Release Date: August 18th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Cobranoid: Tracklisting
1.Flesh And Bone 03:48
2.Shimmer 04:54
3.Halfwit 05:12
4.N.E.S. 05:53
5.Doom Shark 05:07
6.Hyena 04:38
Members
Kyle Gaso - Guitar/Vocals
Logan O’Connor - Bass
Kevin Wylie - Drums
Review
Thrash/Doom/Speed Metallers Cobranoid make a barnstorming and aggressive entrance with their excellent self-titled debut release. Merging heavy slabs of Doom Metal that High On Fire are known for with the fast-paced delivery of Motorhead but with the added bonus of Thrash Metal all moulded within the classic Power Trio formation.
One of our team here at the blog S Patrick Brooks has been telling me about this great band for the last few weeks and I said I would check them out. And BOY, wasn’t he right with this one.
The one thing that makes this record standout is how gloriously FUN the whole thing is. You can tell the band are having fun playing their own blend of Speed Metal with the added bonus of Doom, Thrash and good old fashioned RAWK Music. Cobranoid play classic sounding THRASH beats like their lives depended on it especially within the sublime opening tracks of Flesh And Bone and Shimmer.
Cobranoid adds a sludgy backdrop especially through Logan O’Connor’s excellent bass with Kyle Gaso demonstrating some fine THIN LIZZY guitar riff worship along the way. Kevin Wylie is just in pure BEAST MODE behind the drums which gives Cobranoid a true Heavy Metal sound whilst cornering the finer points of their Doom Metal sound.
The lyrics can be quite subversive and politically charged, especially on the excellent third track of Halfwit. There’s a standout instrumental section which ranks as one of the best throughout the whole record even if it's not the heaviest. Cobranoid are at their most daring and more expressive as this song becomes heavier and heavier with each passing moment. The onslaught of aggressive Thrash Metal sounds that merges with Classic Hard Rock energy is something I didn’t expect how the song would end up.
Fourth track N.E.S. is rages into pure High On Fire territory but in a good way with Cobranoid installing a slight Psychedelic flavour which allows a primal Thrash Metal sound to fully lead the creative charge with a fine amount of instrumental sounds transforming into a Psych Doom movement. Kyle’s vocals are excellent with the perfect balance of Heavy Metal bravado whilst keeping with the appearance of classic Heavy Metal. The music is perhaps the star yet again with Cobranoid demonstrating a keen ear for melody along the way.
The final two tracks of Doom Shark and Hyena are the most action packed tracks on the record with Cobranoid playing their great style of combined Heavy Metal sounds with the Classic Hard Rock atmosphere allowing the “FUN” aspect of their record that I mentioned earlier in the review to be continuously part of the whole ride. The lyrics are quite subtle and perhaps self aware at times but it makes this such a downright thrilling spectacle of Heavy Metal sounds.
Cobranoid are busy at work for their second record due for release in 2025 and I have a feeling that the band will have a loyal and dedicated fanbase within the Doom/Sludge Metal underground scene thanks to this excellent debut release.
Don’t let this record pass you by. The underground scene once in a while provides the world with a great band to fully get behind and fully root for. Well, Cobranoid are that type of band and this album is a must have release. So what are you waiting for.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
