Kobra and the Lotus

Kobra and the Lotus
Background information
Also known as	KATL[1][2][3][4]
Origin	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Genres	Heavy metal
Years active	2009 (2009)–present
Labels	Titan Music and Entertainment, Universal Music/Simmons Records, Spinefarm Records
Website	kobraandthelotus.com
Members	Kobra Paige Jasio Kulakowski Brad Kennedy Adam Brown (guest drummer) Bill Hudson (guitarist) (guest guitars)

Kobra and the Lotus (also initialized as KATL) is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2009 by lead vocalist and songwriter Kobra Paige.^[5][6][7]

History

Formation

In 2009, Kobra and the Lotus was formed by classical singer Kobra Paige^[8] with local guitarists Matt Van Wezel and Chris Swenson. The trio started recording their first songs in Calgary, initially produced by transplanted Toronto musician Greg Godovitz (Goddo). The trio added drummer Griffin Kissack midway through recording their independent release Out of the Pit. Kobra and the Lotus put the initial studio tracks on MySpace in summer 2009 and were discovered by Metal Hammer and approached to include Kobra Paige in the 2010 Metal Hammer Maidens of Metal Calendar^[9] with Simone Simons, Epica and Cristina Scabbia, Lacuna Coil.

"Out of the Pit" indy release 2009

Kobra and the Lotus performing in 2014

The band recorded the first album Out of the Pit^[10] in Calgary in early 2009. During the mixing of the album at Metalworks Studios^[11] in Toronto, Greg invited long time friend Rik Emmett to record a guitar solo to the only cover song on the album, a remake of Motörhead anthem Ace of Spades. After playing their first 2009 Canadian tour, Paige's vocal style had changed significantly and the band approached Kevin Shirley to rerecord the vocals and remix the album.^[12] The remix was so different that many industry writers thought the band had brought in a new lead singer.^[13][14] Producer Nick Blagona (Deep Purple) rerecorded the vocals and remixed the last track of the album "Legend". Kobra and the Lotus independently released their debut album Out of the Pit^[15] in March 2010. The album was a popular release on campus radio charts across Canada^[16][17][18] and several US internet Metal radio stations.^{[19][20][21][22]}

An extensive 2010 Canadian tour had a profound effect^[23] on the vocals of lead singer Paige. The vocal evolution is very distinct between the videos "Cynical Wasteland" from the first album and "Welcome to my Funeral" from the first album under the Simmons/Universal label.

Signing by Universal 2011

The band's manager Susan Bullen had been in touch with several labels regarding the second album and reached out to Mark Spicoluk at Universal Music Group and played some preliminary tracks from the new album. Mark thought Simmons Records^[24] would be interested and later that week Gene Simmons^[25] phoned the band's manager directly with a strong case for Simmons/Universal to sign Kobra and the Lotus. After signing,^[26] Gene Simmons encouraged the band to write four new tracks and go back into the studio January and February 2012 with super producer and fellow Canadian Kevin Churko to record the new tracks and remix and remaster the entire album. The songs 50 Shades of Evil and Forever One were two of the new tracks written.

"Kobra and the Lotus" - self titled release 2012 Universal/Simmons

The band recorded their second album self-titled Kobra and the Lotus February to April 2011, with producer Julius Butty then headed to Europe for a UK summer tour.^[27] After signing to Universal Music Group, the band hired producerKevin Churko to record four more tracks, and to executive produce, remix and remaster the entire album. The self-titled album was globally released in August 2012 in the UK and Europe by Spinefarm Records and in 138 other countries by Universal Music Group affiliates. It was then released in the USA and Canada in April 2013 with Universal Music Enterprises UMe and T-Boy Records. The album rated as 7/8 POWERPOINTS by PowerPlay (music magazine) in issue #145,^[28] rated as KKKK by Kerrang, and 8/10 by Metal Hammer.

"High Priestess" Titan Music and Entertainment 2014

The band switched labels to Titan Music and Entertainment for their next project and recorded 14 new tracks for their new album High Priestess ^[29] with super producer Johnny K, a Grammy Award nominated producer/engineer/mixer/musician and songwriter at Groovemaster Recording Studios in Chicago. Charlie Parra del Riego joined as special guest guitarist for the recording. High Priestess entered the CMJ Loud Rock Radio charts in the USA at #4, it was released globally on June 24, 2014.^[30] to strong reviews worledwide.^[31] The band toured the new album in North America with KISS and Def Leppard in the summer of 2014.

