Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Shakra - Infected - 2007 - AFM Records

Track Listing1. Make Your Day 2. Inferno 3. The One 4. Playing With Fire 5. Dance With Madness 6. Love Will Find A Way 7. Vertigo 8. The Conquest 9. Higher Love 10. Cardiophobia 11. Look At Me 12. The Other Side 13. Acherons Way

These Swiss hard rockers have really made a name for themselves over the last few years. The group managed to land a big tour with natives Krokus as well as land a contract with reputable AFM Records, who released their fifth album "Fall" in 2005. Hard rock followers have given the band critical acclaim, heralding the group as the savior of stadium rock and comparing them to the likes of Bonfire and The Scorpions. Now they return with a highly anticipated new record entitled "Infected", their sophomore release for AFM and a release that sees the band still firmly embracing their 80s rock roots. "Infected" is produced by Dennis Ward, known for his masterful tuning of acts like Pink Cream 69 (also a member of) and Victory. Fans of Def Leppard, Accept, and Bonfire should treat this with admiral respect and loyalty as the band lays down thirteen cuts of beefed up stadium antics. The band runs through the normal hard rock treatment complete with hooks, leads, and sing-along chorus parts with harmonized vocals. The band sounds absolutely sterile and polished here with each track really groovy and accessible, almost simplistic and elementary for the listener. This is all well and good for the Shakra audience who wants to hear the verse, verse, bridge, chorus, lead, verse, chorus pattern on every single song with no variation whatsoever. For me personally, I find the band consistent release after release and can find the appropriate time to spin this in my player but for the most part I need more variation and diversity to spend ample amount of time on it.



--EC 09.05.07