Cobra - First Strike 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Dutch (Netherlands) Release

Front cover of Cobra's 1983 album First Strike featuring the five band members standing closely together against a white background with COBRA in red letters above and FIRST STRIKE in metallic gray at the bottom.

Cobra's First Strike (1983) is the only album by the Swiss-American hard rock band formed in Memphis by Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer, who briefly played with Krokus in 1981 before joining Asia and later Gotthard. The album features powerful vocals by Jimi Jamison and delivers a polished blend of American AOR and European hard rock. Produced by Tom Allom and recorded in Miami, First Strike stands as a cult favorite, showcasing strong songwriting, melodic guitar work, and a unique international lineup that left its mark on 1980s rock.

Cobra's "First Strike" (1983): AOR/Hard Rock from an International Collective
Album Description:

In the early 1980s, when the hard rock and AOR scenes were thriving, Cobra, an international group formed in Memphis, Tennessee, released their debut album, "First Strike." This 1983 album showcased the band's unique blend of American and European rock influences, thanks to their diverse lineup. Notably, it marked Jimi Jamison's first appearance on a full-length album before his fame with Survivor.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

The early 1980s saw a global boom in hard rock and AOR, with bands like Journey, Foreigner, and Van Halen dominating the charts. Cobra, with their mix of American and European members, brought a unique flavor to this genre. Their sound blended catchy melodies, powerful vocals, and driving guitar riffs, creating a sound that was both commercially appealing and musically satisfying.

Music Genre and Controversies

"First Strike" is firmly rooted in the AOR and hard rock genres, with anthemic choruses, polished production, and soaring vocals. The album's diverse influences, including classic rock, blues, and even a touch of southern rock, resulted in a sound that was both familiar and fresh.

The album was generally well-received, with critics praising its songwriting, musicianship, and Jamison's powerful vocals. However, some fans of Jamison's later work with Survivor found the album's AOR leanings to be too commercial and formulaic.

Production Team and Recording Studio

"First Strike" was produced by Tom Allom, a renowned producer who had previously worked with Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and Def Leppard. Allom's expertise in crafting a polished, radio-friendly sound proved invaluable in shaping the album's sonic landscape.

The album was recorded at various studios, including Memphis' Ardent Studios and Battery Studios in London. These state-of-the-art facilities, equipped with top-notch recording technology, contributed to the album's professional and refined sound.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Hard Rock, Prog Rock

Label & Catalognr:

EPIC EPC 25536, BFE 38790

Album Packaging

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by Cobra.

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 200 gram

Year & Country:

1983 – Made in Holland

Producers:
  • Tom Allom – Producer
  • Tom Allom – Producer, Sound Engineer

    He made amps behave and drums punch without turning the mix into oatmeal.

    Tom Allom, the kind of producer-engineer who could make a Marshall stack behave, is one of those names you only notice after the speakers stop smoking. I clock him first as a toningenieur on Black Sabbath's early run (1970-1973), then as a producer for Strawbs (1973-1975) before he helped shape the NWOBHM steelwork with Judas Priest (1979-1988: "British Steel", "Screaming for Vengeance", "Defenders of the Faith" through "Ram It Down"). He also put his stamp on Def Leppard's "On Through the Night" (1980) and Krokus' "Headhunter" (1983), and he even returned to Priest later (2009, 2018). When he nails it, the kick drum punches, guitars slice, and the chorus arrives like a door being kicked in.

    Tom Allom Wiki

Direction: Butch Stone

Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Tom Allom – Sound Engineer
  • Jack Holder – Sound Engineer
  • Kevin Ryan – Sound Engineer
Recording Location:

D.B. Studios – Miami, Florida (February–March 1983)

Mixing Studio & Location:

Bay Shore One Point Five – Miami, Florida (April 1983)

Mastering Engineer & Location:
  • George Marino – Mastering at Sterling Sound, NYC
  • George Marino – Mastering Engineer

    When my site brain goes full 1980s metal mode, his name keeps showing up like a hidden signature in the dead wax.

