I’ve been a fan of Swiss band Shakra for quite a few years and it was great to see a new album entitled “High Noon” being released via AFM Records on 29th January. This album marks the return of original vocalist Mark Fox, with whom the band had recorded their first 7 studio albums between 1998 and 2009. Fox had been replaced on the past 2 albums by John Prakesh, but he left in 2014; opening the way for a reconciliation within the band. Both of the albums released with Prakesh were great, but it is nice to see the return of Fox.

 

 


 

I played the title track “High Noon” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 22nd January and “Into Your Heart” is included on the Show on 5th February. Other favourites from the 12 on the album would include “Hello” which was released as the first single, “Around The World”, “Eye To Eye”, “The Storm” and “Wild and Hungry”; though there really aren’t any poor tracks.


In addition to Mark Fox on vocals, the band members are Thom Blunier and Thomas Muster on guitars, Dominik Pfister on bass and Roger Tanner on drums. Shakra play a few gigs on the European mainland in March and April, but there is currently nothing listed for the UK.


Quite surprisingly this is my second album recommendation for a Swiss band this year! My knowledge of Swiss rock bands probably wouldn’t have went much beyond Krokus, Gotthard and Shakra until being sent the new album from relative newcomers Worry Blast recently.


Check out http://shakra.ch/ for more info.

About “NI Rocks Recommends”

The simple idea behind “NI Rocks Recommends” is to acknowledge and promote some of the great music being submitted to Rock Radio NI. I'll not be giving marks or ratings or analyzing the tracks in great detail; just telling you something about the artist and the album. It’s a personal recommendation, not a traditional “review”!

My musical tastes cover most things rock; from the not too melodic to the not too heavy. The albums that I’ll be recommending are merely those that I would buy myself and which you’ll be hearing played on my shows on Rock Radio NI.

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