"Words of the Prophets" Titan Music and Entertainment 2015

After an extensive tour with KISS and Def Leppard and the Metal Allstars Kobra Paige was diagnosed with Lyme disease and took an eight-month break from touring to regain her health.^[32] To regain their momentum Kobra Paige reunited her band with Johnny K, to do a tribute to the Canadian classic rock legends they grew up on.^[33] Words of the Prophets was released globally on August 28, 2015.^[34] The EP contains heavy ripping covers^[35] from Alannah Myles, Triumph (band), Bachman-Turner Overdrive, April Wine, and Rush (band). The EP closes out with an audacious take on Rush (band) massive hit, The Spirit of Radio. Kobra Paige says it was the most challenging of the songs on the album due to the 9 time signature changes. The reggae-infused breakdown leading into the song’s final minute was pumped up to give it more swagger.^[36][37] The band will tour the new EP in Europe with Kamelot and Gus G in the fall of 2015.

"Zombie" Titan Music and Entertainment 2015 (single)

A single featuring guest guitarist Charlie Parra del Riego released on Halloween day (October 31, 2015). B-side is new song "Remember Me". Digital and vinyl release only.

Live

Kobra and the Lotus have toured and opened for Kamelot, KISS,^[38] Def Leppard,^[39] Judas Priest, Black Label Society, Max Cavalera, Slash, Gus G, Steel Panther, Buckcherry, Amaranthe, Fear Factory, Primal Fear,^[40] Stratovarius,^[41] Praying Mantis, Demon Hunter, Amanda Somerville, Hate Eternal and Sonata Arctica. Kobra and the Lotus have played Sonisphere Festival, Download Festival, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, Hard Rock Hell, Nova Rock Festival, Metaltown Festival, Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Gods of Metal, Wacken Open Air, Bloodstock Open Air and Metal Female Voices Fest. Kobra Paige occasionally tours with the Metal All-Stars super-group.^[42] With a classical sound Paige's vocals rival that of other female singers well worth seeing in the future. Kobra Paige is currently touring North America as a guest vocalist with Kamelot on their Haven tour.^[43]

Members

Current members

• Kobra Paige – vocals, piano (2009–present)
• Jasio Kulakowski - lead/rhythm guitar (2012–present)
• Brad Kennedy - bass guitar (2013–present)
• Bill Hudson - guest guitars
• Adam Brown - guest drums

Former members

• Lord Griffin Kissack – drums (2009–2014)
• Pete Z Dimov - bass guitar (2011 - 2013)
• Timothy Vega - lead/rhythm guitar (2011-2012)
• Chris Swenson – rhythm guitar, (2009–2012)
• Ben Freud – Bass (2009–2010)
• Matt Van Wezel – lead guitar (2009–2010)

Tour and Studio Guest Musicians

• Alexander Carlegård - guitar (2013)
• Charlie Parra del Riego – lead/rhythm guitar (2012–2013)
• Bryan Buss - Lead Guitar/Bass (2010-2011)
• Patrick Lawty - Bass (2010-2011)
• Bones Elias - guest drums (2014-2015)

Discography

Studio albums

• Out of the Pit (Kobra Music, 2010)^[44]
• Kobra and the Lotus (Spinefarm Records, Universal Music Group, 2012)^[45]
• High Priestess (Titan Music and Entertainment, 2014)^[46]

EPs

• Words of the Prophets (Titan Music and Entertainment, 2015)^[47]

Singles

• "Here Comes Silverbells!!" (Kobra Music Inc., 2009)
• "Zombie" (Titan Music and Entertainment, 2015)
• "Remember Me" (Titan Music and Entertainment, 2015)

Videography

Awards and nominations

• "Visionary", Kobra and the Lotus third album listed as #5 Best Album, 2014 Mid Year Recap by Metal Assault ^[48]
• Kobra and the Lotus named as #3 Best Emerging Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Artists Of 2013 ^[49]
• Kobra Paige listed as one of the Top 25 Women in Hard Rock and Metal for 2013 ^[50][51]
• Kobra and the Lotus nominated for Best New Band at Golden Gods 2012 by Metal Hammer ^[52][53][54]

References

External links

• Kobra and the Lotus Official Site