Kobra Paige

Kobra And The Lotus

Canada has become a force to reckon with when it comes to metal! Bands like ANNIHILATOR, THE AGONIST and RUSH, have all gained great success all over the world, and lately, we have seen great traction from KOBRA AND THE LOTUS.
Since its formation in 2009, has released 4 studio albums and a 5^th one already wrapped up and on its way to an ear near you.
Released via Austria's Napalm Records, "Prevail I" is part of a double album release, with "Prevail II" planned for later in 2017. An exciting concept, the 10 tracks of "Prevail I" prove that the band have not been idle in the three years since the release of 2014's "High Priestess".

Here to talk more about the creative process behind this two disc behemoth, is Kobra Paige.

By Anamaria Carla Ionita and Jussi Gough

• May 23, 2017

Kobra Paige (Kobra And The Lotus) interview

Hi there, thanks a lot for taking the time to talk to us.

My pleasure. Thanks for having me!

2017 is an ambitious year for Kobra and The Lotus, why and how did you decide you will release not one, but two albums this year?

It's ridiculous really. It began as a throw away comment from my father and turned into a real thing!! Once the concept of a double album got under my skin, I couldn't let it go. I told the guys that was what we were going to do and everyone jumped bravely on board. It was difficult and terrifying but everyone rose to the challenge. What better way to make a statement about prevailing on then to drive it home through a double record!

How long did it take to record Prevail I? Did you encounter any challenges with this or was it a smooth sailing effort?

It was an immensely challenging experience but it pushed and pulled the best out of us. It took about a solid month for us to write enough material to pick from for both albums and most of that was organically created in Denmark within the studio.

Tell us more about the song "Manifest Destiny"? Is it a pathway to human inner change or something else like the saying goes your thoughts create their surroundings?

Absolutely. Self-fulfilling prophecies. Our whole world changes relative to the perspective we choose to take. We can't control everything that happens in life but we can choose how we view it through our eyes and what we use our energy for. We are alive, for whatever reason, so use the time wisely and manifest your destiny.

Prevail I is a story of 'visceral truth', as you once said, what about Prevail II? What should we expect?

It falls in line with 'Prevail I' in that it still is expressing an authentic expression of emotion and human experience. The material is completely different but the underlying theme stay consistent.

Not to give anything away, Prevail I has some sort of innocence to it, will the story develop and have a more 'mature' view of the world?

Very interesting! For me, 'Prevail' all around has a corrupted and affected view actually. It's a very "honest" expression of what I see in myself as well as everyone I know in my life, to varying degrees. It includes the hope and innocence that starts in a human and flounders to stay vibrant, along with the complexity of how our lives shape us, the good and bad.

Did the experience as a guest vocalist with Kamelot on tour shaped you in any way? Added or changed something in your vocal style?

It absolutely did. I thoroughly loved the experience and am very grateful for it because it helped me gain more confidence specifically in my femininity.

Are you open to a new collaboration with them in the future?

YES, YES, YES!! I love the band, not just musically but individually, and would be humbled to be a part of anything they are doing.

Is Prevail II in the works already, or are you waiting to finish the tour?

'Prevail II' was intended to be released at the exact same time as 'Prevail I' so it was written, recorded, mixed, and mastered all at the same time. In fact, the song order was chosen after all songs we're completed.

You've toured with many different bands, from Kiss and De Leppard, to Delain and Evergrey, it shows the bands versatility in a way; but once you are on the road, do you have any preference in genre or style? To which do you feel closest?

Every band we've toured with has been an incredible experience but the biggest thing we notice is there are certain tours where the audience jives more with us than others. Kamelot and Delain/Evergrey have been the most successful tours in terms of crowd compatibility. It's quite interesting but if I think about their musical elements it makes sense. We are all very different but at the same time all have symphonic, hard rock, and heavy metal elements.

Are there any bands that are on your whish list to tour along with?

This will surprise everyone but I want to tour with The Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold.

From the new album, are there any particular songs that you look forward to playing?

Oh man…..all of them haha!! Ah it's been very fun to play 'Hell On Earth' actually.

What kind of influences do you draw upon your songwriting? Just life generalities or other thought provoking creations?

Lyrically on this album it was largely based off personal experiences. Musically, it's incredibly diverse encompassing many metal, rock, pop, and even folk genres.

Can you share some secrets with us from Prevail II?

There will be an acoustic song and it will be beautiful =-)

Thanks a lot for talking to us, wish you all the best on tour and looking forward for the next chapter.

Thanks a mill guys!!! Hope to see you soon!

Catch Kobra And The Lotus on tour now with Xandria and Once Human:

May 16 - Joliet, IL @ The Forge Club
May 18 - Denver, CO @ Moon Room
May 19 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
May 20 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Bar
May 22 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
May 23 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
May 24 - San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
May 26 - Las Vegas, NV @ Adrenaline Sports Lounge
May 27 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
May 29 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater
May 30 - Mesa, AZ @ Club Red-Mesa

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