Shockingly, 'Snakes & Ladders' marks the eleventh album for these Swiss hard rock vets. It's hard to believe considering I still view acts like Shakra as future stars. 21 years in the business and this new album is a testament to that. It's brimming with hard rock intensity and the experience of these not-so-young superstars. The big chorus, mainline hooks and bold (expensive) production values are all common to the band's core sound. "I Will Rise Again" shows off the best of the party while "Open Water" is the winds of change, painting emotive ballads that keep the album atmospheric and seeming somehow important among the hard rock strut.