King Kobra: II

King Kobra released their first album of pulsating US Hard Rock an amazing (or depressing depending on how you look at it) twenty eight years ago and while the name of their new album – II – may well suggest that they've been inactive for the remainder of that time, that is only partly true. Initially put together by one-time Ozzy, Cactus and Vanilla Fudge sticksman Carmine Appice, King Kobra burst on the scene with their Ready To Strike album featuring the talents of bassist Johnny Rod (WASP), guitarists David Michael-Philips and Mick Sweda, vocalist Mark Free (now Marcie Free) (Unruly Child) and of course their illustrious drum leader. Thrill Of A Lifetime followed in 1986 before III appeared two years later with Johnny Edwards (Foreigner) taking the place of the departed Free. Tired of releasing excellent albums to little interest (Capitol released the first two KK albums but dropped them before the independently released III), Appice folded the band, joining John Sykes and Tony Franklin in the excellent Blue Murder. A compilation, The Lost Years saw the light of day in 1999, before a surprise return for King Kobra arrived in 2001, Appice and Sweda teaming up with Kelly Keagy (vocals, bass) and Steve Fister (guitar) for the decidedly unremarkable Hollywood Trash, the band being put on ice again not long after.

Fast forward another ten years and now fronted by the under rated Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot) the original members (minus Free) made a surprise return with the excellent and simply titled King Kobra, combining 70s Hard Rock values with an 80s like commerciality and the raw, readiness of Van Halen. The results being arguably the best album of the band's long disjointed career. So here we are with the seventh album in KK cannon being confusingly titled II. Thankfully that's where any misunderstandings start and stop, with the momentum built on the self titled comeback repeated in fine style. Shortino once again proves to be the ace in the pack on an album brimming with gritty, yet accessible riffs, punchy choruses and a thundering rhythm section, his voice ranging from an ear catching soar, to a chest thundering roar. Put simply he's immense on this album. However not far behind are Sweda and Michael-Philips, the pair trading searing solos and hook laden motifs for all their worth, although it is the excellent selection of riffs the pair serve up that makes the likes of "When The Hammer Comes Down", "Hell On Wheels", or the mix of "Tears Are Falling" by Kiss and Van Hagar of "Got It Comin'" as irresistible as they are. Add to that the slow Zep brood of "Deep River" and the spiralling Deep Purple down and dirtyisms of "Knock 'Em Dead", and its uncompromising lyrics, and II really is an album to be reckoned with. Although if there was to be one slight complaint it would be that even some of the best songs do go on one verse and chorus too long.

Hopefully King Kobra are back for the long haul this time. On the evidence of II they are firing on all cylinders and fully deserving of the success and acclaim that has disappointingly evaded them thus far.

Track Listing
1. Hell On Wheels
2. Knock 'Em Dead
3. Have A Good Time
4. The Ballad Of Johnny Rod
5.Take Me Back
6. When The Hammer Comes Down
7. Running Wild
8. The Crunch
9. Got It Comin'
10. Deep River
11. Don't Keep Me Waiting
12.We Go Round

Added: September 29th 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Carmine Appice Online
Hits: 4628
Language: english

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