Shakra is a hard rock and metal band formed in Bern, Switzerland, in 1990 by singer Pete Wiedmer, guitarists Thomas Blunier and Thomas Muster, bassist Roger Badertscher, and drummer Roger Tanner. Originally named Ruckus, they released their self-titled album in 1994. The band underwent a name change to Shakra in 1997. The following year, the five-piece released their studio debut as Shakra in Japan, followed by a European release. The album received enthusiastic acclaim from the specialized press and fans alike. They continued their momentum with their second album, Moving Force, in 1999. However, it was with the release of 2003's Rising, their first album with new singer Mark Fox, that the band gained significant recognition in Switzerland, climbing to Number 21 on the Swiss sales charts. They started to make appearances on popular Swiss television shows such as Eiger, Mönch & Kunz, and Musicnight. Around this time, the band released the single "Make it Alright" and performed live shows all over Europe, including opening for Guns N’ Roses at Hallenstadion in Zurich in 2006. Later that year, Shakra entered the studio once again, releasing the album Infected in 2007. In 2010, lead singer Mark Fox left the group and was replaced by John Prakesh, who made his official recording debut with Shakra on 2011's Back on Track. Powerplay, the band's seventh album, came out in 2013 and soared to the top of the Swiss charts, also reaching Number 81 in Germany. In 2015, Mark Fox returned to the band after a four-year hiatus and reconciliation. Over the following years, Shakra continued to enjoy a great deal of popularity in both Switzerland and Germany thanks to releases such as High Noon (2016), Snakes & Ladders (2017), and Mad World (2020). 2023 found the group topping the Swiss charts once again with Invincible, which peaked at Number 62 on the German Albums Chart.