Progressive Rock ensemble Ape Shifter released their melodically forceful self-titled debut album back in March 2017 and will now bring forth their sophomore album, Ape Shifter II this coming March 2019.

Featuring an all instrumental 13 track set that reaches from rockin' '70s riffs played with punk rock ferocity to creeping metal grooves, they have also been described as playing an intense Simian instrumental rock from the nasty pits of the Hellabrunn Zoo!

1. 'GRAVITY' (2:58)
2. 'HASKETT' (1:18)
3. 'MASK OF THE ANCIENT WARRIOR' (3:04)
4. 'SHOEGAZER' (3:28)
5. 'AMERICAN EAGLE' (4:04)
6. '7 YEARS FAT, 7 YEARS LEAN' (4:26)
7. 'DIE RAUSSCHMEIßER' (3:35)
8. 'FU MANCHU' (1:30)
9. '8 SHOT' (2:25)
10. 'NO CHORDS ALLOWED, JONATHAN' (3:16)
11. 'STEVEN AVERY IS INNOCENT' (2:44)
12. 'JIGGY JIGGY BOOM BOOM' (3:17)
13. 'MATILDA' (2:07)

The progressive, loud, but always melodic instrumental rock that Ape Shifter - Jeff Aug (guitar); Florian Walter (bass); and Kurty Münch (drums) - perform is always of the highest quality and here on their second album they noticeably seem to have relaxed into their orchestrated musical comfort zones just perfectly.

So much so that the instrumental power trio plays each track here with such dedication that their up-tempo prog rock sounds like it could have been one long, and beautifully fulfilling jam band session.

Whereas the band’s self-titled debut album brought all this same vibe out of our speakers and into our minds, this follow-up seems to apply other layers to its live ambiance.

From the very first track the band don't hang about in getting on with the job for 'Gravity' powers in and off from the very first beat. The same could then be said of 'Haskett,' the powerfully stunning 'Mask Of The Ancient Warrior,' and all that follow, in truth.

You see, unlike a lot of prog rock bands out there, Ape Shifter don't expect you to sit through 10 minute opus' instead creating 13 tracks that range from .78 seconds on through to just over 4 minutes.

My personal favorite is the mi-tempo hipsway of the addictive 'American Eagle,' with another being the cymbal and drum-led epic 'Die Rausschmeißer.' That said, the wicked guitar work on both '8 Shot' and 'Jiggy Jiggy Boom Boom' are also something breathtaking to behold.

www.Ape-Shifter.com