So it came down to this, not sure if it is right to call it the ace in the deck, but I know that there might be others that would disagree with me. The idea of becoming marketable in order to be more known, composing material that would be more appealing, gain more fans. Sounds rather logical doesn't it? However, what if you already got used to something else from that same band that has been producing quality stuff but it didn't really reach out to everyone? It happened with BON JOVI, METALLICA, AEROSMITH and GUNS N' ROSES among others, when those bands, after releasing such great releases for some time, decided that money is more important than quality, and became commercialized in such a way that it made some of the old fan base to steer. Then there is my beloved Swiss SHAKRA, one of the better Hard Rock bands that seem to have survived the test of time. Though always have something in common with catchiness, their style still maintained that hard edge. Nonetheless, as I way down to listen to their new "Powerplay" album, via AFM Records, I noticed a sort of a statement, not that new by the way, a new beginning of process that I expect not to like its result.

SHAKRA, throughout its long career, has always been a source of great tunes with catchy lyrics, without being that cheesy, added by a range of undemanding riffing. Diversity has never been the band's integral elements in their song making process. Yet their material also peaked to various of places, playing heavier tunes on the verge of Heavy Metal while still letting the 80s Rock lead the way of the European mixed with American motivated music. "Powerplay", not sure if the same was on their previous release as I haven't listened to it but it seemed to me that slowly this fine group has been getting repetitive as nearly the entire tracklist follows the same basic structure, forcing on several to be memorable, without any points of interest that might indicate of something that can be called theirs. Can't say that songs as "Save From Yourself", "The Mask", "Dream Of Mankind" and "Because Of You" weren't good as they explored various of great grooves, 80s feels when it comes to the riffs that had a few things going, sparking chorus, raspy toned, somewhat a bit dirty but well performed, vocals and several cool solo outputs with both 70s and 80s inspirations. However, those were only a few good in a list of thirteen songs that were also nice but sounded similar to one another without showing anything distinctive.

The main issue that I have with "Powerplay" is the fact that it is highly predictable. I have always known that Hard Rock has never been overly inspiring when musical variations are concerned, but here it was sometimes too much. Most of the songs laid out a main riff, maybe one or two more and that is it. Then there was the golden chorus, a C part maybe, solo, reprise of chorus and that is all. Going basic all the way with no additional flavors. That is not what I had in mind before listening to this album even though some of it was good eventually. In short, this is a good release, ample riffing, great sound production with a pretty modern pattern, a clear 80s orientation, basic song structures, a tight rhythm section, riff line sticks hard with swell vibe of the soloing and crude vocals. However, too rudimentary, repetitive, obvious as if it was way too Popish, heading towards possible commercialism (But really hope that it won't).