THE METAL PIT:  Where did the band name come from?

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS:    After bouncing around many crazy ideas for perfect band names, Chris, Matt and I decided on Lotus. Shortly after, we welcomed a new drummer into the band and he found the name too feminine so we decided to change our name to Kobra. We named it with a “K” solely for the purpose that “Cobra” had been taken by many other artists. After recording our album “Out of The Pit” , we realized we could not own all of the online domains for the name Kobra because it had been taken. This is when Kobra and the Lotus was born.

What is the song/lyric writing process with the band?

For our first album, Chris and Matt would write a riff and then collaboratively we would begin extending off of that idea. With our newer songs, we are finding everyone is beginning to bring ideas to the table. Once we have an idea, Chris and Matt will lay down a rough track of the guitars, I will write the lyrics and lay down rough vocals, then Ben and Griffin will write their bass and drum parts respectively. It is commonly this layering beginning with guitars then vocals. If we are interested in a certain sound or influence, we will send each other some songs to listen to from other peoples albums to help understand the idea trapped inside our heads.

What are some of your main influences?

We are influenced by a large range of music encompassing classic music, melodic death metal, classic rock and 80’s all around heavy metal. Pink Floyd to Amon Amarth to Chopin, you name it.

There is not many metal bands that come out of Calgary. What is the metal scene like in Calgary or Alberta?

The metal scene here is very heavy. Though there are some powermetal and progressive bands, it is mostly dominated by black and death metal.

Is there any thoughts of relocating the band?

Absolutley! We hope to relocate to the East, most likely Toronto, within the next year.

Your cd features a cover of Motorhead's ACE OF SPADES. Why did you pick this song and where there any other classic metal songs you were thinking of covering?

At first we thought of covering Iron Maiden’s “Trooper” but Chris wanted to do Ace of Spades. It definitely posed a challenge at first for the vocals, but after working many times with the music it turned out to be a very fun tribute to a legendary song. We knew everyone would recognize it no matter where we played it, so we decided it had to be on the album.

Canadian guitar veteran Rik Emmett guests on ACE OF SPADES. What was it like having him play on this song?

It was wicked! The album was being mixed at Metalworks studio in Mississauga, Ontario when our producer hooked us up with Rik. He came in like a true Rockstar, ready, willing, and able, to tear one out on the guitar effortlessly. He was full of character, rockin out around the studio room as he layed a perfect solo down in just two tries.

What are some classic rock/metal albums that inspired you to join a band or make music?

Definitely some big ones are: Metallica’s “Kill  Em All”, “Black Earth by Arch Enemy, and “Painkiller” by Judas Priest.

If you could tour with any bands who would they be?

Megadeth, Primal Fear, Stratovarius, and W.A.S.P.

What would one expect from a live Kobra and the Lotus show?

You can expect a full on show full of energy, charisma and engagement with the audience. We have a firm belief in not just being about music but also the interaction and fun that goes on between the band and audience while being on and off the stage.

On your album what was it like working with Kevin Shirley?

It was fantastic. He has a very interesting perception of music and is very sensitive to effects. He really brings out the rawness in the songs so that a person listening to the album can fully expect to hear an almost identical track replicated live.

The album closes with the song LEGEND featuring Brittany singing with her classical style vocal training.Is this something you wanted to just put on one song or is it like a test for what might happen in future recordings?

It is a very heartfelt song with a purpose to convey good intentions for the band and anyone in the world needing a helping hand. It seemed appropriate to sing a little more classically for the context of the music. It also was a chance to express the full range and power of her vocals. Though she will always have a rocky edge to her vocals, this tone will definitely be present in future vocals.

What is the best and worst things about touring so far?

We will tell you when we finish touring across Canada haha but so far maybe the only remotely negative thing is being overtired sometimes. There is not much that can keep us off the road.

Your just new but any funny touring stories that you can share?

There are definitely some horror stories but one of us or more may be slayed if they slip out haha. There are definitely some sketchy things that go on though. When we went to play in Winnipeg last year we stayed at The Osbourne hotel attached to the venue we were playing in.  There were many a crack head roaming around inside I tell you. When three of us were standing outside one of the rooms trying to find Chris, we turned around and there was a super old sickly man sitting with his room door open at a table with “cat claw” legs. We accidentally just kept staring at the piles of chef Boyardee cans piled to the ceiling in his bathroom and along the walls. As he came slowly to close the door while staring us in the eye, a fat cat walked out of his bathroom. Weird man weird! We all slept in our shoes and clothes with hoodies zipped up while Matt rolled around in the sheets in only his boxer’s haha.

How did the band come together?

I found Chris and Matt on an online advertisement looking for a drummer to jam with. I emailed Chris telling him to replace their singer with me haha I then proceeded to go over and sing covers of Iron Maiden and Guns ’n Roses. We wrote “Ride Like Sugar” within the first jam and just couldn’t split up after that. The hunt then began for the right line up and after many drummers, bass players, and a few studio musicians, we found the oh so wonderful Ben and Griffin.

What do you hope the future holds for Kobra and the Lotus?

We all hope to be venturing into Europe and Japan by the end of next year, hopefully making most of our touring schedule along metal festival circuits. Kobra and the Lotus want to be not only a Canadian band, but a band of the World. Keep your ears open for some new tunes.

What are some of your fav songs from the album to play live?

Definitely Legend, Cynical Wasteland, and Ace of Spades. We find these songs connect the fastest with people that haven’t heard our music before and often catch people trying to sing along with our songs even if they haven’t heard them before!

For the most part Canadian metal bands can't seem to make it big worldwide. How are you gonna change that?

By promoting ourselves in whatever way possible, working extremely hard, and playing every single gig opportunity we can even if it requires selling our souls to get ourselves over to a festival in Europe. Any face you play in front of is a good face. Whether they like you or not, those people will still talk about you haha.

What is currently going on with Kobra and the Lotus? Just touring? Any set plans as of yet for touring outside of North America?

We are actually embarking on an extensive Canadian tour that will be wrapping up in the beginning of September so keep your eyes peeled for our tour list because chances are we are coming to a place near you! This tour will be ending with 3 dates in the states including headlining the Sirens Of Metal Festival II in Detroit city. This was headlined by Dorro last year! In the fall we hope to tour through New Zealand and Australia and we have just been confirmed for England’s Hard Rock Hell Festival. This will be our second time in the UK and we are super excited!

Do you have any closing thoughts for this interview?

Yes. Do unto others as they would do unto you. In other words, practice life and work with good intentions because what comes around goes around and hard work pays off! A tip for our brothers and sisters out there playing in bands, network the hell out of this industry because it changes your world when you start to form relationships with the right people!