Ankor (ES)

About

Ankor started out as a power metal band in Els Pallaresos, a small village near Barcelona, but the sound they have now is a long way from those roots. They blend alternative metal and metalcore with electronic elements, drawing on influences as varied as Japanese culture, Falling in Reverse, Maximum the Hormone, hip hop, and classical music. British vocalist Jessie Williams fronts the band alongside drummer Eleni Nota, guitarists David Romeu and Fito Martinez, and bassist Julio López, and the lineup has been a key part of shaping that eclectic, hard hitting direction. After years of releases including White Dragon in 2019, the band signed with Australian label UNFD and put out Shoganai in 2024, their debut under that deal. They also have a knack for metal covers of pop hits, having tackled tracks by Billie Eilish and Camila Cabello, which helped broaden their audience well beyond the metal faithful. A live drum solo performance by Eleni Nota at Wacken Open Air 2024 gave fans a taste of the band in full flight on one of metal's biggest stages.