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SHAKRA “Just Live Loud”
SHAKRA “Just Live Loud”
By Colonel Angus
I love straight up heavy metal that sounds like it could have been released in the late 80s. Even though they came out a decade later, SHAKRA has been putting out quality records that hold the same spirit and vibe from the glory days of metal. They have been putting out material every few years so they were about due and 2026 sees the unleashing of “Just Live Loud” which is another masterclass in melodic metal.
As the title of the opener would suggest, “Let the Show Begin” would be the perfect concert opener as well. They waste no time in throwing together all the hallmarks of their sound with melodic riffing and soaring solos laying the foundation for Mark Fox’s slightly sleazy vocals. As the disk continues, “Wasteland Warriors” is an infectious strutting rocker whereas the title track pounds away to the point that you will be humming the chorus for days. Again, the band knows its strengths and they showcase the right elements within the tracks.
Quite honestly, things just keep getting better as the album progresses. “Left Outside Alone” has a very slight poppier edge but the riffing holds down the metal aspect that is key to their material. DEAD VENUS’ Seraina Telli makes an appearance on this tune which adds a nice additional element to their overall sound. Both Fox’s and Telli’s vocals blend well towards the end of the track making this a highlight on “Just Live Loud”. “Demon of the Night” is the perfect example of that late 80s melodic metal sound that is prevalent throughout their catalog. Thom Blunier puts in an especially great solo in this one which keeps the quality high. Overall, the guitar work from Blunier and Thomas Muster is worth mentioning because it shines throughout the disk. Just grab a listen to the ballad-ish “Legends Never Die” for another great example of the chemistry between these two players and the heartfelt and emotional guitar work they provide.
“Lost Generation” delivers another swaggering rock anthem, driven by a chorus so infectious that most bands would kill to write one yet it seems to be so easy for SHAKRA. There is a touch of NWOBHM in “When We Were Young” which has that spirit that grabbed us rock fans in the early 80s. There is a youthful energy to that track that brings me back to that timeframe. Keeping things a bit heavier, “Another Day in the Universe” scores big on the heavy melodic metal scale. It still has some of the earlier elements but somehow sounds updated and fresh. I can’t put my finger on it but there is something modern sounding there but yet still has all the aspects of what SHAKRA is known for.
For those of you looking for something in the AC/DC vein, then “New Tattoo” will scratch that itch you have for something more basic but still very much SHAKRA. Compared to the other tracks here, this one does stick out a bit but I like that the band is not afraid to switch things up to give the listener a little variety. While “Legends Never Die” skirted the ballad genre, “High Above the Storm” embraces the metal ballad genre with full force. I normally am not a fan of these types of tracks but SHAKRA does it so well that I find myself liking their ballads and never really skipping them when listening through their records straight through.
All of this brings us to the final track and “Just Live Loud” ends on the highest of notes. The eight minute “Screaming Silence” is the best tune on “Just Live Loud” and they certainly saved the best for last. When they sequenced the record, they definitely put this gem in the perfect location – at the end – which just makes you want to start the whole thing over again. SHAKRA has delivered this late career gem and it goes to show that they have plenty to offer.
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