Hatching from their eggs in 2019 before releasing a series of singles and two EPs,
Cobra Spell have released their long-awaited debut album looking to test their
venomous fangs and they’ve passed it with flying colours.
It might be 2023 but the 666 record is a real throwback attempt at reviving the old
days as they mix in lots of elements of 80s glam rock, hair metal and traditional
heavy metal. Founding member Sonia Anubis previously stated that while she
wanted to keep the old school vibes – the band also put a modern spin on things as
the growl and bite of the guitars, kick drum thuds and ringing notes from the ride
cymbal sound just like a recording made this year. Thankfully, these roots aren’t
spoiled as many bands often fall short in this instance and overcook things when
bringing a classic style back to life.
From slow headbangers to full-on, fast-paced, raging guitars and soaring vocals,
Cobra Spell are ready to take you back in time for the ultimate sleaze experience.
The title track ‘666’ (also the common number associated with the devil) is an
instrumental intro consisting of only synths where it starts rather quietly before
following a gentle crescendo path so that the listener can settle in, knowing that a
gradual build-up won’t bring in any jump scares. Just like a drag race at Santa Pod,
this song acts as a burnout to warm things up because as soon as the second track
‘S.E.X.’ kicks in, the lights go green and it’s full throttle until the finish line.
Sonia and Noelle both do a fantastic job on guitars with super catchy melodies and
harmonies enough to get a song stuck in your head for days. Their call and response
solos are brilliantly executed as the timings and techniques are sharper than an
ancient spear while abusing the whammy bars and dive bombs in Van Halen style.
Kristina on vocals sings like a true rockstar, you can tell that it’s in her blood when
she sings as it contains this rough texture and passion that any singer of this type
needs to solidify their presence. Hale meanwhile makes excellent use of the drum kit
with good composure to balance dynamics in the slower, calmer tunes or faster and
more aggressive ones. We even get treated to a delightful sax solo in ‘Love=Love’
which has been a dying trait in rock and metal for many decades so wanting to make
any older listeners feel young again is certainly something Cobra Spell aren’t shy of
doing.
In an age where we are seeing more all-female bands like Nervosa, Crypta,
Girlschool, Burning Witches stealing the spotlight and women willing to front other
subgenres outside of symphonic or gothic metal, Cobra Spell in particular are
challenging this norm in the most unapologetic way possible where they reverse the
traditions of the musical hierarchy commonly dominated by men as they’re the rulers and not the so-called ‘groupies’. Now, the tables are turning and the album cover
indicates this change with the devil figure as a female controlling the male devil by
tying him down in chains as he struggles to escape her wrath. ‘S.E.X.’ is a concrete
example of this in its music video which is set in some sort of strip club or
whorehouse where all the band members and other actresses act in a seductive,
sexual manner by lying in a cage waiting to please the guys with their glamorous
outfits and hitch a ride in a supercar. Although it might come out in a comical tone
where roles are swapped, there is a message behind it where women are just as
capable as men and don’t need to be seen as a sex object.
More songs that exemplify this uprising is ‘Satan is a Woman’ with lyrics like “Satan
is a woman, hell is my place, be my sinner be my slave” clearly challenging the
norms. Aside from topics to do with explicit and naughty love, 666 also covers
religious hypocrisy and oppression in songs like ‘The Devil Inside of Me’ and
‘Love=Love’, “I chose to deny my god’s existence, My family thinks I’m going crazy”,
“Why is it a crime that I can’t express my feelings” which is a rare thing to hear from
a band of this sub-genre so it’s good to see that they’re willing to stretch beyond the
trademark subjects.
By defying the traditions, Cobra Spell have made their voices loud and clear and are
a force to be reckoned with as this talented group of young musicians have gotten off
to a flying start in their career because if this is what a debut sounds like, I can only
see a bright future ahead of them.
666 was released on December 1 2023 via Napalm Records
