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Shakra: Invincible

(Melodic) Heavy Metal Rock

4.0/5.0

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AFM Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 21.06.2023 | Released: 09.06.2023

Now icons and veterans of the Swiss rock scene, Shakra returns with their thirteenth studio album, Invincible. Considering their near 30 year legacy, that is an appropriate title for the album. Since the late Nineties, the band has been dropping albums consistently every two to three years. And their personnel has been generally stable since vocalist Mark Fox came, left, and then returned to the band in 2016.

Shakra

Not to cast aspersions, but there's nothing new when it comes to Shakra, a new album, or their signature sound. Theirs is heavy metal strongly infused with melodic hard rock groove and AOR sensibility. The core elements are a twin guitar riffage, a bold and thick rhythm section, and Fox's melodic, but raspy vocals. After these things, there's lyrical chorus hooks and an abundance of slick guitar solos. Then Shakra wraps all these things up in melody, harmony, and groove. It's heavy metal that you tap your toe to while banging your head.

Yet, with this new album, something novel came to me. I've always felt Shakra reminded me of somebody, another or other bands. Then it hit me: Shakra sounds like a cross between UDO and AC/DC. This is notable with Fox's vocal style. But many songs have AC/DC boogie groove, such as Devil Left Hell, On The Wild Side, or Between The Lines. But that's not the extent of their musical formula. The Way It Is has a distinct blues flavor. Tell Her That I'm Sorry is largely a hard and heavy metal ballad that drops in some acoustic guitar. But there's nothing "Irish" about Old Irish Song, but it has a great catchy chorus.

All things considered, Shakra's Invincible is another entertaining platter of their signature melodic heavy metal rock. This is what they've been delivering consistently for years, and fans of the band (as I am) will not be disappointed. Recommended.

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Shakra's Invincible is another entertaining platter of their signature melodic heavy metal rock. This is what they've been delivering consistently for years, and fans of the band (as I am) will not be disappointed. Recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]

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