21 Sep 2009 // A review by CEOMong
Kicking off at 2pm, on a beautifully sunshiny Sunday afternoon, was the almighty Ricky Bobby. A tight 5-some, obviously having a good time and bashing out some damned good metal to the eager masses, a great way to get things going. A real thrashie punk roll feel, they kept nothing in reserve.

After the usual brief recess while the crew did their thing, and the bands refuelled in the Royals’ allegedly well-appointed green room, the Lord of Tigers stepped up and unleashed some epic anthems, face-melting gax solos, and spine-shortening drum & bass rhythms. Honestly, I am a foot shorter now! An excellent set from this 3some, I only wish there had been more. As an added bonus, the bassist is the lead singer of Cobra Khan – what a trip!

Black Chrome then took the stage and belted us all with their refreshingly sweet punk n roll. Highlights for me were a fresh arrangement of ‘Free Peep’, and a sample of their new material. A tight and sweet set. BC always impress, and this time was no exception – BC rules!

Cobra Khan ascended the stage, grabbed a decent hand-hold and didn’t let up for 30 solid minutes of beasty metal, based largely around their latest album, Helgorithms. The set was like taking that well-produced and polished album, dirtying it up, feeding it a bunch of substances, and letting it loose upon the world – bigger, huger, dirtier and stankier, but in all ways superior, and just as heart-felt, but far more tangible. Once again, left me wanting more, in fact I’m listening to the album now. Wicked.

An epic turnout, considering the day and time, a day of rest it may have been for most, but not for the hard working folks that fronted up and let loose. On behalf of the unwashed masses, thank you to the bands, the crew, and the Royal.

Yours in tinnitus,
CEOMong

Cobra Khan’s emergence from the wreckage of New Zealand hard hitters Sommerset, Day One and Balance has been as well documented as the amount of thrashing the tracks from their mini album Sleepless Lions received since its release in 2006. They’ve played shows big and small over the last few years, building on the live reputation of their previous endeavours.

Disinterested in retreading old ground and playing to the conventions of whichever guitar-oriented crowd you’re most likely to lump them into, on their first full-length album Cobra Khan have sidestepped genre restrictions and audience expectations alike to make Helgorithms - an album that brings all manner of influences to bear. After key writer Milon Williams immersed himself in his favourite records before writing Helgorithms. The band has surprised even themselves with the finished product, a sentiment sure to be shared by those hearing it upon release.

Various reference points will present themselves throughout the album, some obvious, and others less so, with Cobra Khan shifting gears with ease on a record that remains cohesive throughout and exudes a quiet confidence and depth that entices on subsequent listens.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Cobra Khan

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