It was nearly 3 years ago that I reviewed the last album from Norwegian power trio Magick Touch, Heads Have Got to Rock ‘n’ Roll. I was floored by their carefree, in your face brand of hard and heavy rock. With its heavy-handed riffage, arena rock tendencies, and knack for catchy hooks, this was the epitome of a no frills rock n’ roll album. Unfortunately, their rad rockin’ stylings failed to catch on stateside in the midst of the pandemic. Years passed. I’d ask, “Do you dig Magick Touch?”, to which everyone replied, “Who?” On that note, we’re gonna try this again.
Magick Touch are back and ballsier than ever with their latest outing, Cakes & Coffins. Odd as the title seems, it sums up the Magick Touch ethos concisely. The “cake” is the air-guitar worthy riffs, harmonious choruses, and feelgood spirit that dominates the majority of this album. The “coffins” can be characterized by the occasional occult leaning lyrical content and metallic darkness that rears its ugly head throughout. I don’t think Magick Touch intentionally set out to make a heavier album, but nevertheless, there’s more doom and gloom on Cakes & Coffins than its predecessor.
Of all the 70s and 80s gods who are channeled through the sound of Magick Touch, none is more evident than the influence of Thin Lizzy. Despite being a one guitar band, Magick Touch sure nail all the other aspects of Ireland’s greatest export. Cuts like “The Judas Cross” and “Boots” fuse the Lizzy aesthetic with a sinister, Scandinavian delivery, while “Demons and Rust” is pure groove and swagger that wouldn’t sound out of place on Johnny the Fox (1976). Of all the Lizzy inspired moments, none hit harder than my choice cut, “M.I.N.A.”, which made me exclaim, “Holy Thunder and Lightning, Batman!” Had Lynott lived to put out one more Lizzy album, chances are it would sound something like this.
As for the rest of Cakes & Coffins, there’s no shortage sweet and scrumptious metallic dessert to be devoured. “Apollyon” and “Guillotine Dreams” channel the raucous energy of Alive! era KISS, even down to the choruses. “Babylon, Baby!” sneaks in a dose of Pentagram style doom, while “When Eating a Wolf” and “Raven” are the obligatory “We can do more than hard and heavy music” offerings. No matter what’s being attempted, at no point does this album sound inspired by anything after 1984, and I’m sure that’s just how Magick Touch wants it.
While Cakes & Coffins is heavier than Heads, it isn’t better. It’s more or less a continuation of the same formula that’s steered them since day one, and that’s if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Leave the pomp and prog to Hällas, The Night Flight Orchestra, etc. Magick Touch keeps on keepin’ on, with a heavy load of classic rock in tow. Whether or not America catches on this time around remains to be seen, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t. After all, we are the country that spawned Grand Funk Railroad, Mountain, and the aforementioned KISS. Make no mistake: Cakes & Coffins will make you “Rock and Roll All Nite”!
7 out of 10
Label: Edged Circle Productions
Genre: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
For fans of: Thin Lizzy, Audrey Horne, Bible of the Devil