Second only to Japanese success, being "big in Germany" isn't always something to brag about. Nor is winning a battle of the bands competition--which was how Germany's answer to Skunk Anansie were discovered back in 1996. Still, this follow-up to their million-selling debut album, Proud Like A God, leaves little doubt of Guano Apes' future world-class status. A collision of dark nu-metal, and melodies more memorable than most pop songs, "Innocent Greed", "No Speech" and "Money and Milk", are hard, heavy and uncompromising, yet undeniably commercial, riddled with killer hooks and riffs. But if Guano Apes obvious crossover potential is an asset, then Sandra Nasic's stunning vocals are their trump card. Innocent and luscious one minute, all powerful the next, it's her emotionally wrought screech that puts the real spike into the slamming grooves and dense guitar chugging of their heaviest assaults "I Want It" and "Big In Japan" and makes archetypal rock ballads "Living In A Lie" and "Too Close To Leave" so amazingly powerful. --Dan Gennoe