Shakra – ‘Just Live Loud!’

(Frontiers Music)

There are some albums that politely ask you to turn the volume up. There are others that practically grab you by the collar, drag you over to the stereo and scream “JUST LIVE LOUD!” directly into your face. Shakra’s latest offering falls very firmly into the latter category. Just Live Loud! is a bombastic, explosive slab of Melodic Hard Rock that simply demands to be played at maximum volume.

From the moment the album gets underway, it is abundantly clear that Shakra have absolutely no intention of messing around. This is rock music built for big speakers, raised fists and voices joining together in enormous sing-along choruses. There is a wonderfully old-school attitude running through the record, but the production and performances give everything enough modern muscle to ensure it sounds huge rather than dated. This is unapologetically loud, energetic and designed to make you feel good.

And boy, does it deliver on the energy front.

Shakra have always understood that great Melodic Hard Rock needs more than simply big guitars. You need hooks, attitude, memorable melodies and, above all else, songs that make you want to join in. Just Live Loud! has all of those ingredients in abundance. The guitars are thick, crunchy and powerful, providing a formidable wall of sound, while the rhythm section keeps everything charging forward with an almost relentless momentum.

There is a real sense of urgency here. Even when the band eases back slightly, there is still an underlying tension and drive that keeps the album moving. This isn't background music. This is an album that wants your attention, and preferably wants that attention delivered while the volume knob is turned dangerously close to its limits.

The choruses are undoubtedly one of the record's greatest strengths. Shakra understand the importance of the anthem and they aren't afraid to go big. There are huge vocal arrangements, memorable hooks and plenty of moments where you can practically imagine an arena full of people shouting the words back at the band. This is fist-pumping, air-guitar-inducing rock music with a healthy dose of swagger.

It is also an album that feels incredibly confident. There is no desperate attempt to chase whatever happens to be fashionable. Instead, Shakra simply concentrate on what they do best: delivering high-quality Melodic Hard Rock packed with riffs, melodies and attitude. In a musical landscape where some bands seem determined to reinvent themselves with every release, there is something wonderfully reassuring about a band knowing exactly where its strengths lie.

And those strengths are considerable.

Thom Blunier and Thomas Muster’s guitar work throughout Just Live Loud! is particularly impressive. There is a lovely balance between heaviness and melody, with the riffs providing the necessary crunch while the lead work adds colour and excitement. The guitars never feel excessive simply for the sake of being excessive; they serve the songs, giving them weight and personality. When the solos arrive, they add another layer of adrenaline without derailing the momentum.

Vocally, the album is equally strong. Mark Fox’s performances have the power and conviction required for this kind of music, sitting perfectly within the muscular production. There is plenty of grit and attitude, but also enough melodic character to make those enormous choruses work. His vocals are clearly designed to be heard above a wall of guitars, and they succeed magnificently.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give Just Live Loud! is that it genuinely feels like a rock album. Not a collection of songs attempting to tick boxes, not an exercise in retro nostalgia and certainly not something designed for quiet listening. This is music created for movement. It makes you want to bang your head, pump your fist, turn the lights down and crank the stereo until the neighbours start wondering what on earth is going on next door.

There is also a welcome variety within the album. While the dominant sound is unquestionably bombastic Melodic Hard Rock, Shakra aren't afraid to explore different moods and dynamics. The heavier moments have plenty of impact, while the more reflective material provides breathing space without ever feeling disconnected from the overall identity of the record. The result is an album that remains engaging across its running time rather than simply hammering the listener with the same formula from beginning to end.

The production deserves plenty of praise too. Everything sounds big, clear and powerful without sacrificing the raw energy that makes this style of music so enjoyable. The drums have real punch; the guitars have plenty of bite and the vocals remain front and centre. It is precisely the sort of production that encourages you to turn the volume up another notch.

And that is ultimately where Just Live Loud! succeeds so spectacularly.

This is an album with fist-pumping rock energy coursing through its veins. It is bombastic without becoming ridiculous, melodic without becoming soft and heavy without losing sight of the importance of a great hook. Shakra have delivered a record that knows exactly what it wants to be and executes that vision with considerable confidence.

If you are a fan of Melodic Hard Rock, big guitars, enormous choruses and music that makes you feel like you're standing in the middle of a packed arena with your fist held high, Just Live Loud! should be right up your street.

