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Shakra: Powerplay
Shakra: Powerplay
(Melodic) Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
4.0/5.0
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AFM Records
by Craig Hartranft, 01.23.2013
Still carving a path through Switzerland's hard rock territory is Shakra with their ninth long-player, Powerplay. The title is appropriate. This is one of Shakra's heaviest albums, nearing the straight heavy metal side, thanks to an abundance of huge riffs and a pummeling rhythm section.
Shakra:: don't back up, it could be shocking.
While the riffage is bold and bombastic, Powerplay is not without it's melodic and accessible moments. Life Is Now, the opener, and the later Save You From Yourself, boast that metal heaviness in a quite catchy, hook-laden, arrangement. Then there's the two power ballads, Wonderful Life and Too Good to Be True, where Shakra tones it down revealing their inner mellow side. You also get your best feel for John Prakesh's vocal style, cross between Jon Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams.
Mostly, however, Powerplay is simply brisk and bracing heavy rock album from Shakra. Dear Enemy, The Mask, Because of You, to mention some of the other songs here, explode at the start, sometimes racing, and generally rip it up until the end. If you like your hard rock on the metal side of things without dismissing melody and hooks, Shakra's Powerplay is your prescription. Recommended.
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If you like your hard rock on the metal side of things without dismissing melody and hooks, Shakra's Powerplay is your prescription.
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