It’s been decades since the era of “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” and the heyday of classic heavy metal, yet there are bands both new and old trying to keep the flames alive and doing a pretty good job achieving the proper aesthetic. It’s not easy, apparently, because for every good band doing this there are 10 that fall short, eventually falling by the wayside.
Houston-based traditional metal band Night Cobra pretty much nail everything on their second record “Beware the Dark Future,” a 40-minute bruiser packed with classic sounds, sweat, and blood. The band also has been holding down the roots of this genre even beyond the band. Vocalist/synth player Christian Bakka plays in black metal force Necrofier and is also creator and producer of the annual Hell’s Heroes fest that has become a huge destination event. Joining him here are guitarists Brandon Barger and Bill Fool, bassist Trevi Biles, and drummer Dobber Beverly of Necrofier and Oceans of Slumber (Anthony Vallejo plays live), and they unleash an electrifying set there that defies the ages and burns hearts.
“Keepers of the Cult” opens sounding like late ’70s Priest with great energy surging, the guitars flexing muscles. The leads rush as the chorus sweeps, twin guitars glisten, and the last bolts jar you. “Cut By the Knife” punches its way in as the guitars scorch, and the band achieves a vintage metal feel that makes blood rush. “They live, we all die, don’t believe what you see,” Bakka wails, the tempo driving as the song comes to a fiery end. “Cry for Blood” has a clean start, flowing calmer before ripping its way open, stampeding as the power surges. The singing takes on a rougher tone as the soloing melts faces, the chorus smokes, and more punches connect before burning out. “Beware the Dark Future” brings snarling guitars, villainous cackles, and a ravaging pace, feeling like a Maiden gallop. Soloing fires as the singing stretches, the pace rages, and a final burst surges adrenaline.
“Demons of Fire” blazes, the band howling, “Serpents of fire!” as the chorus blisters, Bakka’s singing sounding like King Diamon’s lower register. The soloing rips as more gang shouts pummel, ravaging fury taking the lead, everything ending in a colorful haze. “On The Edge” has keys fluttering, the playing pumping and chugging, the singing taking you on a molten adventure. Soloing rips as the chorus ravages, gang shouts of, “Die! Die! Time to die!” riveting with electricity. “Cheating Death” is speedy and punchy, the singing scarring as fast-paced devastation mixes with shadows. Guitars attack as the soloing stings, the temperatures spiking while bringing ominous tones, Bakka warning, “No one gets out alive.” Closer “Starlight” runs 8:21 and burns into existence, the band throwing haymakers, the singing lashing as Bakka vows, “Say the words, I will return.” The song enters a mystical awareness before the power shifts and the band hits harder. Spirited “oh-oh” calls jolt and guitars savage, shrieks raining down, fires battering and a final declaration of, “It is forever!” booming through your brain for life.
Night Cobra bring a tried-and-true ’80s-style metal attack on “Beware the Dark Future,” one fuck of a fun record. This is vintage metal that is understood by its creators and delivered with heart and glory, giving you a diversion from the things that ail your mind. This is a massive display from a band that is reviving classic metal and making it breathe fire.
For more on the band, go here: https://nightcobra.bandcamp.com/music
To buy the album, go here: https://namelessgraverecords.com/collections/nameless-grave-records-releases
For more on the label, go here: https://namelessgraverecords.com/
