Label: AFM Records
Genre: Hard Rock
Release Date EU: June 9th, 2023
Line Up:
Mark Fox (Vocals)
Thom Blunier (Guitar)
Thomas Muster (Guitar)
Dominik Pfister (Bass)
Roger Tanner (Drums)
Tracklist:
01. The Way It Is
02. The Matrix Unfolds
03. Invincible
04. Devil Left Hell
05. On the Wild Side
06. Old Irish Song
07. Tell Her That I’m Sorry
08. As I Lay Down to Sleep
09. House of Rock
10. Walls of Hate
11. Between the Lines
12. As Long As I’m Alive
If you are 26 years in business and if you released 12 records, then you do something right. Swiss hard rock outfit Shakra can look back on such a storyline and the journey didn’t end. If this also means that you are invincible is something I can’t tell, but at least ‘Invincible’ is the title of the 13th longplayer, being offered by the Swiss guys.
‘Invincible’ carries twelve new hard rock songs and the band stays true to their trademarks. Shakra stands for traditional hard rock with well-crafted hooks, good melodies, and hard riffs. And since Mark Fox rejoined the band in 2015, also vocals duties are being taken care of in a good fashion.
‘Invincible’ is an album, that was created during the pandemic. In a way, the quintet was invincible when it’s about not getting down by the pandemic. Instead of complaining about the global pause, the band started to write songs that address the freedom of a motorcycle ride on the highway and what came out of this image is a song called ‘On the Wild Side’.
The musical journey also took the band towards the North, reflected by the ‘Old Irish Song’, which gives the Shakra sound a slightly different swing.
‘The Way It Is’ is the guiding opener that mirrors what to expect from the upcoming 53 minutes. Starting acoustically, the tune evolves to a pounding hard rock delight that finds the sweet spot of hardness and catchiness. One feels tempted to join immediately the ‘Hej’ shouts, a feature that should work perfectly during live shows.
The slower-paced title track is a little highlight on the album too and with the melancholic verse that turns into a hopeful chorus, the song is a real hard rock anthem. Sing-a-long factor guaranteed. The soulful moment is called ‘As I Lay Down to Sleep’, followed by the vigorous ‘House of Rock’, a song that has the potential to make the walls shake. Shakra laser in on the hard rock moments which is also showcased by the thumping ‘Between the Lines’ and the unstoppable closer ‘As Long As I’m Alive’.
‘Invincible’ might not be the most innovative album. Instead, it is busting with energy and reflects the spirit of rock’n’roll. It’s good time music, being the perfect soundtrack for a ride into the summerly sunset.
First published on Markus Heavy Music Blog
Written by: Markus Wiedenmann
Rating 8/10
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