G.I. Joe’s Fictional Metal Band COLD SLITHER Brought to Life with Debut Album, Live Show & Action Figures

Nearly four decades after first appearing in a 1985 episode of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, fictional metal band Cold Slither are stepping into the real world. Originally portrayed as a brainwashing hard rock group created by the mercenary Zartan and his gang of Dreadnoks, Cold Slither’s animated debut saw them using subliminal messages—planted by Cobra Commander—to manipulate American youth through heavy music. The episode echoed real-life controversies of the mid-80s, when artists like Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest were accused of hiding subliminal messages in their songs.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of their animated origins, Hasbro is unleashing a real-world version of Cold Slither. The band will release their self-titled debut album via Reigning Phoenix Music on July 25th, featuring 11 tracks that blend updated classics with brand-new material. Among the songs are a revamped take on their original theme, the high-octane “Knock ‘Em Dread”, and the freshly premiered “Thunder Machine”, an homage to the Dreadnok vehicle driven by Thrasher. The video for the latter was directed by Costin Chioreanu.

Cold Slither will make their live debut at Brick By Brick in San Diego, CA on July 24th, the night before the album drops. The band’s real-life lineup includes:

• Gus Ríos (Gruesome, ex-Malevolent Creation) as Zartan on vocals and bass
• Ross Sewage (Exhumed, Ghoul) as Torch on guitar
• Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) as Ripper on guitar
• Andy Selway (KMFDM) as Buzzer on drums

Cold Slither Track Listing:
01 – “Welcome To The Swamp (Intro)”
02 – “Cold Slither”
03 – “Knock ‘Em Dread”
04 – “Thunder Machine”
05 – “Zartan’s Revenge”
06 – “Snakes On The Bayou”
07 – “Torched”
08 – “Under The Dreadnok’s Spell”
09 – “Master Of Disguise”
10 – “The Ballad Of Buzzer”
11 – “These Fluffies Are Fatal”

To top it off, a G.I. Joe Classified Series action figure set featuring the band’s original animated look will debut exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, with a limited online release to follow.

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