Night Cobra, a rising metal band from Houston, Texas, features Christian Larson (vocals), Brandon Barger (guitar), Bill Fool (guitar), Trevi Biles (bass), and Cheech (drums). Reflecting on the band's beginnings, Christian shares, “We spent the last couple of years perfecting our sound before playing live or releasing any music.” Their debut EP, Praise of the Shadow, was self-released and sold out quickly on both cassette and vinyl. This early success led to a deal with High Roller Records, culminating in the release of their full-length album, Dawn of the Serpent.
None of the EP tracks appear on the album, as Christian explains, "We felt our songwriting had progressed, and with everything available digitally, we didn’t see the need to revisit older material." The new album offers nine fresh tracks that blend heavy metal with influences from punk, darkwave, and thrash. "It’s not your basic metal record," says Christian, citing standout tracks like “The Serpent’s Kiss,” “In Mortal Danger,” and “Run the Blade,” which was inspired by Blade Runner.
Though rooted in Houston’s rich metal scene, Night Cobra draws heavily from European influences, including bands like Angel Witch, Mercyful Fate, and Iron Maiden. Christian notes, "We’ve definitely been shaped by European bands, and you can hear it in our sound." As the band prepares for their first post-Covid show with Houston legends Helstar, they continue to carve their own path in the metal world.
