King Kobra

In 1983 Carmine Appice, the celebrated drummer from Vanilla Fudge and Blue Murder, launched the hard rock outfit King Kobra. Over the mid- and late-1980s the band delivered three albums that traversed heavy metal and adult-oriented rock territory. After dissolving in 1989 the group reassembled in 2010 with an altered lineup and released the two full-length sets King Kobra and King Kobra II on Frontiers Records. Activity stopped again in 2013, yet the members regrouped in 2016 for several concerts that preceded the 2023 studio album We Are Warriors.

Appice assembled the original quintet after exiting Ozzy Osbourne’s band, bringing in vocalist Mark Free, guitarists David Michael-Phillips and Mick Sweda, and bassist Johnny Rod. Their debut, Ready to Strike, appeared on EMI in 1985 and showcased an energetic fusion of hooks and guitar fireworks. The follow-up, Thrill of a Lifetime, surfaced in 1986 and contained the hit single “Iron Eagle (Never Say Die),” used as the theme for the military action film Iron Eagle. By the third album the lineup had shifted to Appice, vocalist Johnny Edwards, guitarists Phillips and Jeff Northrup, and bassist Larry Hart; they issued the independent King Kobra III on New Renaissance in 1988. The next year Appice ended the project to join guitarist John Sykes—formerly of Thin Lizzy, Tygers of Pan Tang, and Whitesnake—in his new band Blue Murder.

During 2010 Appice reunited the classic core of Mick Sweda, David Michael-Philips, and Johnny Rod, adding vocalist Paul Shortino of Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot. The resulting self-titled King Kobra emerged on Frontiers Records in 2011. The same roster produced King Kobra II in 2013 before the band halted once more, citing conflicting schedules. In 2016 the collective, now without Mick Sweda, reconvened for select live appearances. Ahead of the 2023 release We Are Warriors, Appice formed a new configuration that retained longtime bassist Johnny Rod and vocalist Paul Shortino while adding guitarist Carlos Cavazo from Quiet Riot and former Dio member Rowan Robertson.