MAGICK TOUCH – Heads Have Got to Rock’n’Roll (2020)
We’re always interested into any rock band coming from Scandinavia. MAGICK TOUCH hails from Norway, and the cover artwork of their upcoming new album “Heads Have Got to Rock’n’Roll” really promises. And after first listen, delivers. And these lads deliver of bunch very enjoyable classic hard rock songs mixing the Seventies and the Eighties, a joyful ode to this timeless type of rock n’ roll.
Existing somewhere between Motörhead and Budgie (although less raw than the former and not as proggy than the latter) Magick Touch hit the ground running with album opener ‘(This Isn’t) Your First Rodeo’. It’s a track that encapsulates all that’s great about traditional metal; from the ‘Damage Case’ style riff that heralds its arrival to the electrified guitar solo to the thunderous drums it’s a Scandinavian smorgasbord of rock delights that’ll have you reaching for your air guitar.
Next ‘To The Limit’ is an all-out rocker with huge white spaces punctuated by a riff that falls like a guillotine blade and, with its huge anthemic chorus, it’s sure to transfer well to the live environment.
The humongous ‘Love Is A Heart Disease’ follows and stomps all over the shop. Imagine Gene Simmons in full kabuki make up whilst spitting fake blood to ‘God Of Thunder’ and you’d have something approaching the monstrous nature of ‘Love Is A Heart Disease’.
Heavy on the Boss HM-2 distortion pedal ‘Ready For The Quake’ does exactly what it says on the tin to deliver a nice slab of bluesy rock.
With more than a nod to Thin Lizzy ‘Bad Decisions’ is wrapped up is delicious harmonies and soaring guitars Christer Ottesen vocally summons his inner Phil Lynott while on the other tunes he reminds me a bit of early-era Don Dokken around the edges.
The great thing about bands like Magick Touch is they don’t try to slip the odd ballad in and poison the water, but ‘Phantom Friend’ does ease up on the gas slightly to take a more measured approach. The snaking solo that erupts mid song is a thing of beauty and adds to the overall nocturnal feel.
‘Waiting For The Parasites’ follows for a no-holds-barred, full frontal attack before ‘Daggers Dance’ unleashes a cornucopia of cool that’s fleet of foot and leads into epic closer ‘Doomsday I’m In Love’. Radiating a furnace blast, it’s akin to standing at the gates of Hades and ensures the album ends on a rather ominous tone.
While it’s true that you can’t judge a book by its cover there’s something very reassuring about the very ‘classic metal’ sleeve that houses “Heads Have Got To Rock ‘N’ Roll”. If it catches your eye and you expect a hearty dose of classic rock, you won’t be disappointed.
Highly Recommended
01 – (This isn’t) Your First Rodeo
02 – Watchman’s Requiem
03 – To the Limit
04 – Love is a Heart Disease
05 – Ready for the Quake
06 – Bad Decisions
07 – Phantom Friend
08 – Waiting for the Parasites
09 – Daggers Dance
10 – Doomsday I’m in Love
HK Rein – Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals
Christer Ottesen – Bass, Lead and Backing Vocals
Bard Nordvik – Drums, Vocals
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