Frontiers [Release date : 04.09.26]

Since 1995, Swiss band, Shakra have shared stages worldwide with everybody worth knowing, from Guns’N’Roses to Great White, from Stratovarius to Iron Maiden. And in between times they’ve released 14 albums.

Their secret, apart from having an outstandingly talented songwriter in guitarist Thomas Muster, is that these guys have been in each other’s company for so long that they must by now have developed some kind of musical telepathy.

Singer Mark Fox joined the band on their third album. Guitarists and songwriters, Muster and Thom Blunier are ever presents. Give or take a year, so is drummer, Roger Tanner. Bassman Cyril Montavon joined the band in 2020.

Over the last few months,the immediate impact tracks, ‘Wasteland Warriors’, ‘Left Outside Alone’, and the title track, ‘Just Live Loud’ have already been released as teaser trailers. Proof, if any were needed, that another high calibre album was on the way.

And in fact, there’s nothing but style oozing out of this album. Every single track is as lean as it needs to be, condensed and distilled into a verse, bridge and chorus that are all a perfect fit, and a hook that embeds itself in your psyche.

You have to wonder at Muster’s ability to continue writing such compelling songs, such perfectly rounded melodies. All those catchy harmonic patterns, rich in colour and mood.

No better example than that song we mentioned above, ‘Left Outside Alone’.
No blistering, distorted guitarwork, just tightly packed riffs which flare up like torches when the chorus arrives, creating the kind of light and shade subtleties on songs like ‘Legends Never Die’ and ‘High Above The Storm’ that fit seamlessly with Fox’s keening vocals and Muster’s grown up lyrics.
The complete album is an unashamed nod to melodic rock convention. None of this “embracing change” nonsense for Shakra. They stay close to their tried and trusted template, squeezing out carefully crafted melodies, making them sound fresh and new, full of measured riffs and sturdy hooks.

‘Screaming Silence’ could be one of the best songs they’ve written, and ‘New Tattoo’, one of the best that AC/DC didn’t.

Perfect Melodic Rock. *****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 17 August 2026

STORMBRINGER Dirt And Bone (Attic Records)
SARI SCHORR Mr. In The Middle (Provogue Records)
JAMES KENNEDY & THE UNDERDOGS Shadows (Konic Records)
KATH & THE KICKS Sleep (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Too Far Gone (Silver Lining Music)
SESAME GIRL Prettiest Girl In The World (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 17 August 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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