Stockholm's Cobra Cult comes out with Don't Kill the Dark, their third release, which continues the journey of this Hard Rock Band that infuses a bit of Punk to their sound. Taking influences from several "Best of 80's Metal" bands, Cobra Cult seems to have touches of Grim Reaper (circa 1980's version) meets early era Styx, as well as maybe some Diamond Head, (although pretty much everyone seems to cite Diamond Head as an influence so that's both a nod to their underappreciation and a lazy way to describe Cobra Cults not quite thrash, not quite speed, not quite glam style.

This band tends to keep their songs short and wastes little time getting right to it with their hooks. Johanna Lindhult has a pleasant, clear, clean, and strong voice. She doesn't reach for histrionics or operatic material. This is a meat and potato Hard Rock band that likes mini anthems such as track four Stand Your Ground. This music may not reach for anything special, but it knows that often the wheel does not need reinvention, it just needs to roll steady, and that is what they do.

Guitar work seems to find its roots in the Maiden, Priest twin leads attack, and on the title track Don't Kill the Dark, Cobra Cult shows its whole arsenal by starting with the Black Sabbath originated thunder before launching back into a Rainbow esque Rock/Metal anthemic style with their hook, "Don't Kill the Dark. You need the Dark to see the Light." No, it's not Shakespeare, but for this style of music it shouldn't be. There are bands you ponder, and then there are bands you just rock out to. Cobra Cult are unabashedly the second type and that type are generally both unpretentious, and fun to listen to.

The Album Closer Her Majesty takes us out at the same speed we came in at. Cobra Cult really never slows down, there are no ballads or songs that deviate from their simple theme of having a good time. This is the type of band that slips easily into most any Rock/Metal festival, and once they make their way to America I'll be glad to know they are worth checking out live and make Cobra Cult a part of my schedule.