Gold Cobra

2011 studio album by Limp Bizkit

Gold Cobra

Deluxe edition cover art. Original release has a silver logo.

Studio album by

Limp Bizkit

Released| June 28, 2011 (2011-06-28)
Recorded| August 2009 – March 2011
Genre|

* Nu metal
* rap rock[1]

Length| 49:37
Label|

* Flip
* Interscope

Producer| Fred Durst
Limp Bizkit chronology
| Collected
(2008)  | Gold Cobra
(2011)  | Icon
(2011)

|
|

Limp Bizkit studio album chronology
| Results May Vary
(2003)  | Gold Cobra
(2011)  | Still Sucks
(2021)

|
|

Singles from  Gold Cobra

1. "Shotgun"
Released: May 17, 2011
2. "Gold Cobra"
Released: June 28, 2011

Gold Cobra is the fifth studio album by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit. Released in 2011 by Flip and Interscope Records, it is the band's first studio album since 2003's Results May Vary and its first with the full original lineup since 2000's Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. Gold Cobra features an eclectic and diverse sound, but is also similar in style to the band's earlier albums. The album, which featured the single "Shotgun" and received mixed reviews, sold 27,000 copies during its first week in the United States and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200.[2][3] This was their last album for a decade, until the band released Still Sucks in 2021.

## Background

[edit]

In 2004, Limp Bizkit recorded The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1), with returning member Wes Borland, but John Otto was replaced by Sammy Siegler for much of the album.[4] Following the release of the band's Greatest Hitz album, the band went on hiatus.[5][6] Borland stated that it was unlikely that a sequel to The Unquestionable Truth would be produced and that "As of right now, none of my future plans include Limp Bizkit."[5] In 2009, Limp Bizkit reunited with Borland on guitar and launched the Unicorns N' Rainbows Tour.[7]

During the tour Durst announced that they had begun to record a new album with Borland, titled Gold Cobra.[8][9] Borland said that the title does not have any meaning, and that it was chosen because it fit the style of music the band was writing for the album.[9] The band recorded a spoken intro written by Durst and performed by Kiss member Gene Simmons for the album, but it was left off the completed album.[10][11] The band also recorded additional "non-album" tracks, including "Combat Jazz", which featured rapper Raekwon.[11]

## Music and lyrics

[edit]

The music of Gold Cobra was generally described as nu metal,[12][13][14] and has been noted as a return to the established sound of Limp Bizkit's earlier albums.[15][16] However, the album features noticeable variations from the band's established style for a more eclectic sound.[17] Unlike Significant Other, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water and Results May Vary, Gold Cobra does not feature any guest vocalists, except for two of the bonus tracks, and the album's sound predominately focuses on the guitar work of Wes Borland rather than that of turntablist and sound designer DJ Lethal.[16] Sam Rivers' bass playing incorporates elements of jazz and funk,[18] while Borland's guitar playing incorporates a variety of influences, ranging from heavy metal and hard rock to electronic music[17] and DJ Lethal's keyboards and samples give the album a sound that is both melodic and abrasive.[17] The intro, "Introbra", features distorted air raid sirens, and is much darker in tone than the hip hop-influenced intros on Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.[19] Interludes on the album incorporate elements of hip hop and jazz.[14][19]

"Shotgun" (sample)

"Shotgun", from Limp Bizkit's album Gold Cobra, highlights Borland's unique playing style in this solo.

