Anims is:
Elle Noir: Lead & Backing Vocals
Francesco Di Nicola: Guitars & Bass Guitar
Paolo Caridi: Drums
May 31st sees Anims release their second album, “Good n’ Evil.”
Before my review, we can dip into the official release material that gives us the background.
We have an album that came from studio work from Francesco Di Nicola (Danger Zone, Crying Steel, Krell), author and co-author of the songs who plays both the bass guitars and guitars; the arrangement and writing of the drum tracks are done by Paolo Caridi (Ellefson-Soto, Reb Beach, Geoff Tate, Michele Luppi), a professional with international experience with whom Francesco Di Nicola has already collaborated on the recent “Deserts” album by Krell.
The vocals come from Elle Noir, a popular factor in the 2022 debut album “God is a Witness.” The diffusion and intensity of the choruses, two pairs of rhythmic guitars that virtualize the presence of two guitarists, and the processing of sound, are the elements that give the work a particularly rich setting.
“Good ‘n’ Evil” contains “Liar” and “Satellite,” two unreleased songs from the time in which Francesco Di Nicola collaborated with Crying Steel in the early 90s: a period without publications for the Bolognese group despite their constant presence in the metal scene. The physical CD features one more track, not present on the digital version: “Victim of Time,” the title track of the album with which Danger Zone officially debuted in 1984 and in whose lineup Francesco Di Nicola was present.
The lyrics of the album, mainly composed by Chiara Mencarelli and integrated by Francesco Di Nicola, co-producers of this album, are of profound spiritual inspiration. As the title “Good ‘n’ Evil” suggests, the common denominator is the contrast between good and evil and the elevation to victory of the former over the latter. Biblical references are frequent, and the reflection of a meeting place between man and man and between man and God is reoccurring.
Anyway, on with the review, I’m looking forward to rocking out. It’s late at night, and I’m in bed with the headphones on (the cat’s at the end of the bed) and a late night cup of tea!. Let’s see how this one goes!
The review:
“The Cherubims” gets the guitars up and blasting, the vocals flying over the notes, and the first track kicking us off the starting line.
“Fear of the Night” was one I liked, and I may have placed this as the opening. It has a pounding drum beat, and the vocals from Elle Noir find their own here. A great commercial rock radio chorus, plenty of energy and one that would sound great live, I’m sure.
“Where Were You?” leads us in with a nice instrumental break, the guitars layered to create a pleasing rock melody that Elle then attacks with some fist punching vocals. It is one to remember for a great guitar solo and a bittersweet lyric.
“Satellite” delivers really good rock n’roll. It has good times and rock n’roll stamped all over it. Loads of great little guitar breaks and plenty of instrumental passion again from those drums anchor the track.
“Leviathan” was a melodic hard rocker, a track in a hurry with vocals that kept the energy high in the mix. A very catchy chorus and heavy drums add to the ride.
“Dry Bones” starts with a choral vocal solo before the guitars hit in. We enter the valley of the dry bones here (from Ezekiel, if you want the reference). They do deliver stories in the lyrics, and this track allows the narrative to really lead the track. It has a more than decent riff.
“Liars” changes the tone and brings a ballad at first, acoustic guitar and another softer side to Elle’s vocals, before it rips into a rock vibe that reminded me a bit of Poison (the band rather than the Alice Cooper song).
“Lena” is a heavier track, darker and with a nod toward prog rock. Again, it is led by the narrative, a dark path winding through the melody.
“Victim of Time” (CD exclusive bonus track) rips along at a pace. Fast guitars, big drums and vocals kill it. I liked the little guitar breaks in it.
“Nebuchadnezzar.” There can’t be too many songs named after Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylonia). Just getting his name to fit the rhythm is a bit of a triumph. It tells a story, delivers a good riff, and has some nice touches of melody in there.
“Good’n’Evil” struts its way to the close of the album. A confident rock groove.
This is solidly enjoyable rock music with a bit of a linked concept between the tracks and some great guitar work, drumming and slick vocals. Sound wise, they have a distinctive enough identity, helped by the female vocals, layered on a melodic heavy guitar, and drum sound. It is also distinctive in the narratives and different connections to older tales. I wish them well, and they should continue to gain listeners and admirers with this great second album.
Standout tracks are “Fear of the Night,” “Satellite,” and “Dry Bones.”
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By Stevie Ritson