Would you trust a band after such a name? Initially no, but eventually yes. This is not a ‘new’ release for HOUSE OF SHAKIRA but most of a re-release of the – now rare – III album, which originally came out in 2000. One point is the album’s original issue is quite hard to find now; another point is the DVD ‘bonus’ of the re-release. The third – and most promising – is that we’re talking (maybe?) ’bout the finest HOUSE OF SHAKIRA album.
(the DVD disc was not included in the promo stuff available by the label, hence…no data here…)
III is said to be the most ‘look after’ HOUSE OF SHAKIRA creation. I can understand this, due to the album’s consistency and ‘melody spread wherever’ multitude. From a band that (nowadays) has limited of chance to join the ‘Premier League’ of European melodic Hard Rock – even if many would wish for it to occur asap – it is III that brought the Swedish rockers in the foreground of fans’ attention. A band that exists for more than sixteen years, with a ‘quality’ studio discography of four albums, offering a good doze of hardhittin’ melodic Rock as a mix of influences from bands like JOURNEY, (some of) TALISMAN/GOTTHARD, TYKETTO and SURVIVOR.
Meaning: enough of major AOR climaxes with sweet choruses, mid-tempo attitude mostly, some of dynamic grooves and creative riffs/solos that – on the other hand – will not possibly impress the experienced melodic Rock fan. Andreas Eklund’s voice is positive and will make you feel more than comfortable. You’ll ‘hear’ Jimi Jamison, Tommy Shaw, Danny Vaughn, Steve Lee and (to an extend) Steve Augeri.
This re-release is remastered and comes with a ‘bonus’ Live at Sweden Rock Festival 2006 DVD. For HOUSE OF SHAKIRA fans this offer and only can be ‘rather on the spot’. But, anyway, III is a fine album of European melodic Rock; you should surely give it a try if you’re a fan of the genre.
|