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Bring It Back" differs from Limp Bizkit's established sound by being slower and heavier than the band is generally known for.[19] "Shark Attack" is an uptempo track which features references to earlier songs, such as the lyric "another one of those days", which refers to the lyrics of "Break Stuff".[19] "Walking Away", "Loser" and the album's first single, "Shotgun", are noted for featuring guitar solos by Borland, something that Limp Bizkit is not known for.[19] "Shotgun", influenced by heavy metal music, has been described as an anthem by Artistdirect.[20] "Walking Away" is a serene, ambient ballad with introspective lyrics which does not contain any hip hop influence or rapping, in contrast to the sound the band is generally known for, and builds with dramatic solos.[12][16][19] "Loser" combines the softer sound of "Walking Away" with rapped verses,[12][19] and is followed by a heavier track, "Autotunage", featuring Durst singing in autotune,[15][19] and "90.2.10", which incorporates a thrash influence.[19]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsAggregate scores

Source| Rating
Metacritic| 53/100[21]
Review scores
Source| Rating
AllMusic| [15]
About.com| [17]
Artistdirect| [18]
Billboard| [22]
Consequence of Sound| [12]
Entertainment Weekly| C−[9]
IGN| 7.0/10[16]
Kerrang| [23]
NME| 1/10[24]
PopMatters| 8/10[13]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 53, indicating "mixed or average reviews", based on 11 reviews.[21] Artistdirect reviewer Rick Florino gave the album 5 out of 5 stars, writing "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".[18] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album a positive review, calling it "a return to the full-throttled attack of Three Dollar Bill Y'All".[15] Metal Hammer writer Terry Bezer wrote, "Aside from the odd duff moment, Gold Cobra throws out the hot shit that’ll make you bounce in the mosh pit over and over again."[19]

David Buchanan, of Consequence of Sound, called Gold Cobra "an entertaining, boastful, non-alienating piece of nostalgic bliss for those who once held memberships with the LB".[12] In a similar context, Bloody Disgusting writer Jonathan Barkan gave the album a positive review, stating "The album, on a whole, sounds fantastic. [...] It's not Paganini or Opeth or Dream Theater. It's rap rock and it does exactly what it sets out to do."[1] IGN writer Chad Grischow wrote, "Though far from their best work, Limp Bizkit's latest at least proves that their 2005 Greatest Hitz album may have been premature."[16] About.com writer Tim Grierson called Gold Cobra "the group’s strongest since Significant Other".[17]

Entertainment Weekly reviewer Kyle Anderson called the album an "oft-delayed, petulant, and hook-devoid 'comeback' from the onetime champions of early-aughts nü-metal mania. Antiquiet published a negative review which described the album as "music for the sneering scumbags who find kinship in the dregs of cultural rot".[25] The website initially gave the album 1 out of 5 stars.[26] Wes Borland responded to the review, stating "The hatred you have for Fred is part of the reason we've succeeded. [...] No matter what effect he has on people in a ‘TMZ Personality’ kind of way, he is an astonishing front man and performer. I could see 1 out of 5 if you were expecting OK Computer [...] As far as LB records go, Gold Cobra is perfect."[27]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

Gold Cobra charted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 charts with 27,000 copies sold in the first week in the United States. The album charted on Billboard Albums for the No. 3 Rock Album, No. 11 Digital Album, No. 2 Alternative Album, No. 1 Hard Rock Album and No. 21 Tastemakers Album.[28] In its second week of release overseas Gold Cobra was No. 7 on the Swiss Album Charts, No. 8 on the Austrian Album Charts, No. 24 on the Canadian Albums Chart[29] and No. 1 on the German Albums Chart.

## Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Fred Durst; all music is composed by Limp Bizkit (Durst, Wes Borland, Sam Rivers, John Otto and DJ Lethal).

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"| 4:32
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:| 49:37

Deluxe versionNo.| Title| Music| Length

|
|
|

14.| "Back Porch"| Durst, Boney B.eats| 3:22
15.| "My Own Cobain"|  | 3:40
16.| "Angels"|  | 3:20
Total length:| 59:57

European iTunes Deluxe versionNo.| Title| Length

|
|

17.| "Los Angeles"| 2:53
Total length:| 62:50

HMV/Best Buy Deluxe versionNo.| Title| Lyrics| Music| Length

|
|
|
|

17.| "Middle Finger" (featuring Paul Wall)| Wall, Durst| Mathematics| 4:27
Total length:| 64:24

