Cobra - Warriors of the Dead nwobhm 12" Vinyl LP Album

- A NWOBHM Cult Classic Drenched in Power, Myth, and Metal Fury

large album front cover photo of: COBRA - Warriors of the Dead

Cobra came roaring out of the NWOBHM underground like a barfight in a thunderstorm—dirty, loud, and ready to knock your teeth out with sheer riff power. They didn’t chase fame; they chased the raw, primal howl of heavy metal, the kind that rumbles up from the gut and spits in the face of polished radio rock. Warriors of the Dead (1985) is their battle cry, a fistful of jagged guitar lines and howling vocals drenched in graveyard fog. They never hit the big leagues, but who cares? Cobra played metal for the diehards, the ones who live for the sweat, the volume, and the fury.

Album Description:

In the world of heavy metal history, few genres have left a mark as indelible as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Emerging in the late 1970s and reaching its zenith in the early 1980s, NWOBHM birthed a plethora of iconic bands that reshaped the landscape of rock music. Among these luminaries stands COBRA, a band that wielded its debut 12" vinyl LP album "Warriors of the Dead" as a potent weapon in the NWOBHM movement. Released in 1985, this album marked a defining moment for the band and the genre as a whole.

A Debut That Resonates with Power

"Warriors of the Dead" represented COBRA's triumphant entry onto the heavy metal scene. The album was a testament to the band's prowess in combining raw energy with musical precision. This debut release showcased COBRA's ability to craft memorable riffs, anthemic choruses, and lyrics that delved into themes of fantasy, mythology, and the supernatural—a signature characteristic of NWOBHM.

The album's recording sessions took place at Linden Sounds, where the band members poured their passion and dedication into creating a sonic experience that would resonate with metal enthusiasts. The production captured the raw intensity of COBRA's live performances, allowing listeners to feel the music's visceral impact.

Visualizing the Power: Terry Greer's Album Cover

Every great album deserves an iconic album cover, and "Warriors of the Dead" was no exception. The artwork, designed by Terry Greer, perfectly encapsulated the album's themes of adventure, battle, and the mystical. The cover featured a dynamic illustration that depicted a warrior figure clad in armor, wielding a sword, standing against a backdrop of an otherworldly landscape. This imagery instantly drew in listeners and beckoned them to explore the sonic journey within the grooves of the vinyl.

The Criminal Response: Label and Legacy

Released under the Criminal Response Records label, "Warriors of the Dead" found its way into the hands of eager fans who were hungry for new sounds and fresh energy in the heavy metal domain. The album's impact was felt far beyond its release, as it continued to inspire generations of metal musicians and enthusiasts. COBRA's debut LP contributed to the rich tapestry of NWOBHM, solidifying the band's place in the history of this influential movement.

Masters of Sound: COBRA's Lineup

Behind the sonic assault of "Warriors of the Dead" stood a group of talented musicians who infused the album with their distinctive styles and collective energy:

- Paul Edmundson (Lead Vocals): Edmundson's powerful and emotive vocals brought the lyrics to life, adding depth and emotion to the album's storytelling.

- Chris Greer (Drums): The driving force behind the band's rhythm, Chris Greer's drumming provided the backbone upon which the rest of the music was built.

- Ian Beck (Guitars, Keyboards): Beck's mastery of both guitars and keyboards added layers of complexity to COBRA's sound, contributing to the album's dynamic range.

- Shaun Parker (Bass): Parker's basslines grounded the music with a heavy, resonating groove, giving the songs a strong foundation.

- Steve Hughes (Guitars): Hughes' guitar work added the fiery, searing solos and intricate riffage that are a hallmark of classic metal.

COBRA - Warriors of the Dead 12" Vinyl LP
Front cover of Cobra's 'Warriors of the Dead' album. Features a large menacing cobra with cracked, stone-like scales, glowing red eyes, and long fangs, with metal chains in its mouth. The background depicts a dark graveyard with tombstones, a misty eerie landscape, and a twisted barren tree. The album title appears in a dripping blood-red font.
COBRA - Warriors of the Dead album front cover

Criminal Response Records CDP 2 , 1985 , Made in Gt Britain

"Warriors of the Dead" is COBRA's iconic NWOBHM debut. Released in 1985 under Criminal Response Records, the album showcases raw energy and precision. With Paul Edmundson's potent vocals, searing guitar solos, and fantasy-themed lyrics, it resonates with power. The Terry Greer-designed cover art perfectly captures its mystical essence. An enduring classic, the LP's anthems continue to echo the golden era of British heavy metal.

