enemy had a flavour of Marilyn Manson, I’m thinking something from his latest album ‘The Pale Emperor’ say Deep Six.
Lots of interesting and different elements in this album, making it difficult to pigeon hole Anzi into any one category. On his facebook page he’s described as Alternative/Rock/Pop/Punk/Industrial I reckon that just about covers it. Should be something for everyone in here.
Highlight Track – False Saints
Track List:
1. Revival
2. I Let You Dive
3. Cortex Command
4. Fear Is No Prophecy
5. God On The Screen
6. False Saints
7. Sunburn Jesus
8. Big Enemy
9. Nuclear Sire
10. Delusions
11. I Let You Dive [Radio Edit]
- £7.99