Gold Cobra

Untitled

Gold Cobra is the sixth studio album by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit, released on June 24 in Germany, June 27 in the United Kingdom and June 28 in the rest of the world in 2011 by Interscope Records. It is the band's first studio album since 2005's The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1), and the first from the original lineup since 2000's Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.

Background

Following the release of 2005's The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1), the band went on hiatus as vocalist Fred Durst began directing indie movies and former guitarist Wes Borland explored other music projects. In mid-2008 rumors and a myspace post by Durst began to indicate that Limp Bizkit were planning a reunion of some form and were replacing Wes Borland with Evanescence and Cold guitarist Terry Balsamo. On February 12, 2009, the band officially announced in a press release that they reunited for a world tour, some festivals, and a sixth studio album. The press release also announced that Wes Borland would be returning as the band's guitarist, dissolving the rumors of Terry Balsamo joining the band.

In the 2009 press release confirming the band's reunion, Fred Durst and Wes Borland released a joint statement:

We decided we were more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than we were with each other. Regardless of where our separate paths have taken us, we recognize there is a powerful and unique energy with this particular group of people we have not found anywhere else. This is why Limp Bizkit is back.

The return of Borland marked the return of the band's complete original line-up since 2000's Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. The band played a comeback tour, the Unicorns N' Rainbows Tour, from May 20 to August 17, 2009 to commemorate the band's reunion. During the production of the album, Borland came up with its title, Gold Cobra. Borland says that it doesn't have any meaning, and that it was chosen because it fit the style of music the band was writing for the album. On November 30, 2009, Durst announced that the album would be released on Flip/Interscope/Polydor Records with a 2010 release, though the album would later be delayed to 2011.

Recording

August 24, 2009 marked the official first day of recording new material, as well as the first time the lineup had recorded together since 2004. Less than one month later, a Twitter update by Durst informed readers of the instrumental recording completion, along with the first of two layers of vocals. In an interview with Kerrang! in December 2009, Durst stated that the album would feature 10 songs with interludes between the songs.

In a series of radio interviews Durst revealed that Borland came up with the album name Gold Cobra. Regarding the albums first single, Durst stated: "We are getting a little grief from the big wigs as to what single 'they' want out first. Obviously 'we' are pushing for Douchebag. If they choose to run with something else we will figure out a way to release it anyway."

On March 29, 2010, Durst stated that eighteen songs were recorded and currently in the process of being mixed, but noted that not all songs would make the album. The end of March saw Durst posting teasers to the songs "Shark Attack", "90 to 10", "Douchebag" and "Walking Away" via Twitter, and on April 7, Fred posted an unofficial track listing. On April 30, 2010, "Why Try" was released by Durst on the band's official website. "Walking Away" was leaked on August 8, 2010.

On January 25, 2011, Durst announced that the album was being mixed, although later on began announcing individual tracks as they were mixed, seemingly for the second time. On February 9, Durst stated via his Twitter page that the album should be ready to press at the end of February. The following day, Durst wrote on the band's website: "As we head towards the end of February the realities of having a completed album to expose are finally here. Through thick and thin, the Gold Cobra has slivered its way through the corporate jungle and into the studio to be mixed by Dave Schiffman. My intentions are to keep as much 'polish' off of this album as possible. I have had many discussions with Dave as he's been on the cobra since the beginning and knows exactly the sound I am looking for regarding the mix."

On March 14, Durst disclosed via Twitter that the mixed songs would make up the track lists for more than one album, the first of which will be Gold Cobra. That same day, it was reported on Twitter that Interscope suggested a total of eight songs for the standard edition of the album, and 11 for the deluxe. It was also confirmed on March 18 that the mixing process was completed, rendering the album ready for pressing. The official Limp Bizkit website has now stated that the release date for the album will be June 28, 2011. The band announced, after many changes, that the first single, now "Shotgun", will be coming out on May 17th for download and radio play. The band also released the single cover on May 10, 2011. On May 13, four days before the official release of "Shotgun", Fred Durst released a 30-second preview of the track. Earlier he has also stated that the Gold Cobra recording sessions gave enough music for two full albums. The remaining songs will be used to make up another album due to be released at a later date.

On June 20, 2011, Durst leaked the album online stating "I hope you are enjoying my leak. I couldn't wait any longer bitches!!" On June 28, 2011, the band released a music video for the albums title track.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
ARTISTdirect
The A.V. Club	D
BBC	(negative)
Consequence of Sound
Rock Sound	(7/10)
IGN	(7/10)
Jus Review	link

The album has been received with varied reviews ranging from positive to mixed to negative reviews. ARTISTdirect gave the album 5 out of 5 stars saying "It's a vitriolic, vicious, and vital exorcism of rage from rap metal's most successful outfit. Gold Cobra is everything that it should be. It's angry, anthemic, and aggressive, and it's a result of the band's tightest and toughest playing since Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ and concluding that "Gold Cobra is everything you hoped it would be, and rap and metal will be walking funny after it takes a bite out of both them". Allmusic gave the album a postivie review stating the album is "a return to the full-throttled attack of Three Dollar Bill Y’All ,coming to the conclusion that The Unquestionable Truth was so powerful it never needed the promised second volume."

Gold Cobra has a Metascore of 38. The BBC posted a negative review, stating that "With the exception of the always inventive playing of guitarist Wes Borland, here Limp Bizkit sound like a band whose time has passed", whilst also slamming the bonus track My Own Cobain, stating "If Kurt Cobain hadn’t killed himself, were he to listen to the song My Own Cobain, ...he would quite possibly consider ending it all".

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Fred Durst; all music is composed by Fred Durst, DJ Lethal, Wes Borland, John Otto and Sam Rivers, except "Back Porch" by Fred Durst and Boney B.eats & "Combat Jazz" by Mathematics

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Introbra"	1:20
2.	"Bring It Back"	2:17
3.	"Gold Cobra"	3:53
4.	"Shark Attack"	3:26
5.	"Get a Life"	4:54
6.	"Shotgun"	4:33
7.	"Douche Bag"	3:42
8.	"Walking Away"	4:45
9.	"Loser"	4:53
10.	"Autotunage"	5:00
11.	"90.2.10"	4:18
12.	"Why Try"	2:51
13.	"Killer in You"	3:46
Total length:		49:38

HMV/Best Buy Deluxe version

No.	Title	Length
14.	"Back Porch"	3:22
15.	"My Own Cobain"	3:40
16.	"Angels"	3:21
17.	"Middle Finger" (feat. Paul Wall)	4:27
Total length:		64:28

Japanese deluxe version

No.	Title	Length
17.	"Combat Jazz" (feat. Raekwon)	2:38

iTunes deluxe version

No.	Title	Length
17.	"Los Angeles"	2:53
Total length:		62:54

Personnel

Limp Bizkit

• Fred Durst – vocals, producer, management, art direction
• Wes Borland – guitars, cover art design, art direction, illustration
• DJ Lethal – turntables, keyboards, samples, programming
• John Otto – drums
• Sam Rivers – bass

Additional

• Todd Douglas – business affairs
• Cory Durst – photography
• Cliff Feiman – production supervisor
• Brian Frank – marketing
• Susan Hilderley – business affairs
• Alex Reese – marketing
• Dave Schiffman – mixing, recording
• Jordan Schur – management
• Liam Ward – layout
• Howie Weinberg – mastering
• Boney B.eats – additional production on "Back Porch"
• Hayes – additional production on "Shotgun"

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Europe	June 24, 2011	CD, LP, digital download	Interscope
United States	June 28, 2011
Japan	June 29, 2011