Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Shakra
Title
Back On Track
Type
LP/EP
Company
AFM
YOR
2011
Style
Hard Rock
4/13/2011 - Review by: Eric Compton

Shakra
Back On Track

Company: AFM
Release: 2011
Genre: Hard rock
Reviewer: EC

  • Another consistent entry in their strong catalogue



  • I think the hard rock community was shocked to see Mark Fox leave Shakra in 2010. The vocalist was firmly behind the band's most commercial success, charting high in native Switzerland and other cold countries with albums like "Fall" and "Infected". The band and Fox parted ways due to monetary differences (the worst kind of break up) and now the group get "back on track" with new singer John Prakesh and another consistent entry in their strong catalogue.

    Shakra have always possessed the ability to bridge the gap of traditional hard rock and today's contemporary heavy music. One could argue that these Swiss rockers could mechanically out riff anyone in Godsmack or Disturbed with their bag-of-bolts groove, a negative in my circle due to being so sterile and clean. On the other side is the Swiss mindset of huge chorus parts and a guitar driven album that rumbles with tons of lead work. With that aspect you could place Shakra in the vein of Gotthard, Krokus, Bonfire and even chorus-addicted Bon Jovi. I really do like the cross stitching that goes on here and the wide appeal the band has to those in and out of our metal circle.

    The lead in track is the perfect example of the renewal both in songwriting, personnel, energy and obviously mindset. This bag of tricks brings more longevity through liveliness and creates a bit more cause and effect. The guitars are still bone rod straight but they explore into fantastic duel leads and more change of pace. This isn't always verse-verse-chorus and then repeat...cue lead. So many Shakra songs have familiarity and a pattern and "Back On Track" is no different but it still remains fresh and alive due to the interesting song writing and Prakesh's amazing voice (similar to Fox). This is the best Shakra to date and damned if I can't stop playing it; not even as far as pushing the skip button. That is a sure sign of solidity.



    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      4.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: SHAKRA
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Back On Track
    2011
    AFM
    Eric Compton4/13/2011
    4.5
    Fall
    2005
    AFM
    Eric Compton11/29/2005
    -
    High Noon
    2016
    AFM
    Eric Compton2/29/2016
    3.5
    Infected
    2007
    AFM
    Eric Compton9/20/2007
    -
    Powerplay
    2013
    AFM
    Eric Compton4/15/2013
    3
    Rising
    2003
    Point Music
    Eric Compton9/23/2003
    -
    Snakes and Ladders
    2017
    AFM
    Eric Compton2/2/2018
    3.5

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: SHAKRA
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


    << back >>