When it comes to releasing strong, melodic rock albums, you can always count on the Swiss band Shakra. “Just Live Loud!” is no exception to this rule. With the follow-up to their 2023 album “Invincible,” the band has once again delivered a strong album. This new chapter in their now more than thirty-year career has been another bull’s-eye.
All the ingredients that have made this band popular over the years are present: strong songs, catchy choruses, killer guitar riffs, pumping bass and drums, and the raspy vocals of singer Mark Fox.
On top of that, the production on this album is once again to die for. Guitarist Thom Blunier has been shaping the band’s sound in their studio for decades.
hooks and drive
The album openers “Let The Show Begin” and “Wasteland Warriors” prove that the band is certainly not running out of steam and still has the fire needed to write songs with the hooks and drive we’ve come to expect from them over the years. The band has had their act together for a very long time.
Let’s just say that a number of tracks from this—already their 10th—Shakra album could easily be incorporated into their live set.
“Just Live Loud!” certainly won’t go down in history as the album where Shakra throws their tried-and-true formula in the trash, but nobody wants that anyway. Just keep doing what you’ve long proven you excel at.
this band’s strength
The only odd one out on this album is the first cover the band has ever recorded. “Left Outside Alone” (originally by Anastasia), also the first duet the band has ever recorded. The song appears on the album in no fewer than two versions (one as a duet with Seraina Telli and the version where Mark handles all the vocals himself), but that wasn’t necessary for me. I much prefer to hear Shakra’s original material, because that’s clearly where this band’s strength lies.
Despite this minor flaw, however, I can only recommend “Just Live Loud!” to fans of melodic rock with pumping guitars, and this album is once again a must-have for fans of the band.
Mission 10 has once again been a success for these likable Swiss musicians. I’m already looking forward to seeing them perform live again.
Report by Raymond Helebrand
