COBRA SPELL
COBRA SPELL “666”
By Iron Sheik
Retro metal seems to be an emerging genre, again, which harkens back to the 80s. Every few years this style seems to emerge. 2023 brings us “666” by COBRA SPELL which has that 80s feel to it. If themes of love, lust, sex, and rebellion appeal to you, then COBRA SPELL hits the mark in spades. At times their sound made me think of BURNING WITCHES, old “Hit And Run” style GIRLSCHOOL, 80s “Edge Of A Broken Heart” sounding VIXEN, or modern style LOVE BITES. Maybe because COBRA SPELLare an all female band founded by Sonia Anubis (ex - CRYPTA, ex – BURNING WITCHES) in 2019.
Obviously appealing to the 80s style metalhead in me, COBRA SPELL would have fit right in back then. They are heavy. They are anthemic. They are modern. Singing about any topic, like they do, makes them as fit then as it does today. They not only have that going for them, but there is an air of pleasant familiarity heard throughout “666”.
Album opener “666”, the title track, is a keyboard heavy lead in to "S.E.X." which is a guitar driven slab of sleaze ala “Rocket Queen” by G'N'R. In track three, “Satan Is A Woman” we get a “Watching You” by KISS vibe throughout. “Hotline 666” is an interlude seeking applications to join the Bad Girl Crew. “Come now and join us”, she says. Letting us know they are "naughty...goes too far...like a bullet through your heart...too cruel for you...she's way out of your league...she is one of us". “Fly Away” takes us into a power ballad zone with some haunting ethereal guitar work. It sounds like longing. Following the power ballad route “Love=Love” asks why is it a crime, why is it a sin? At the same time stating "we can be who we want to be". A sextastic sax solo ensues. It's a kicksax perfect fit. “Warrior From Hell” informs us she is mean, a rebel, a Queen, a Priestess, seducer, hellraiser, bad bad girl, beast from the east". This is their statement of intent as well as a call to arms.
A breathless tour de force in 49 minutes of sleazy metal. COBRA SPELLnever go overboard no matter what they are singing about. “666” is not what I expected based on that album name and imagery. It turns out it is a great 80s album that honors the 80s but not in a cheesy way. Nor are they X rated. “666” is steamy along the way and satisfying in the end. COBRA SPELL will leave you begging...for more!