RAZORMAID (pre Bangalore Choir) – First Cutt [remastered reissue] *HQ*

Likely a fairly unknown album to many, RAZORMAID’s sole record, 1987’s ”First Cutt”, is a pretty fantastic slice of late ’80s American glam metal / melodic hard. Take the Dokken atmopheres, the punchy riffs of early Icon, and some melodies from Lillian Axe, and we have RAZORMAID’s sound.
Founded by future Bangalore Choir guitarists Curt Mitchell & John Kirk, ”First Cutt” is aof course a guitar driven album plenty or catchy riff, arpeggios ans solos, but also catchiness, commanded by the sexy voice of Jim “Jamie Lee” Garrett. Vocally Jamie Lee has a strong bit of Don Dokken going on, mainly on the high notes where he channels quite a lot of the classic vocalist.
This is the remastered reissue of ”First Cutt”, correcting the bass presence which was originally less audible, and overall making the whole thing suited for modern media players.

While perhaps not as instant as the aforementioned bands – the band focus wasn’t a hit single, but a ‘complete album’ – this is a very strong effort from a band that met it’s demise far too early.
Among our favorites there’s ‘Livin’ On The Run‘, the album opener ‘Sooner Or Later‘, and closer ‘Racing With Time‘. All three are terrific songs and will give you all you need to know about how these guys sound and the strength of this LP.

‘Fight For Your Love‘, ‘Blue Thunder‘, and especially ‘Victim Of The Night‘ are highlight too, that keep the first half of this record going on a high note. ‘Second Time Around‘ dials things way back with the slowest track of the album. A fine ballad where the vocals are terrific.
Then we are right back to rocking out with two excellent tracks in ‘Too Late‘ and the aforementioned ‘Racing With Time‘ that rounds out the album and ends it like it started, on a kickin’, hard rocking note.

All in all this is an often overlooked gem of a record for the genre that has some excellent guitar work, vocals and melodies that fans of early Dokken and Lillian Axe will likely find this a great addition to their music library.
Highly Recommended

01 – Sooner Or Later
02 – Fight For Your Love
03 – Blue Thunder
04 – Obsession
05 – Livin’ On The Run
06 – Victim Of The Night
07 – Rock’n Roll Invasion
08 – The Drifter
09 – Second Time Around
10 – Too Late
11 – Racing With Time

Jim “Jamie Lee” Garrett – Vocals (Whyte Widow, Wild Child)
Curt Mitchell – Guitar (Bangalore Choir)
John Kirk – Guitar (Bangalore Choir)
Dave Wix – Bass
Dean Clarkson – Drums

try here:
www.amazon.com/First-Cut-Razormaid/dp/B0001EQ6L2