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High Noon

      
         
         
         
     
             
Shakra are a hard rock band from Switzerland formed in 1990 as Ruckus, changing their name to Shakra in 1997 and releasing their self titled debut album in 1998 with their second album released in 1999. The band recruited a new singer, Mark Fox, and went on to release five more studio albums before a second change of singer for the two albums released in 2011 and 2013. A third change of singer in 2015 saw the band reunite with Mark Fox and the bands new album, 'High Noon' is set for a 2016 release.    
             
The bands new album opens with the bombastic 'Hello', all blazing guitars and galloping rhythms as the song races on, blowing away the cobwebs and giving you a reason to head bang, to smile and to raise your fist high in the air. Pace slows for the foot stomping, head nodding, title song 'High Noon' with its catchy and anthemic style chorus. 'Into Your Heart' is an up tempo feel good hard rocking hard rock song that will have your head nodding rhythmically at every turn. If you're not smiling yet at the effect of the Shakra sound, then why not? Clean, clear vocals, galloping rhythms, sweet guitar solos ... this is the stuff of greats.    
             
'Around The World' leisurely strolls on displaying AOR traits, but most definitely retains rock roots. The chorus is catchy, sing a long and 'Around The World' must become a crowd favourite at live shows. A sweet, mellow, meandering guitar solo breaks the song up nicely as it wanders on its ways to a conclusion. With a mild injection of blues and jazz 'Eye To Eye' staggers onto the airways. A chugging beat with a rhythmic rap, 'Eye To Eye' is a departure from the hard rock flow. With a much heavier guitar sound 'Is It Real' stomps and stamps its authority, rocking like a boat in rough seas. The music is tight, professional and easily the work of very experienced musicians.    
             
And there it is, the obligatory ballad that seems to accompany every hard rock album these days...'Life's What You Need' is the cue to get your lighters out, wave your hands in the air and sing along to the addictive chorus. A superb ballad. Now with a song titled 'The Storm' you'd think it would be a hard hitting, hard rocking slab of rock...and you would be one hundred percent accurate. Somehow, Shakra have a unique ability to create heavy rock songs that are catchy and addictive, head noddingly attractive and a pleasure to listen to.    
             
And talking of pleasure, 'Raise Your Hands' is a cracking song full of memorable hooks and riffs, foot tapping rhythms and superb vocals. 'Raise Your Hands' has the attractiveness of some of the great hard rock bands from the eighties and nineties. Shakra have that magical ingredient to create sparkling songs that just rock and will force you to listen time and time again. 'Stand Tall' is a mid tempo stomp that thuds and shudders its way through riff after riff, keeping your head banging and feet stamping. With a little bit of southern rock influence, 'Watch Me Burn' is a lighter, up tempo song, yet still retains the signature Shakra sound. The album ends in blistering style with the awesome 'Wild And Hungry'. Full of energy and passion, your head will be banging, your fists will be punching the air and your face will have a huge smile across it. A cracking end to a great album.    
             
Overall, superb quality and expert musicianship to create excellent hard hitting hard rock songs that are catchy and addictive.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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