Hunger

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as we spin "Hunger" by King Kobra from their killer debut album Ready to Strike here at THE ZOO! This track is a raw, fist-pumping anthem, and there’s some wild trivia behind it. Did you know "Hunger" wasn’t originally penned by King Kobra? It was written by the Canadian metal band Kick Axe, who recorded it under the alias Spectre General for The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack in 1986. King Kobra’s version, released in 1985, has that gritty edge with Mark Free’s iconic growl, especially in the opening riffs, which fans on Reddit still rave about. The song’s lyrics, all about chasing what you want no matter the cost, hit hard with that rebellious ‘80s spirit, though some fans on SonicHits call it “foolish teen rebelliousness” with a smirk. The restored 1985 music video for "Hunger," shared by BraveWords in 2025, shows off the band’s big hair and leather, perfectly capturing the hair metal vibe. Fans on Reddit also love comparing King Kobra’s take to Kick Axe’s, noting how Mark Free’s vocals give it a unique fire.

King Kobra’s journey kicked off with a bang, thanks to legendary drummer Carmine Appice, who founded the band after tearing up the stage with Ozzy Osbourne on the Bark at the Moon tour. Carmine, a rock veteran from bands like Vanilla Fudge and Cactus, wanted to create something fresh in the mid-‘80s hair metal scene. He rounded up a crew of relatively unknown but crazy-talented musicians: vocalist Mark Free (now Marcie Free), guitarists David Michael-Philips and Mick Sweda, and bassist Johnny Rod. According to their bio on Wikipedia, this lineup dropped Ready to Strike on November 9, 1985, through Capitol Records, and it became a cult classic. The album’s raw energy and shredding guitars, praised on Amazon reviews, showed off their knack for melody and power. Though the band hit a rough patch after their second album, Thrill of a Lifetime, Carmine kept the Kobra spirit alive, reforming in 2010 with vocalist Paul Shortino and releasing new music, including their 2023 album We Are Warriors.

Zoo Freaks, you can dive deeper into King Kobra’s world through their official channels. Check out their website at kingkobraofficial.com for the latest news and tour updates. They’re active on Facebook, sharing throwback pics and new releases, and you can catch their killer performance shots on Instagram. Over on X, they drop updates and interact with fans. For those craving more, join the King Kobra Fans Facebook group, where diehards swap stories and rare merch. There’s also a fan-run site, Metal Archives, packed with detailed discographies and band history. So, keep rocking with THE ZOO, and let’s keep the "Hunger" alive!