Kobra and the Lotus – Alter Ego, Manchester: 5th November 2013

Alter Ego on Princess Street, Manchester was the basement venue where tonight’s bonfire night gig was taking place. Consisting or a warren of rooms with a bar to the left, as you enter, and a stage to the right, with the only access to the stage being across the dance floor cum audience space.

An eclectic mix was brought together for this evening’s entertainment. Kobra and the Lotus, a female fronted Heavy Metal band from Canada. Santa Cruz, a Glam Punk Powerhouse from Finland and Manchester’s own female fronted Death Metal band, Incassum.

Incassum
Incassum

Death Metal you either love or loathe, I don’t think there’s any in between and I’m in the latter group, so I was never going to be a big fan of Incassum. However, putting personal preferences aside, they played a good set. Their songs are a mix of tuneful, normal type singing and a death metal growl. The normal singing was great and Sharleen’s an engaging front woman, slim and attractive with long dark hair and a powerful voice. A short set, consisted of a handful of songs, including Walk Alone, a more chilled out number (their description – not mine) and Cut Loose, Incassum’s latest music video, which can be found on You Tube. If Death Metal is your thing then these would certainly be worth further investigation.

 

Incassum: Rite of Passage
Incassum: Rite of Passage

Band Members: –

Sharleen Kennedy – Vocals
John Curran – Drums,Vocals
Joe Ratcliffe- Bass
Chris Taylor – Guitar,Vocals
Andrew Snowden – Guitar

Links

https://www.facebook.com/Incassum?ref=br_tf

http://www.incassum.com/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rite-Of-Passage-Incassum/dp/B00ADC6Z7M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384124696&sr=8-2&keywords=incassum+album

Santa Cruz: A Rear View
Santa Cruz: A Rear View

Main support on the UK tour came in the form of Santa Cruz, a young Glam Punk/Sleaze band from Finland, which is more my thing and with four good-looking young guys, three peroxide blonde and one tall, dark and handsome what was not to like! Opening with Screaming for Adrenaline the three guitarists started off with their backs to us, not a bad rear view at all! Energetic jumps, air guitar playing (as in guitars held aloft), beer spraying, thankfully on the stage and not on the audience! These guys were entertaining to watch, reminiscent of  bands like Towers of London and The Howling. I also picked up Olli Herman (Reckless Love) type screams, screaming guitars matched screaming vocals chord for note! Ending on a (screaming) high note with Aiming High I’d love to see these again, but then Glam Punk and sleaze in general, is my preferred genre. If that’s your bag then look out for them in a venue near you!

Santa Cruz: Screaming for Adrenaline
Santa Cruz: Screaming for Adrenaline

 

Band Members:

Archie: Vocals, Guitar
Johnny: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Middy: Bass, Backing Vocals
Taz: Drums, Backing Vocals

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/santacruzband

http://www.santacruz.fi/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Screaming-For-Adrenaline-Santa-Cruz/dp/B00CC8EAEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384125281&sr=8-1&keywords=santa+cruz+album

Kobra Paige
Kobra Paige

The headliners Kobra and the Lotus, a hard rocking metal band from Canada finally took to the stage. Kobra has the stunning looks of a young Doro Pesch and an equally stunning voice to belt out the high notes of these hard rocking tunes. Classically trained as a possible opera singer this is evident as soon as Kobra starts singing. Her voice, I would describe as something like a cross between Evanescence’s Amy Lee and Toyah Willcox.

I didn’t manage to get hold of a set list but it was an enjoyable set. The highlight’s being Forever One which reminded me of Metallica’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, Lonely Sanctuary, a sentimental song, slower and melodic with some powerful guitar riffs, Heaven’s Veins with yet more powerful riffs and War Horse which, with its fast drums and powerful screams had elements of Iron Maiden say Run to the Hills.

 

Lord Griffin Kissack on Drums
Lord Griffin Kissack on Drums

Towards the end came a brilliant drum solo, but at first I couldn’t work out where the sound was coming from as Lord Griffin Kissack didn’t appear to be moving! Perhaps he was just moving so fast that my eyes didn’t register the movement!

Last but certainly not least came the song Fifty Shades of Evil with lots of synchronised guitar playing and a fast and furious rhythm section! Evil? A high note to end on? Definitely – Wicked! Whilst this was only a small venue with a small stage Kobra and the Lotus are a thoroughly entertaining rock band, who would easily come across just as well in a much bigger venue. If you like bands such as Metallica, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest you will, no doubt, love Kobra and the Lotus!

I caught up with Kobra and Jasio shortly before the show. Find out what they had to say here: http://planetmosh.com/kobra-and-the-lotus-interview-with-kobra-paige-and-jasio-kulakowski-5th-november-2013/

Kobra and the Lotus
Kobra and the Lotus

 

Kobra and the Lotus: Self Titled Album
Kobra and the Lotus: Self Titled Album

Band Members:

Kobra Paige – Vocals
Jasio Kulakowski – Guitars
Alex Carlegård – Guitars
Lord Griffin Kissack – Drums
Brad Kennedy – Bass

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/KobraAndTheLotus

http://www.kobraandthelotus.com/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kobra-And-The-Lotus/dp/B008ATL3GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384125462&sr=8-1&keywords=kobra+and+the+lotus+album

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!