Anyone heard Finland's entry for this year's Eurovision song contest? They're a bunch of GWAR-lookalikes called LORDI with a song called "Hard Rock Hallelujah". I have no idea what Switzerland's entry is, but personally I think power metallers SHAKRA would make a good one. Their melodic hard rock is cheesy enough for it.

For this album (their fifth already) they've recruited a new singer called Mark Fox, a guy with one of those raspy Joe Elliot-voices. Musically there's no surprises here. Every now and then one gets the idea these guys have listened to some contemporary artists as well (like on the intros to "Chains of Temptation" and "All Or Nothing" for instance), but those moments are always followed by one of those choruses that makes you want to wave your lighter instead of banging your head and throwing the horns. Hey, I'm not saying it's a bad album. The musicianship is good, the production spotless, and fans of GOTTHARD, TNT or BONFIRE will definitely get a kick out of this. It's just that whenever those bands came on Headbangers Ball back in the 80's I always got this irresistible urge to go take a leak or get a fresh beer out of the fridge or something. Nothing wrong with melody or pop hooks, but in my opinion bands like this are closer to ABBA than to BLACK SABBATH. Which brings us full circle to that darned Eurovision song contest again. I'd like to say to the guys in SHAKRA: Go for it!! You probably won't win over any rockers with lyrics like "She's my ecstasy/lying next to me", but from what I've heard Eurovision connoisseurs (mostly gays and old people) love that shit!

So to all Euroweenies and 80's nostalgists who cherish their spandex I say: Switzerland, three points!

Suisse, trois points!

Schweiz, drei punkte!

Zwitserland, drie punten!

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.shakra.ch

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