The short-lived "super-group" formed by the renowned skinsman Carmine Appice is probably one of the few that anyone would expect to resurface again in any form since disbanding late in the 80's - like who didn't? The thing with KK was that behind the bleached-blonde, pop-licks, and steamy ballads, there lurked a very talented group of musicians that too few people were aware of.

Sure, Carmine Appice's reputation preceded him at the dawn of their assembling, but who were these guys? In 1985, "Ready to Strike" would do just that and bite down hard it did. The band fit right in perfectly with the accelerating Glam-Rock scene that helped define the new generation on the upswing. But then came "Thrill of a Lifetime." A terrible mistake! A failure in every way imaginable, it was here that the group's status began to erode. I don't care what the sales figures say or whatever impact their "(Never Say Die) Iron Eagle" soundtrack song made, this album was a wrong move that immediately blocked off whatever momentum the band built with their superb breakthrough debut.

By the time Appice re-assembled and re-directed the band to make it's final run a few years later, it was too little too late. So here on this release, "The Lost Years," the story of "King Kobra" is officially uncovered. For the die-hards from a lost era, some memorable out-takes finally see the light of day. Mainly produced from the Mark Free days, or first two releases, it sounds tarnished at best, but is nice to finally hear for sentiment's sake.

Those who still remember those up-tempo rock anthems "Ready To Strike," "Hunger" and "Tough Guys" will be quick to recognize "Fool In The Rain" (not the Zeppelin song) and "Young Hearts Survive," easily the best of the bunch, and "Lonely Nights." Otherwise, the better parts of "King Kobra III," which saw the addition of the raspy Mark Edwards on vocals are filtered in the mix with "Mean Street Machine" leading the way, as well as "#1," "Red Line" and "Perfect Crime."

Though it would've been my choice to exclude "#1" and replace it with either "Take It Off" or "Burning In Her Fire," for anyone who caught the groove when this talented, but poorly misdirected '80s band first pounced on the scene, "King Kobra's" "Lost Years" will prove a worthwhile discovery.