Japanese Deluxe versionNo.| Title| Music| Length

|
|
|

17.| "Combat Jazz" (featuring Raekwon)| Mathematics| 2:37
Total length:| 62:34

## Personnel

[edit]

Limp Bizkit

* Wes Borland – guitars
* Fred Durst – vocals, guitars on "Shotgun"
* DJ Lethal – turntables, keyboards, samples, programming
* John Otto – drums
* Sam Rivers – bass

Production

* Cory Durst – photography
* Cliff Feiman – production supervisor
* Dave Schiffman – mixing, recording
* Liam Ward – layout
* Howie Weinberg – mastering
* Boney B.eats – additional production on "Back Porch"
* Hayes – additional production on "Shotgun"
* Wes Borland – cover art design, art direction, illustration
* Fred Durst – producer, art direction

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Chart (2011)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums Chart[29] | 12
Austrian Album Chart[29] | 2
Canadian Albums Chart[29] | 13
Italy[30] | 58
German Albums Chart[31] | 1
Polish Albums Chart[32] | 24
Russian Albums Chart[33] | 3
U.S. Billboard 200[28] | 16
U.S. Billboard Digital Albums[28] | 11
U.S. Billboard Rock Albums[28] | 3
U.S. Billboard Alternative Albums[28] | 2
U.S. Billboard Hard Rock Albums[28] | 1
U.S. Billboard Tastemaker Albums[28] | 21

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Chart (2011)  | Position

|

Austrian Albums Chart[34] | 57
German Albums Chart[35] | 66
Russian Albums Chart[36] | 45

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Germany (BVMI)[37] | Gold  | 100,000‡
Russia (NFPF)[33] | Gold  | 5,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format  | Label

