In this exclusive interview for Rock Overdose, we had the pleasure of talking with Sonia Anubis, the charismatic guitarist and founder of Cobra Spell. With her band currently gaining serious momentum, Sonia opened up about their new EP “Anthems of the Venomous Hearts”, their upcoming album, her personal journey in music, and their highly anticipated appearance at Rock Hard Festival Greece – which also marks her first-ever visit to the country.
Rock Overdose: Sonia, welcome to Rock Overdose and thank you for being here with us! Let’s start with your latest release Anthems of the Venomous Hearts. Are you fully satisfied with the result? How’s the overall vibe so far?
Sonia: Absolutely! Especially because we've been playing these songs live for a long time already. Having them now recorded with Christina on vocals feels great. These songs were initially recorded with our previous singer, and having Christina’s voice on them really brings a whole new dimension. She's an incredible vocalist, and it's exciting for both us and our fans to experience the older material through her voice.
Rock Overdose: Cobra Spell seem to have a preference for EPs. Do you see them as a step towards full albums?
Sonia: Actually, we’ve already released a full album – 666 – and we’re preparing our second one for release next year. It’s already finished, and I’ll be entering the studio very soon to record it.
Rock Overdose: What can you tell us about the sound and style of the upcoming album?
Sonia: It's a mix of all the musical styles I love – especially the 80s sound – but this time, there will be Doom influences, which I’ve never explored before. There's also AOR and some more modern touches. But overall, the 80s feeling remains strong. It's a unique blend of Heavy, Glam, AOR, and Doom – which may sound like an odd mix, but it makes sense when you hear it.
Rock Overdose: Cobra Spell feels like the band where your personal vision is fully expressed. Was that the initial goal?
Sonia: Totally. I started Cobra Spell around five years ago as a side project where I could freely write music. I was part of Krypta and Burning Witches at the time, but in Burning Witches I wasn’t allowed to write music. Cobra Spell became my creative outlet – it wasn’t meant to be serious in the beginning. That’s why I chose an international lineup and released EPs on my own. Albums are expensive, and back then I couldn’t afford it. But once I saw how much fans loved it and labels started showing interest, I decided to take it more seriously.
Rock Overdose: And now you’re visiting Greece for the first time, to perform at Rock Hard Festival! How do you feel about that?
Sonia: I’ve never been to Greece before – not even for tourism – so I’m super excited. I might try to stay a few extra days after the show to explore a bit. I’ve heard great things about the food and culture. It’s also such an honor to share the stage with bands like Candlemass. I’ve been listening to them for years, so it’s going to be a very special moment for me.
Rock Overdose: Let’s talk about your journey in music. You started with bass, right?
Sonia: Yes! I started with bass about 12 years ago, totally inspired by KISS – they're my favorite band. Watching Gene Simmons perform in those wild live videos from the ‘70s made me want to pick up a bass. A couple of years later, I started learning guitar, and now I’ve been playing bass for 12 years and guitar for 10.
Rock Overdose: Who are your favorite guitarists?
Sonia: It’s hard to pick one, but I'd say Marty Friedman, Tony MacAlpine, Steve Vai, and Eddie Van Halen are my biggest inspirations right now.
Rock Overdose: Do you know any Greek guitarists?
Sonia: Yes, I know Gus G – he’s incredible – and Helena Kotina from Nervosa, who’s also a friend of mine and an amazing guitarist. I’ve known her from the very beginning and I’m super proud of her.
Rock Overdose: What advice would you give to young people – especially girls – trying to get into rock and metal?
Sonia: Follow your heart and don’t worry about what others think. Enjoy playing, enjoy practicing, and stay in the moment. Social media can be tough – people may criticize or judge – but if you love what you do, keep going. It’s easy to forget the dream when faced with negativity, but always remember why you started.
Rock Overdose: Any final message for our readers?
Sonia: Just that I’m really excited about the new Cobra Spell album – it’s finished composition-wise and will be recorded very soon. Also, I finally moved into my own place and set up my home studio, which feels amazing! I can finally keep all my guitars in one place – I think I have nine or ten now, most of them Warriors – and I can grab any one of them and play at any time. That’s a big moment for me.
Rock Overdose: Sonia, thank you so much for your time! We’re really looking forward to seeing you live in Athens!
Sonia: Thank you so much for the lovely interview. See you all very soon!
On behalf of RockOverdose,
Zisis Petkanas
Interview Questions: Aggelos Katsouras
ROCKHARD FESTIVAL - GREECE
12-13 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2025
ΤΕΧΝΟΠΟΛΗ Δ. ΑΘΗΝΑΙΩΝ
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