Kobra Paige

Kobra ^[1] (born October 14, 1988) is the lead singer and songwriter for the hard rock and metal band Kobra and the Lotus and guest vocalist for Kamelot and Metal All Stars.

Early years

At the age of 7, Kobra started classical singing lessons and classical piano and after attending a Judas Priest concert at age 15 decided that Metal was the right place for her voice and her passion. "When I saw the way the crowd responded when Painkiller (Judas Priest song) started playing, I knew I needed to be part of this culture" says Paige during an interview with Revolver (magazine).^[2] Kobra and her band Kobra and the Lotus would open for Judas Priest at the Hammersmith Apollo four years later in London.^[3][4]

Kobra and the Lotus

Kobra answered an ad in a Calgary paper for a drummer for a heavy metal band, she showed up and told them she was not a drummer but a singer, and after jamming through some metal standards, she had the job. "I wanted to find some musicians to jam some Iron Maiden with but by the first practice we started writing our own tunes instead." says Kobra in an interview with Femme Metal.^[5] The band recorded the first Kobra and the Lotus album, Out of the Pit in Calgary with Toronto heavy rocker Greg Godovitz Goddo producing the first cut and mixing the tracks at Metalworks Studios in Toronto. Kobra met both Gil Moore and Rik Emmett at the studio, and Rik Emmett did a guitar solo for the KATL cover of Ace of Spades (song).^[6] After sending the debut CD to a few industry taste makers, Canadian journalist Carl Begai suggested another recording session for the vocals,^[7] and Kobra re-recorded the vocals and remixed the debut CD with Kevin Shirley providing the first generation of the signature Kobra sound. From the independent release of Out of the Pit Kobra Paige and her music was noticed by Metal Hammer and Kobra Paige was included in the 2010 "Maidens of Metal" calendar.^[8]

The second album was recorded with producer Julius Butty, and the demo tracks were shopped to Universal Music who subsequently played them for Gene Simmons who was influential in the band signing to Universal Music for their second self titled album "Kobra and the Lotus". According to Kobra "He’s very dedicated to keeping metal alive, and it’s great to be able to use all his business and industry knowledge!" ^[9] Gene recommended that they drop the slower tempo tracks off the album and write new tracks. Kobra and the Lotus wrote recorded "Forever One", "My Life", "50 Shades of Evil" with producer Kevin Churko and added them to the new album. It was also Gene Simmons who suggested that Kobra change her name legally from Brittany Paige to Kobra Paige to coincide with the release of the new album. Kobra Paige is her legal name.

While touring the third album High Priestess (album) Kobra became quite ill with Lyme disease during the end of the The KISS 40th Anniversary World Tour and took time off to recover.^[10] During the time off, in order to keep the fans interested, Kobra and the Lotus recorded an EP of their favorite Canadian rock artists and released Words of the Prophets.^[11]

Kobra and the Lotus is currently finishing the mix of their new double album which will be available in 2017.

Metal All Stars

Kobra Paige joined the super group Metal All Stars in 2014 for a European tour and subsequent South American tour with other vocalists Zakk Wylde, James LaBrie, UDO, Joey Belladonna, and Max Cavalera.^[12][13]

Kamelot

Kobra and the Lotus did a tour with Kamelot through Europe in 2015 and Kobra did do some guest vocals with the band. Subsequently, Kamelot has had Kobra as a regular guest vocalist on the Haven tour.^[14]

Music

Studio albums

• Out of the Pit (Kobra Music, 2010)^[15]
• Kobra and the Lotus (Spinefarm Records, Universal Music Group, 2012)^[16]
• High Priestess ^[17]
• Prevail I + II [double album] (2017)^[18]

EPs

• Words of the Prophets ^[19]

Singles

• "Here Comes Silverbells!!" (Kobra Music Inc., 2009)
• "Zombie" (Kobra Music Inc., 2015)
• "Remember Me" (Kobra Music Inc., 2015)
• "TriggerPulse" ^[20] (Napalm Records, 2016)

Videos

References