COBRA - First Strike

European Import : Candy042

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AS ANY DUDE will tell you, the difference between achieving success and failing can be down to the most tenuous of reasons. For Cobra the early signs were better than most. They wrote great songs, were fronted by a world class vocalist in Jimi Jamison (later to join Survivor), had first class management (Butch Stone) holding the business reigns and, best of all, the colossal firepower of Epic Records right behind them. Inexplicably, however, the record failed to connect, taking the wind out of their sails and forcing an early retreat into the file marked 'strictly for connoisseurs'.
Although based in Memphis (by way of Switzerland) the band was truly an international collaboration featuring three Americans and two Swiss renegades; Mandy Meyer (from Krokus) and Tommy Keiser (who would also go on to play with Krokus). The Memphis contingent also had some serious form; Jimi Jamison having fronted A&M signed blues rockers Target and guitarist/keyboard player Jack Holder, a Memphis legend having seen active duty as a member of Black Oak Arkansas amongst many other accomplishments. Together with super-fit drummer Jeff Klaven, the band constructed a stunning, but melodic, hard rock sound that has not dated one jot. Originally released in 1983 (the same year as Def Leppard's 'Pyromania' and Dio's 'Holy Diver') and produced by 'Colonel' Tom Allom (Judas Priest, Krokus, Def Leppard etc), the 'First Strike' remains one of the best and certainly one of the most criminally overlooked albums of the era.This is a Special Collector's Edition that has been remastered with sound shaped from 24 but digital via POW-r technology. It includes a 12 page full colour booklet with original and enhanced artwork with new photos and
full involvement from the band as well as a 4,000 Word essay on the making of the album by Dave Cockett.