Shakra

As in the game with the same title, the goal is to climb to the top. This is what Shakra as a band also have in mind. It's been almost two years since High Noon was released, the comeback album with former lead singer Mark Fox back on the microphone. High Noon made it to #2 in the Swiss album charts and also entered the German charts. The haunting melodies, the distinctive voice of Mark Fox, the striking guitar riffs from Thomas Muster, the emotional solos from lead guitarist Thom Blunier and the irresistible grooves from Drummer Roger Tanner and bass player Dominik Pfister are all typical Shakra trademarks, which can be found again on Snakes & Ladders.

A Switzerland-based hard rock act formed in 1997, Shakra went through a number of lineup changes (including a vocalist change when the bands' momentum was just gaining attention) but managed to persevere and keep going for over two decades. Their first album, 1998's Shakra, and its follow-up, 1999's Moving Force, were strong enough to earn them support slots touring with bands like Great White and Uriah Heep. Real progress was being made with their third album, Power Ride (2001), but unfortunately a health situation forced the departure of vocalist Pete Wiedmer. Mark Fox stepped in to fill the frontman role, and the band recorded and released Rising in 2003. The band was a hit on German and Swiss charts, and toured extensively in support of their work. After many live shows and tours with Hammerfall and Stratovarius, Shakra released Infected in 2007.

This is already the 5th full release by this Swiss combo and like on each of the previous releases the band stays true to their melodic metal sound, which falls in somewhere between that of countrymen Gotthard and Shakra…

Overall, ‘Crystallizer’ is a thrilling blend of power metal and hard rock, and with its sing a long style choruses, you’ll be singing along from start to finish…

Swiss hard rock band build around singer Mark Fox best known for fronting Shakra. The second album "Lucifer" can definitely reach a first place, because it is diverse, convincingly good sound with a mature voice that cannot be confused. The compositions and texts are versatile and excellently interpreted. The songs and lyrics were written by Mark Fox and recorded, produced and mixed by Dennis Ward in Karlsdorf (D). Jürgen Lusky was responsible for the mastering at the Hofa Studios in Karlsdorf. The album itself was recorded with the following musicians: Mark Fox, vocals and piano - Tom Naumann, guitar - Markus Kullmann, drums - Dennis Ward, organ and bass guitar - Börni Höhn, duet vocals. An outstanding album with a lot of variety and a great sound!

17 years ago, the melodic rockers HOTWIRE, who were quite an institution in the local scene in the 90s, parted ways. HOTWIRE was founded in 1993 and they quickly gained a solid fan base in Melodic Rock circles, also through numerous shows with bands such as BONFIRE, JADED HEART or CRYSTAL BALL. In 2001 they were even on a big European tour with SHAKRA and DOMAIN. Later they went on tour with PRETTY MAIDS. In 1995, BONFIRE members Claus Lessmann and Hans Ziller took HOTWIRE under their wing and produced their self-titled debut album. The album 'Face Another Day' followed three years later.

The 4th release of the successful sampler series - once again featuring only the best Metal has to offer! From big names like MINISTRY, FEAR FACTORY and U.D.O. to promising newcomers, this release nicely gathers carefully handpicked gems from the renowned label AFM Records.