Kobra and the Lotus – Prevail I (Napalm Records)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    13 mei 2017

I heard so many good things about this female fronted Canadian metal band that I’m so happy that I can finally write my first review about them!


Gotham starts in a mysterious and bombastic way, but explodes pretty fast with rambling guitars and hard hitting drums whilst the vocals are following the fast tempo and are presented with fire and passion! It all sounds powerful and very attractive! The music is despite the heavy sound pretty melodic. The resting points (and the more speeded up parts) show how good and angelic KobraPaige can sing! What a blast! Trigger Pulse starts with hammering snares followed by melancholic vocals. It’s a pearl, just as the previous track. At some point the backings start to shout and give it a great live feel! The electronics add a nice extra sonic feel. You don’t know gets a cool heavy metal start and turns into a false slow one.

The lyrics are raging about troubles in a certain relationship and will appeal very real to all the people who recognize this situation! I adore the melancholic feel! Specimen X (The Mortal Chamber) sounds like a track about the X-men, played in rage modus and fighting against internal and external demons. Once again I notice great guitar play and strong vocals! The backings give it a sweet touch. Light Me Up is a ballad with a melancholic and fragile touch. Once again the vocals mesmerize me! The tempo slows down, speeds up, slows down, …

It’s one of my favorite tracks on the album (filled with diamonds and pearls)! Manifest Destiny makes me think about Kontrust and is very melodic. It’s hard to stand still during this one. Victim rages in a melodic way with some effects on the vocals. The song goes pretty much straight forward. Check The Phyrg has no vocals and is basically showing off their musical possibilities and talents. Hell on Earth is a cool hard hitter, a real heavy metal diamond: crafted like only the very best can do it! Prevail is already the last track and sounds as if we are giving hope! It’s a glorious track ending with a positive feel!

My conclusion is filled with nothing else but good notes! I absolutely enjoyed this trip and hope to see them one day on stage!