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal NWoBHM Music

Album Production: 

Recorded at Linden Sounds

Linden Sounds, an independent label based in Cumbria, North England, was closely linked to Linden Studio and operated under the direction of Guy Forrester. Known for its raw, unfiltered production style, the label played a crucial role in capturing the energy of underground bands, providing a platform for emerging talent in the UK’s rock and metal scene.

Album cover/sleeve design: Terry Greer

Record Label & Catalognr:

Criminal Response Records CDP 2

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone

Year & Country:

1985 Made in Gt Britain

Band Members and Musicians on: Cobra Warriors of the Dead
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Paul Edmundson - Lead Vocals
  • Chris Greer - Drums
  • Ian Beck - Guitars, Keyboards
  • Shaun Parker - Bass
  • Steve Hughes - Guitars

Complete Track Listing of: Cobra Warriors of the Dead
    Side One:
  • Warriors of the Dead
  • Cobra
  • Dying Man's Song
  • On My Knees

    Side Two:
  • Wildest Dreams
  • We Rock You
  • Stand With Me
  • China Syndrome

COBRA - Warriors of the Dead High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of COBRA - Warriors of the Dead
Front cover of Cobra's 'Warriors of the Dead' album. Features a large menacing cobra with cracked, stone-like scales, glowing red eyes, and long fangs, with metal chains in its mouth. The background depicts a dark graveyard with tombstones, a misty eerie landscape, and a twisted barren tree. The album title appears in a dripping blood-red font.

Front Cover of Cobra - Warriors of the Dead

The artwork on this album cover is striking and menacing, featuring a massive cobra with a stone-like, cracked texture covering its scales. The snake has glowing red eyes, long sharp fangs, and a menacing expression, with metal chains clenched in its mouth, as if it has broken free. The cobra’s body coils across the foreground, partially buried in the mist-covered ground.

The background presents an eerie, supernatural graveyard scene with weathered tombstones, one of which has an inscription barely visible through the mist. A twisted, barren tree with jagged black branches extends across the top of the image, adding to the ominous atmosphere. The sky is a surreal gradient of deep blues, purples, and reds, resembling a twilight or otherworldly realm.

The band's name, "Cobra," is displayed in a bold, red font at the top, featuring a cracked texture, as if the letters themselves are stone breaking apart. The album title, "Warriors of the Dead," is written in a jagged, dripping font at the bottom in a dark red and black color scheme, reminiscent of blood.

The overall theme of the cover art conveys a sense of horror, power, and mysticism, fitting for a heavy metal album.

Close up of Side One COBRA - Warriors of the Dead record's label
Close-up of Side One label of Cobra's 'Warriors of the Dead' vinyl LP. The label is beige with a bold 'Criminal Response' logo at the top. It features an illustration of a trench-coated detective with a fedora, holding a sawed-off shotgun. Tracklist includes 'Warriors of the Dead,' 'Cobra,' 'Dying Man’s Song,' and 'On My Knees.' Criminal Response Records, Ebony Music, 1985.

Side One Label of Cobra - Warriors of the Dead

This close-up image showcases the label of Side One from Cobra’s "Warriors of the Dead" vinyl LP, released in 1985 under Criminal Response Records and Ebony Music. The label has a beige background with dark brown print, giving it a vintage, classic feel.

At the top, the words "Criminal Response" are prominently curved along the label's edge in a bold, uppercase font. The centerpiece of the design is a detailed illustration of a mysterious figure wearing a fedora and a trench coat, resembling a noir-style detective or vigilante. He holds a sawed-off shotgun, gripping it firmly, reinforcing the album's gritty, rebellious aesthetic.

The label includes standard information such as "CDP 2" for catalog identification, "STEREO" format, and playback speed marked as "33 1/3 rpm." Below the illustration, the album title, "Warriors of the Dead," is prominently printed, followed by the track listing for Side One:

  • "Warriors of the Dead"
  • "Cobra"
  • "Dying Man’s Song"
  • "On My Knees"

At the bottom, copyright details indicate "© Criminal Response Records 1985" and "© Ebony Music 1985." Around the outer edge, a legal disclaimer warns against unauthorized public performance, broadcasting, or copying of the record.

The label’s aesthetic, with its crime-noir-inspired illustration and bold typography, reflects the heavy metal and rebellious themes of the album.