|
|
|

Europe  | June 24, 2011  |

* CD
* digital download

| Interscope
United States  | June 28, 2011
Japan  | June 29, 2011
Brazil  | July 19, 2011  | Universal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Barkan, Jonathan (June 27, 2011). "Album Review: Limp Bizkit 'Gold Cobra'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
2. ^ "Beyonce Debuts At #1 With 4". MTV. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
3. ^ "LIMP BIZKIT's 'Gold Cobra' Cracks U.S. Top 20". Blabbermouth.net. July 6, 2011.
4. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (August 16, 2004). "Wes Borland Back With Limp Bizkit". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
5. ^ a b Harris, Chris (March 17, 2006). "Bye Bye Bizkit? Wes Borland Says Limp Are Pretty Much Done". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
6. ^ Moss, Corey (November 3, 2005). "Fred Durst Says Limp Bizkit Are About To Bring On The Gravy – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on February 9, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
7. ^ Artist Direct Staff (April 24, 2009). "Limp Bizkit Launches 'Unicorns N' Rainbows' Tour". Artist Direct. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
8. ^ Simon (November 30, 2009). "World exclusive! Limp Bizkit name new album". Kerrang.com. Bauer Performance. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
9. ^ a b c Collis, Clark (May 5, 2010). "Limp Bizkit on their reunion album-and who exactly was to blame for their break up in the first place". Entertainment Weekly Music Mix. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
10. ^ Contactmusic Staff (November 25, 2010). "Limp Bizkit – Durst Treats Fans To Sneak Peek Of New Record". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
11. ^ a b NME Staff (November 25, 2010). "Fred Durst previews new Limp Bizkit songs online". NME. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
12. ^ a b c d e Buchanan, David (June 24, 2011). "Album Review: Limp Bizkit – Gold Cobra". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
13. ^ a b Langhoff, Josh. "Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
14. ^ a b Lewis, Faye. "Limp Bizkit – Gold Cobra | Reviews |". Rock Sound. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
15. ^ a b c d Erlewine, Stephen (June 29, 2011). "Album Review: Limp Bizkit – Gold Cobra". AllMusic. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
16. ^ a b c d e Grischow, Chad (June 27, 2011). "Original line-up yields mostly good results on latest". IGN. Archived from the original on December 22, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
17. ^ a b c d e Grierson, Tim (June 28, 2011). "Limp Bizkit – Gold Cobra Review". About.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
18. ^ a b c Florino, Rick (June 17, 2011). "Limp Bizkit — "Gold Cobra" Album Review 5 out of 5 stars". Artistdirect. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bezer, Terry (July 6, 2011). "Gold Cobra review". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
20. ^ "Limp Bizkit — "Shotgun" Review 4.5 out of 5 stars". Artistdirect. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
21. ^ a b "Gold Cobra at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
22. ^ Staff, Billboard (July 20, 2011). "Limp Bizkit, "Gold Cobra"". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
23. ^ The overall impression is that the Bizkit remain as annoying, entertaining and incorrigibly obnoxious as they ever were. [25 Jun 2011, p.50]
24. ^ Martin, Dan (June 21, 2011). "NME Reviews – Album Review: Limp Bizkit – 'Gold Cobra'". NME. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
25. ^ Firecloud, Johnny (June 20, 2011). "Blowin' up the septic tank, y'all!". antiquiet. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
26. ^ Firecloud, Johnny (June 21, 2011). "Gold Cobra rebuttal: Wes Borland Vs. antiquiet". antiquiet. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
27. ^ Shaw, Zack (June 23, 2011). "Wes Borland Proves He Still Loves Fred Durst, Responds To Negative Album Review". Metal Insider. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
28. ^ a b c d e f g "Limp Bizkit – Charts & Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
29. ^ a b c d "LIMP BIZKIT's 'Gold Cobra' Cracks U.S. Top 20". BlabberMouth. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011.
30. ^ "Classifica italiana FIMI del 27 giugno 2011". Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
31. ^ "Charts.de: Album: Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra". Media Control. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
32. ^ "OLiS: sales for the period 04.07.2011 – 10.07.2011". OLiS.
33. ^ a b "Что слушали россияне в 2011 году" (in Russian). Lenta. March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
34. ^ "Album Jahrescharts 2011" (in German). MTV. December 31, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
35. ^ "Album Jahrescharts 2011" (in German). MTV. December 31, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
36. ^ "Album Jahrescharts 2011" (PDF) (in Russian). Lenta. December 31, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
37. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Limp Bizkit; 'Gold Cobra')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 7, 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Limp Bizkit

* Fred Durst
* John Otto
* Wes Borland
* DJ Lethal
* Sam Rivers

* Rob Waters
* Terry Balsamo
* Mike Smith

Studio albums|

* Three Dollar Bill, Y'all
* Significant Other
* Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water
* Results May Vary
* Gold Cobra
* Still Sucks

Remix albums|

* New Old Songs

Compilations|

* Greatest Hitz
* Collected
* Icon

Live albums|

* Rock im Park 2001

EPs|

* The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)

Singles|

* "Counterfeit"
* "Nookie"
* "Re-Arranged"
* "N 2 Gether Now"
* "Break Stuff"
* "Take a Look Around"
* "My Generation"
* "Rollin'"
* "My Way"
* "Boiler"
* "Eat You Alive"
* "Behind Blue Eyes"
* "Home Sweet Home/Bittersweet Symphony"
* "Shotgun"
* "Ready to Go"
* "Endless Slaughter"

Promotional singles|

* "Faith"
* "Crack Addict"
* "Thieves"

Video albums|

* Greatest Videoz
* Rock im Park 2001

Tours|

* Warped Tour 1997
* Ozzfest 1998
* Family Values Tour
* Anger Management Tour
* Unicorns N' Rainbows Tour
* Gold Cobra Tour

Related articles|

* Discography
* Big Dumb Face
* Black Light Burns
* La Coka Nostra
* House of Pain
* The Damning Well
* Queen Kwong

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template