In my Opinion KING KOBRA was one of the better rock bands in the eighties, with their classical hard rock and a captivating sound. They were founded in 1984 by the great drummer Carmine Appice, who also has a star on the Walk Of Fame. In their first active years, until 1988, Mark/Marcie Free was the singer. After they reunited in 2010 Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT, BAD BOYZ) is the one holding the microphone in his hands. KING KOBRA may now give many a surprise, with releasing a live document from Sweden Rock Festival – performance 2016, simply called “Sweden Rock Live”.
The concert was recorded at June, 11th and got too much undeserved bad criticism, I think.
If you belong to one of them who didn’t like the concert, then I can make you happy, or calm you down, with the information that this live recording is very good. Perhaps better than the actual concert. The album has a mix of songs from the mid eighties and songs from recent years. Also a pair of covers, which may be unnecessary, because they have many own songs to choose from, but they fit well in anyway.
When the album begins and the powerful and nice guitar playing from David Michael-Philips/Henzerling and the temporary guitarist instead of Mick Sweda, Jordan Ziff, are heard, then it tingles in the stomach of expectation. Just like in front of a live concert. There is nothing wrong with Paul Shortino's voice, but I can’t help comparing with Mark Free, so at first it doesn’t sound like KING KOBRA. But give him a chance, listen to this album a couple of times and you get used to it.
Several of the songs gives a good live-feeling with the audience singing in the chorus. When Paul Shortino says, "C'mon clap your hands", it makes the listener wanting to do that too. Paul Shortino really fits singing the newer songs, like "Knock 'em Dead", which is rhythmic and pushing rock. The guitarplaying is here full of power and absolutely amazing.
As soon as I hear the name of KING KOBRA's bassist Johnny Rod, I'm full of joy. He’s a frisky personality who steals the whole show when you see them live. Can the joy and energy spread even when you listen to this album? Yes, listen and enjoy "Ballad Of Johnny Rod", which is not a slow song, as you might think because of the title. On the contrary it’s uptempo and different rhythms give the song a fine depth. This is so good that the smile in my face has come to stay.
It goes straight on with a short bass solo, with the wild child himself; Johnny Rod. Then follows some of the song with the fitting title "Wild Child", a cover of WASP, where Johnny Rod was a member for a few years in the late eighties and even in the early nineties. It is sung here by Johnny Rod himself.
Now to my disappointment, both on this album and when I stood there in the audience. From the first tune, it’s usually heard that it’s the song "Hunger", but not here unfortunately. If you have this song as a personal favorite, then it will be difficult to like this version.
I don’t know if Paul Shortino is in vain trying to make his own version, not to be compared to Mark Free's awesome version. But instead it feels just messy and impersonal. The articulation is not good, so it’s hard to hear what he's singing. So even if you as a listener know the lyrics, you get confused and forget them. But you can at least enjoy the rhythm of the drums through your body.
After that a shorter guitar solo is made of the DEEP PURPLE classic "Highway Star" and the two guitars together gives a fantastic feeling. Paul Shortino also makes a tribute to his and Carmine Appice's good friend Ronnie James Dio (1942 - 2010) with a cover of the BLACK SABBATH piece "Heaven And Hell". It’s a nice gesture and this song gives a good live feeling. Just close your eyes and follow into the music.
Then of course, what would a live performance be without a drum solo? Especially when it’s with Carmine Appice, one can not exclude it. The length is good, so you don’t get tired or bored. I recommend that you turn up the volume, or listen with earphones, to hear all shades of his drumming.
"Raise Your Hands To Rock" is audience friendly, with lyrics that are easy to sing and the audience really raised their hands and rocked that night at Sweden Rock. Even just hearing the song and feeling the rhythm makes your body move. Then it's impossible to be still during "Turn Up The Good (Times)". Here is more feeling and joy, that reminds me of GLENN HUGHES. A groovy kind of feeling takes control of your body and at least I can’t stop moving. Here you find also heavier guitar riffs and an excellent vocal performance of the new frontman. A perfect ending, which makes you want that the record doesn’t end already.
The thirteen tracks of this CD could have been extended to sixteen, so the whole concert had been included. I especially miss "Monsters and Heroes", but sometimes some songs may be left outside to get more dynamics on the final album. In the case of this song, I think unfortunately that it was the audience that destroyed a little, because it seemed like most of them were not really familiar with this one. The singing in the chorus was therefore not good.
Anyway, this is a live recording I think you should have in your music collection. I’m thinking "One more time, one more time ..." and start the disc again... (Anna)
Bewertung:
7,5 / 10
Anzahl der Songs:13
Spielzeit: 56:00 min
Label: Metalville Records
Veröffentlichungstermin: 27.07.2018
