SHAKRA -

SHAKRA - FALL - AFM  
Superficially there is nothing wrong with Shakra (Shakira?) and its music. Swiss hard rock can be all right, but what do you do when everything is so ordinary, lifeless and it sounds like the band is simply going through the motions? After the band’s last album, Rising, it looks like the band is now ready for a Fall. Take Me Now is a good song with a few chords that could be from the newer Mötley Crüe discs. Nightlife shows good energy and a guitar attack that is very welcome. Other than that the band drifts from one song to another and although singer Mark Fox tries somehow the rest of the band just is not very interested. All Or Nothing the band sings, but hear the song and tell me the tune is not too commercial and pedestrian. Immortal is a ballad and is OK. Chains Of Temptation sounds like the music is just along for the ride and so on.
One doesn’t expect new hard rock bands to be as good as the originators, although hearing them give it a try would at least be nice. Shakra should let loose once in a while and give up being predictable. At least the singers have got the hair and the looks desired and look the part. - Sheila Wes Det