• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

October 2024

• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive (Tommy Denander): Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

July 2024

• Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
• Spektra: Hypnotized
• (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
• Mr. Big: Ten
• Dark Mile: Dark Mile

June 2024

• Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
• Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

[ More Music Reviews ]

House of Shakira: HoS

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.0/5.0

Lion Music
Website Facebook MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  12.26.2011

Five years and more than a few changes, Sweden's House of Shakira returns with their sixth album, simply HoS. Long time vocalist Andreas Eklund has been replaced by Mind's Eye frontman Andreas Novak. Additionally, a new rhythm section was recruited, consisting of Basse Blyberg (bass) and Martin Larsson (drums). Expect some classic HoS here: melodic hard rock of the AOR flavor, and maybe a bit edgier, but definitely not vanilla.

Above, House of Shakira: in the studio, 'no, turn the other knob, the other knob!'

Like previous HoS albums, a single spin isn't enough to grasp their version of European melodic hard rock. HoS will grow on you when you first accept the simple fact that they aren't attempting create a bunch of hook-laden, radio-friendly, and predictable tunes. Brick Wall Falling, Changes in Mind, and Fractions of Love rock a little harder, a little heavier. But you can still find the accessibility in the latter's refrain and melody. You'll find more of the rock spirit, groove, and mainstream hook in songs like Out of My Head (though this grittier as well), All Aboard, Voice in the Void, and the kickin' Midnight Hunger. Ultimately there's a diversity across this entire album that dismisses any sense of mundane sameness. Sometimes the variation shows up within a song, Zodiac Mania by example. Sound musicianship and songwriting are the culprits for this fine listening experience.

HoS is a welcome return to form for House of Shakira. Here's a strong and diverse album of edgier melodic hard rock from a fine band. Recommended.

HoS is a welcome return to form for House of Shakira. Here's a strong and diverse album of edgier melodic hard rock from a fine band. Recommended.

Alphabetical Index

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]