Review SHAKRA „Just Live Loud!“

Bands like Krokus laid the foundation for the powerful hard rock sound that came out of Switzerland. With Gotthard, another band from the Alpine country put Swiss rock on the map. Shakra have also been among Switzerland’s leading bands for decades, even if they never quite reached the same status as Krokus and Gotthard. That certainly has nothing to do with their music, as their new album proves.

Just Live Loud! is a fitting title for an album that celebrates hard rock across 13 songs. Right from the opener, “Let the Show Begin,” it becomes apparent that these guys have put together a hard-rock record with plenty of drive. It is a well-chosen opening track, showing just what Shakra are still capable of delivering after more than 30 years: a powerful, energetic rock song that gets the album moving right away.

The pounding “Wasteland Warriors” is every bit as convincing. Along with its hard-hitting beat, it is the finely crafted guitar solo passages that make the song such a pleasure to listen to. Then comes the title track, a pulsing rock song filled with positive vibes. The chorus practically invites you to sing along, while the music coming through the speakers delivers good vibes, power, and a real sense of joy. Live now and live loud.

“Left Outside Alone” comes with an extra touch, as Shakra have invited a guest to join them. Seraina Telli contributes vocals to this somewhat more mainstream-oriented rocker, and her voice fits the song beautifully. The result is a melodic rocker that puts more emphasis on emotion than heaviness.

The same goes for “Legends Never Die.” It is one of the quieter moments on the album, and you could certainly call it a ballad. At the same time, it is a very well-crafted song that connects with the listener on an emotional level. “Lost Generation” brings a hypnotic, stomping groove with a slightly darker vibe.

The further you make your way through the tracklist, the clearer it becomes that Shakra have delivered a record with real substance. The second half of the album doesn’t lose momentum, either. Even if “New Tattoo” is perhaps the more predictable song on the record, it is hard to deny the appeal of Just Live Loud! There is a sense of fun running through the album, and every now and then it feels like Shakra are grinning right back at you from behind the amps.

With “Screaming Silence,” the album gets an equally catchy rock song to bring things toward the finish, before a solo version of “Left Outside Alone” delivers the final chord.

Shakra have been rocking for more than 30 years, and with this album they have created a record that sounds dynamic and heavy without turning its back on more sensitive and ballad-oriented moments. Just Live Loud! is fun to listen to and fits perfectly into the late-summer mood. Rock fans should give this album a spin. You won’t regret it.