COLTRE - To Watch with Hands to Touch with Eyes
Dying Victims Productions
The tagline on this one was New Wave of British Heavy Metal albeit in 2024. But after a few plays I can tell ya (from personal experience) this comes off as pre-NWOBHM aka: mid 1970's sounding hard rock. So sit back and relax as I try to make sense of this to you.
First off COLTRE are a new four piece act from London, England. This is their debut full length. Prior to this the band put out a five song EP in 2020 titled Under the Influence. Trust me if you like this then you'll want to get that one as well. Line-up wise you've got two guitarists, a bass player and drummer. One of the guitarist sings. How 70's is that?
Now not only does COLTRE come off sounding as something from my early listening ears in the mid 70's. But the production on here is spot on 1970's analog. Yeah this comes off as some rare 70's act that some fuck at a record convention wants a $100 for. Then there's the cover art which to me looks Prog especially with the title.
But hey as I always say it's all about the music. So if you're into 70'S era sounds by THIN LIZZY, UFO, BLUE OYSTER CULT and even some JUDAS PRIEST then you're gonna like this one. For me I like it but there are some obvious rip offs to contend with. One example is the third cut "Rat Race". Sure it's a great homage to early UFO and a damm good track. But little did I know that the latter half of this album would be a total ode to UFO especially the final cut "Oblivion".
Do you like THIN LIZZY? Then you'll love "Friends Aren't Electric" since it has the bass riff from "Emerald". Add to that I'd swear that the title cut borrows riffs from one of BLUE OYSTER CULT's first three albums. But hey be thankful because COLTRE are not GHOST. And all in all despite this old man's obvious points this is a pretty damm good album.
For me COLTRE gets huge nostalgia points simply because the music is beautifully done. There's plenty of old school twin guitar lead work. Marco Stamigna has a calm cool and convincing heart felt delivery to his vocals. The rhythm section delivers with thick bass lines as well as cool drum work.
I mean how can you fault a band when their opening cut "Feast of the Outcast" reminds ya of DEEP PURPLE minus Jon Lord's Hammond organ. Yeah this is damm good.
LISTEN HERE:
https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/to-watch-with-hands-to-touch-with-eyes
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