Album Details
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· Produced By: HoS
· Running Time: 49
· Release Date: January 27
· Released: EU
· Genre: Melodic Rock
· WebLink:
· LabelLink: Lion Music
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Artist Bio
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HOUSE of SHAKIRA, one of Sweden’s longest running and most respected melodic hard rock
bands are back with a revitalised line-up, a potent new set of songs and a bright future as their
new opus “HoS” will testify on 27th January 2012.
Fans of House of Shakira and indeed the melodic rock community have been eagerly awaiting
the first fruits of the bands effort with the possessor of one of the best new melodic rock voices
of recent years, new vocalist ANDREAS NOVAK (solo / ex Mind’s Eye).
With “HoS”, Novak’s vocals coupled with the bands undoubted song writing skill - as proven on
genre classics like “Lint”, “III” and “First Class” - have delivered on CD the goods the
potential this pairing suggested on paper. The first thing the listener will notice is a renewed
vigour and swank to the bands delivery. Throughout “HoS” you will hear a band enjoying their
new incarnation with a collection of melody infused driving rock songs paired with the odd
tender ballad.
Whilst at times there is a heavier edge to the music, “HoS” is for the most part back to basics
for the band i.e. accessible songs with a commercial punch built around infectious vocal
melodies. This is material that is begging to be played live by a band eager to play it live.
Novak is however not the only new addition to the band with a new rhythm section consisting of
Basse Blyberg (bass) and Martin Larsson (drums) replacing the amicably departed Per
Schelander (who helped pen 4 of tracks on offer) and Tony Andersson. On the change in
personnel, founding member Anders Lundström comments, “The new members add new hunger,
vitality, passion and aggressiveness to the band. They also provided new visions and song
writing skills which have really helped forge our best album in years”.
The first writing sessions for what became “HoS” began during summer 2010, with the band
looking at Lundström’s and the then still present Schelander’s ideas for the two songs that
ultimately became “Fractions of Love” and “Zodiac Maniac”. It was agreed that these song
fragments needed new melodies and lyrics so Novak started presenting lyric and melody ideas
which the band later approved. The rest of the album was pretty much written the same way,
starting out with instrumental ideas with Novak adding melodies and lyrics later.
Formed in 1991 and originally working under the name The Station, the band became House of
Shakira (named after a bordello) in the mid 90’s and saw the release of their widely accepted
classic debut album “Lint” in 1997. Further albums “On The Verge”, “III”, “First Class” and
“Retoxed” followed over the following decade along with numerous live shows including
performances at the Gods and Firefest Festivals in addition to touring with the likes of Royal
Hunt. Since their previous release in 2007 the band took stock of their situation made some
hard decisions and set about making the best album of their career in “HoS”.
“Eventually time came for us to make a brand new start. Change was inevitable. We reflected,
recruited and realigned. With our new crew we easily set sails down the rocky road again. HoS
is now more focused than ever. This time we are determined to set the record straight. All
aboard!”
MUSICIANS
Andreas Novak: Lead vocals.
Mats Hallstensson: Guitar, backing vocals.
Anders Lundström: Guitar.
Basse Blyberg: Bass, backing vocals.
Martin Larsson: Drums.
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