    George Marino is one of those behind-the-glass legends who made heavy music feel larger than the room it was playing in. Before the mastering console became his throne, he was a Bronx guitarist doing the NYC band grind in the 1960s with groups like The Chancellors and The New Sounds Ltd. Then he went pro for real: starting at Capitol Studios in New York (1967), and eventually becoming a long-running force at Sterling Sound (from 1973 onward). For a collector like me—living in that sweet spot where 1980s heavy metal, hard rock, and a dash of prog-minded ambition collide—Marino’s credits read like a stack of essential sleeves: Holy Diver (Dio), Tooth and Nail (Dokken), Stay Hard (Raven), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden), Among the Living (Anthrax), Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses), Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi), and Blow Up Your Video (AC/DC). That’s the kind of resume that doesn’t just “master” records—it weaponizes them, but with taste. George Marino Wiki

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Jimi Jamison – Lead Vocals
  • Mandy Meyer – Guitar
  • Jack Holder – Guitar

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Blood On Your Money
  2. Only You Can Rock Me
  3. Travelin' Man
  4. I've Been A Fool Before
  5. First Strike
Video: Cobra - Blood On Your Money (Official Video) (1983) From The Album First Strike
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Danger Zone
  2. Looking At You
  3. Fallen Angel
  4. What Love Is
  5. Thorn in Your Flesh
Video: Cobra - Danger Zone

Cobra First Strike Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Cobra's 1983 album First Strike featuring the five band members standing closely together against a white background with COBRA in red letters above and FIRST STRIKE in metallic gray at the bottom.

Front cover of Cobra's 1983 album "First Strike". This high-resolution image features the five band members in a tightly framed portrait set against a plain white background. The band name COBRA is boldly printed in large red capital letters at the top, each letter outlined with a subtle gray drop shadow that gives a three-dimensional effect.

Positioned just below the center are the band members, all looking directly at the camera with confident, intense expressions. Starting from the left: the first member wears a red sleeveless shirt with a leather vest and has long, dark hair with lighter streaks. Next to him, another member has shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a black pinstripe shirt and partially shadowed, creating a mysterious effect.

At the center, the frontman wears a black leather jacket over a white collared shirt. His hairstyle is voluminous, and his piercing blue eyes stand out, likely drawing immediate attention. To his right stands a member with straight dark hair and a deep V-neck shirt, and the fifth member on the far right wears a vibrant blue shirt under a black jacket with tousled hair and a confident smirk.

The album title "FIRST STRIKE" is displayed in bold, metallic gray letters at the bottom of the cover, with a sharp-edged, stylized font that evokes strength and precision, reinforcing the hard rock identity of the band. The overall aesthetic is clean yet powerful, characteristic of early 1980s rock photography and design.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Cobra's 1983 album First Strike featuring the band standing outdoors in front of a blue sky, with track listings and production credits on the upper left section of the image.

Back cover of Cobra's 1983 album "First Strike". This vibrant full-color photograph captures the five band members standing outdoors on a rooftop terrace paved with red brick. Behind them is a clear blue sky and stone balustrades, giving the scene a relaxed, open-air atmosphere.

The band members are casually grouped, laughing and smiling in a candid, energetic moment. From left to right: the first member stands with arms crossed, wearing shiny black leather pants, a black pinstriped shirt with sleeves rolled up, and white shoes. The second member sports long hair, a red shirt, and black leather pants with hands casually resting on a belt buckle.

At center, the third member wears a black button-up shirt and leans forward with a big smile, while the fourth member in a loose-fitting, blue-striped shirt with black pants and white shoes looks off to the right with a relaxed stance. The final member, on the far right, wears black pants, black boots, a red shirt under a leather jacket, and rests one hand on his hip with a confident smile.

The upper left portion of the image features black text with the album's full track listing, split into Side One and Side Two, along with production credits including producer Tom Allom, engineer names, mastering by George Marino, and the recording location. The Epic Records logo, catalog numbers, and legal imprint details are printed on the upper right.

Photo One of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
Close-up of Side One label of Cobra's First Strike vinyl record, showing the Epic logo, track list, and catalog details including EPC 25536 and AL 38790, pressed in Holland.

Close-up of the Side One label from Cobra's 1983 album "First Strike". This detailed photo shows the center label of the vinyl LP, pressed by Epic Records. The label is a dark gray with silver text and features the iconic Epic logo prominently at the top, rendered in a large, script-style typeface with a swooping underline.

Beneath the logo, the album title FIRST STRIKE and band name COBRA appear in bold capital letters. To the right of the spindle hole, the speed is indicated as 33⅓ RPM, and below that are the catalog numbers: EPC 25536 and (BFE 38790). Also noted are the rights societies BIEM/STEMRA and manufacturing information showing the record was Made in Holland.

The track listing for Side One is printed in full, with song durations and songwriting credits. Tracks include: Blood On Your Money, Only You Can Rock Me, Travelin’ Man, I’ve Been A Fool Before, and First Strike. The text is cleanly printed in silver and circles the label's outer edge along with copyright notices from 1983 CBS Inc.

The label's classic design and sharp typography reflect the production quality of Epic Records and provide collectors and listeners with essential information at a glance.