Initially putting the project together in 2019, Cobra Spell became a primary avenue for Anubis to write and record her songs with her unique vision. Putting out the debut EP Love Venom in 2020, followed by another EP called Anthems of the Night in 2022, Cobra Spell was attracting attention with a brand of Heavy Metal that harked back to the genre’s golden years.
Both independent releases, changes began to take motion as Vocalist Alexx Panza left the band in the spring of 2022, opening the door for new Vocalist Kristina Vega. Having years of experience fronting the Progressive Metal band Born In Exile, Vega took to Cobra Spell like a fish to water, learning all of their songs in less than a week. Rather impressive, the new configuration fit the direction of Cobra Spell, and in May 2022, it was announced that the band would be signing a deal with Napalm Records. Quite exciting, they soon recruited Hale Naphtha to handle drums, Noelle Dos Anjos on rhythm guitar, and Roxy Herrera to play bass, together putting out the blistering debut full-length album 666 in December 2023.
Currently configured as a trio with Anubis, Vega, and Naphtha, the lens is beginning to come into focus, with Cobra Spell provided to be a formidable, powerful Heavy Metal band on the scene with a bright future. Fast forward sixteen months after 666 emerged, and the ladies return with a new EP called Anthems of the Venomous Hearts. Released digitally, as well as a digipak CD (limited to 500 copies and only available at a concert or the band’s merchandise shop) independently on March 28, 2025, it is not exactly what you might expect.
After laying out the storyline of Cobra Spell, it is evident that the band has experienced various lineup shifts over the past five years. Now that the dust has settled and the lineup appears fortified, they have re-recorded tracks featured on the earlier EPs Love Venom and Anthems of the Night with Vega on vocals. Taking nothing away from what Panza brought to the project, the truth is that hearing Vega lead the songs in a studio recording is highly compelling.
Handpicking six selections from Love Venom and Anthems of the Night, it is safe to say that some exciting new feeling has been injected into the mix. Fitting nicely with Vega’s energetic, dynamic range, tracks like “Poison Bite” and “Shake Me” (from Love Venom), along with “Addicted To The Night” and “Accelerate” (off Anthems of the Night), have a whole new life. Beyond these, there is also a new take on the 2022 single “Flaming Heart,” both in English and Japanese!
Overall, Anthems of the Venomous Hearts is a great way to bridge the gap between the beginning of Cobra Spell and the present as they prepare for the future. Heavy Metal with fantastic melodic guitars, passionate vocals, and an atmosphere that grabs you, Cryptic Rock gives this new EP 4 out of 5 stars.
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