SHAKRA – Powerplay

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de

Shakra…definitely not to be confused with Columbian singer Shakira…are a Swiss 5-piece band that to my surprise have been around since 1997. Powerplay is their ninth studio album and second with vocalist John Prakesh since Mark Fox departed abruptly back in 2009.

With Swiss rock band everybody always immediately thinks of Gotthard so will this release change that thought to any extent?

Opener “Life Is Now” definitely kicks things off brightly with its modern rock flavour and distinctly Nickelback feel. “Wonderful Life” is an excellent big ballad and “Don’t Keep Me Hanging” definitely shakes all of those cobwebs off the speakers. Songs that, from the titles, you expect to be ballads such as “Stevie” or “Because of You” are in fact superb rockers…final track “Too Good to be True” is however.

Original members Thom Blunier (guitars), Thomas Muster (guitars) and Roger Tanner (drums) are certainly not resting on their laurels with this release – it’s as if vocalist John Prakesh and even new bassist Dominik Pfister have rejuvenated them!! John Prakesh’s vocals are powerful and full of emotion.

Comparisons to Gotthard must be made but there are so many other bands that could be mentioned such as Alter Bridge and Pink Cream 69 plus a large dollop of 1980’s American rock blended in.

One thing though is that the band need to get an English version of their website up and running as it’s only in German at present…

Really enjoyed this…Gotthard have their work cut out for them to regain their Swiss crown!! If the rest of 2013’s releases are this good…

****½

Phil Berisford

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)