TOUCHED DEATH ROW NEW MINT 1986 EBONY NWOBHM

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DOMESTIC SHIPPING $ 5 PLUS $ 2 EACH ADDITIONAL DISC   . INTERNATIONAL IS $ 20 PLUS  $ 5 EACH ADDITIONAL DISC. SORRY BUT RATES WENT UP ON 5/31 I’ve always thought Touched sounds like early (Di’Anno) era Iron Maiden, mixed with more than a ‘touch’ of early 80’s US glam.. It’s basically the glam of early Twisted Sister, or the First Motley Crue album  mixed with  riffage in earl Maiden albums, topped off with what is very much a Di’Anno-esque vocalist in Ronnie Wolstenholme.  I suppose I should go no further without explaining the ‘glam metal’ qualities to this album, and indeed this band  attempting rougher and more ‘metal’ imagery in this one, rather than the all-out sleaze/glam attack of the first record, this one still retains plenty of glam attitude, and typical glam sound at times. ‘Moving On’ could be described as nothing but a glam metal track. The subject matter is definitely something tackled by Great White and Guns n Roses, and the lustful, sleazy whimpers on vocals just scream glam, as well does the simplistic, repetitive nature of the instruments in this piece. Tracks like ‘Street Cred’ scream glam too, if not in the pure title of the track, then in the typically raucous gang shouted delivery of the chorus. The lyrics in this one “lock up your daughter – your liquor too” are pure glam sleaze attitude, and are fun an enjoyable – if at times a little foolish. (“We aint so pure – don’t need no cure, we’ve got street cred”). Either way, in these less-than-serious glam metal efforts we do retain heavy floor toms, rough and ready guitars, and some energetic wails from our vocalist. Nothing too amazing is done on any instruments though – sticking to the genre’s simplistic guidelines – yet besting many of the lamer glam wannabes which typified the ’87-’90 US scene. Contrasting somewhat with the slower, more glammy territory, the energetic burner ‘Power Point’ brings fast paced heavy metal credentials to the album, much like ‘Nothin’ to Lose’ done on their debut . This album seems to be an attempt at more metal-based imagery, though still embracing the glam ethos (tracks like ‘Street Cred and Movin’ On). Here it seems the band wants to prove it has teeth, wit songs like ‘Night Attacker’ the band seems to want to attempt a ‘Wrath of the Ripper’ type track (from Grim Reaper) akin to many of their fellow British metal acts. Songs like ‘Back Alley Vices’ is a capable, melodic, yet thundering cut blending sleazy glam attitude with decent enough traces of metal. Presumably, this one was taken from the sessions for their album of the same name – released a year earlier (probably didn’t make the cut). Anyway, this one brings back many of the Di’Annoesque vocals I talked of – raspy, sleazy and raw – with force behind ‘em. Simplistic yes – but a definite NWOBHM track which is among the better on this permissible on this great album. ‘Night of Halloween’ again brings in some quality crunching NWOBHM tones on guitar, and smashing impact on the drums. Touched produces an album perhaps a bit weaker than their debut here. Again they go for the fusion of soft glammery, and love songs - ‘Through the Night’ with heavier strokes such as ‘Night of Halloween’, with it’s NWOBH  touch of low guitars and pelting drums. While a pretty unique blend of sound .  Production touches, and complexity are utilized to drive the band’s ideas forward. While the over-the-top production of Canadians Kick Axe might not be necessary – planned out chorused vocals, backups and gangs, mixed with some more spacey and crisp production might work with the glam elements the band so obviously wants to include.