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Killing Touch: One Of A Kind

Killing Touch: One Of A Kind

Melodic/Progressive Rock/Metal
Rating: 4.25/5.0

Scarlet Records
www.killingtouch.com
www.myspace.com/killingtouch
Review: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.17.2009

Killing Touch is a new band created by vocalist Michele Luppi, best known for his work with Vision Divine. Luppi recruited some old friends, Michele Vioni (lg) and Giorgio Terenziani (b) who worked with him in Mr. Pig, and some young talent, Davide Montorsi (g) and Paolo Caridi (d) to round out his band. Lyrically, One Of A Kind is a concept-album, freely inspired by Stephen King’s novel The Dead Zone. Musically, Killing Touch is a somewhat of a departure for Luppi from Vision Divine's sweeping and symphonic progressive power metal. Certainly, the power and prog elements will be found on One Of A Kind but there is also strong infusion of fundamental melodic hard rock within.

This melodic hard rock influence is clearly apparent in songs with a metal foundation like 'Mimicking Death' and 'One Of A Kind,' (one of the best songs on the album) arising often from the vocal arrangements and clever melodic hooks. Yet there are other tracks that smack decisively of pure melodic hard rock including 'Falling Away' and 'Justify.' Unfortunately, except for the exceptional fret work and Luppi's vocal performance, especially on the latter, these are average songs. For my money, the better results come when the melodic hard rock merges with other influences for a more progressive result. 'The Touch' and especially the magnificent 'The Danger Zone do this superbly.

Overall, however, One Of A Kind a musically diverse album. Both 'Tommy's Cane' and 'Walls Of Sympathy' venture toward the true heavy/power metal genre. Probably the most surprising piece on the album is the piano instrumental 'Still Walking.' I never knew that Mr. Luppi was quite the piano virtuoso; his performance is outstanding.

As a new musical venture for vocalist Michele Luppi, Killing Touch's One Of A Kind is splendid debut of diverse musical influences which blur genres and exceed expectations. Luppi and company blend heavy, power, and especially melodic hard rock elements to create a tasty platter of melodic progressive music. Very recommended!

In Short

As a new musical venture for vocalist Michele Luppi, Killing Touch's One Of A Kind is splendid debut of diverse musical influences which blur genres and exceed expectations. Luppi and company blend heavy, power, and especially melodic hard rock elements to create a tasty platter of melodic progressive music.

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