Just don't make the mistake of playing it quietly.

Turn it up. Then turn it up some more.

Because an album like this isn't meant to be listened to.

It's meant to be lived loud.

‘Let The Show Begin’, a suitably explosive way to kick things off. Shakra waste absolutely no time establishing the album’s identity, hitting hard with muscular guitars, pounding drums and a huge melodic hook. There is an immediate sense that this is going to be one hell of a loud ride. An arena-ready opener packed with swagger and energy.

‘Wasteland Warriors’, the heaviness gets turned up another notch here, with a chunky guitar attack and a driving rhythm that gives the song plenty of attitude. The chorus is pure fist-pumping Shakra, delivering exactly the kind of big, memorable vocal hook that makes Melodic Hard Rock so much fun.

‘Just Live Loud!’, the album’s title perfectly captures the philosophy behind this monster. This is rock music stripped down to its most enjoyable ingredients: huge guitars, pounding drums, infectious melodies and a chorus that practically demands audience participation. Crank this one up and prepare to annoy the neighbours!

‘Left Outside Alone’, a slightly more emotional edge creeps into proceedings, but the power certainly hasn't disappeared. There is a strong melodic backbone here, with the vocals carrying plenty of feeling while the guitars provide the necessary muscle. A beautifully balanced piece of Melodic Hard Rock. This is of course a cover of the Anastacia hit and features Seraina Telli duetting.

‘Demon Of The Night’, dark, punchy and loaded with attitude, this is one of the album’s heavier moments. The guitars have plenty of bite and the rhythm section drives everything forward with considerable force. There is a wonderfully menacing quality to the whole thing, while the chorus keeps things firmly rooted in melody.

‘Legends Never Die’, an absolute anthem. This is Shakra doing what they do best, combining powerful riffs with a soaring, memorable chorus. The title says it all, with a triumphant atmosphere running throughout. You can almost hear a festival crowd singing this one back at the band.

‘Lost Generation’, there is a slightly darker and more reflective mood here, but the song still packs plenty of punch. Strong vocals sit over another impressive guitar foundation, while the melodic chorus gives the whole thing plenty of staying power. A powerful and thought-provoking addition to the album.

‘When We Were Young’, nostalgia meets classic Melodic Hard Rock. There is an emotional warmth running through this one, giving it a slightly different character from some of the heavier material. Catchy, heartfelt and hugely accessible, it proves Shakra can tug at the heartstrings without sacrificing their trademark power.

‘Another Day In The Universe’, the energy returns in spectacular fashion. Big riffs, driving drums and another chorus designed for maximum audience participation make this an absolute joy. There is a real sense of momentum here, making it impossible to sit still while listening.

‘New Tattoo’, a swaggering rocker with plenty of attitude. The guitars sound fantastic, the rhythm section keeps everything moving and the vocals have that perfect combination of grit and melody. It is the sort of straightforward, no-nonsense rock song that gets better every time you turn the volume up.

‘High Above The Storm’, another uplifting moment, combining muscular instrumentation with a strong melodic sensibility. The chorus has that wonderful Shakra ability to sound enormous without becoming overblown. A positive, feel-good rocker that leaves you reaching for the volume control yet again.

‘Screaming Silence’, the album heads towards its conclusion with plenty of emotional intensity. There is a darker atmosphere here, but the song remains firmly anchored by strong melodies and powerful guitar work. It provides a suitably dramatic finale to the main body of the album.

‘Left Outside Alone’, the solo version provides an interesting closing perspective, allowing the song’s emotional qualities to come through in a different setting. It is a fitting way to bring proceedings to a close and gives the listener one final chance to appreciate the melodic heart beneath all that glorious rock power.

Just Live Loud! is exactly what it says on the tin, big, bombastic, explosive Melodic Hard Rock that demands to be played LOUD! Shakra have delivered an absolute fist-pumping monster, packed with killer riffs, thunderous drums, soaring vocals and huge sing-along choruses. This is feel-good rock ‘n’ roll with enough muscle to shake the walls and enough melody to keep you coming back for more. There is nothing particularly subtle about it, but frankly, who needs subtlety when the end result is this much fun? If you like your rock loud, proud, melodic and dripping with arena-sized attitude, then Just Live Loud! should be heading straight onto your stereo. Turn it up, raise your fist and let Shakra do the rest.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Just Live Loud!’

Review by Woody