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KING KOBRA
We Are Warriors

Cleopatra (2023)
Rating: 6.5/10

Featuring new guitarists Carlos Cavazo (ex-Quiet Riot) and Rowan Roberstson (ex-Dio), Los Angeles, California-based melodic rockers King Kobra are back with a new studio album, their first for a decade.

With Paul Shortino (vocals), Johnny Rod (bass), Carmine Appice (drums) providing the spine of instrumentation, I’m surprised that We Are Warriors seems rather bereft of power and is riddled with restraint. Having said that, for me every King Kobra record – yes, even those 80s releases – were somewhat of a mixed bag, and there is no change here. Lighter rockers sit alongside sleazier elements and occasional drifts into smoky blues.

Ten tracks are offered, including an unnecessary cover rendition of ‘Love Hurts’ which Scottish rockers Nazareth made their own. Elsewhere, there is plenty of simmering, some pomp but little in the way of oomph as the album ambles rather than strides purposefully. It’s melodious hard rock at its heart although all too timid and thin on the ground when it comes to grit, but it’s rock music that should not be taken all too seriously and the anthemic title track is testimony to that with its cheesy lyrics.

Referring back to grit, ‘Drownin’’ stands out but a lot of the numbers have more of a bluesy swagger. ‘Darkness’ boasts a Led Zeppelin vibe, ‘Dance’ has a sleazy strut and ‘One More Night’ reminds me of Deep Purple. Clearly, the standout qualities are Shortino’s rich croons, but it’s a shame that the axe work is somewhat understated and never really given the chance to become a full powerhouse.

However, slick grooves do exist aplenty with the likes of ‘Secrets And Lies’ and ‘Turn Up The Music’, but We Are Warriors is a record that feels underwhelming. Although maybe worth picking up the CD version for the balladic ‘Side By Side’ bonus track.

Neil Arnold

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