Shining Blade
Touch The Night

THE REVIEW

The Shining Blade was formed in 1981 in Bari thanks to Francesco D'Elia (vocals), Jimmi Troccoli and Fabio Pignataro (guitar), Francesco Collela (bass), and Michele Rainieri (drums). The sound of the Apulian quintet was comparable to speed metal from the beginning, even though at that time, there were few bands playing that genre.

Between 1983 and 1984, they released two demo tapes, the first called "On The Battlefield" and the second titled "Ace Of Blades". After many live appearances, such as at the Certaldo Festival, and after featuring tracks "Freakish Footsteps" and "Winged Snake" in various compilations, the band recorded a full-length album. This new work, titled "Touch The Night", marked the turning point for the group, both musically and commercially. The Shining Blade, who until then had played speed metal, moved towards American heavy metal, like Riot and Van Halen, and the AOR of Journey. This mix of different sounds is encapsulated in the ten tracks of this album of Italian metal!

The quintet demonstrates they have literally learned the lessons from the sacred monsters of eighties metal, both in terms of instrumental technique and compositional ability. They range from more catchy and melodic tracks like the title track and "Freakish Footsteps", to faster pieces like "On The Battlefield", "Winged Snake", and "Blood Birthday", to more AOR tracks like "Night Walking" and "Foolish Day".

Now let's move on to the so-called track by track. The album is opened by two instrumentals: the first, "Intro", is very short in length, just thirty seconds, and is executed solely by the subdued keyboard. In the second, "140 RPH", the guitars of Jimmi and Fabio take center stage, engaging in very complex solos and virtuosity. A piece that especially reminds me of "The Ides Of March" by Maiden from "Killers". After these two small instrumental tracks, the album truly begins with one of the band's most beautiful songs, the famous "On The Battlefield". The song starts with a classic eighties heavy metal riff and then launches into Francesco's energetic and bright voice, proving he is a very capable singer. The refrain is very evocative, linear, yet melodic and surprising at the same time. A piece that reminds me a lot of the early albums of Judas Priest and Scorpions. A great lesson in heavy metal!! The solos are fast, technical, and performed with tenacity and skill.

"Foolish Day" is introduced by beautiful melodic work of guitar and keyboard, then makes space for a catchy and very catchy voice. This track is one of the most beautiful on the record, a typically AOR metal song that will make Journey and Loverboy envious. The rhythm section is well executed by the quintet, the solos are dreamy just like D'Elia's voice, which takes on a sunnier and more linear tone. An energetic yet also very pleasant song. "Blood Birthday" follows the patterns of classic American metal, with heavy riffs and a great initial solo, like the Riot, and the subsequent staccato rhythms leave room for the powerful voice of the vocalist. The song is very lively, with various references to Motley Crue, the rhythm is unrestrained and the guitar exceeds in interesting virtuosity, which reminds me of Van Halen's solos. Listen to believe!! The sixth track is "Freakish Footsteps", a beautiful AOR ballad with sensational melody and sweetness. The singer's voice is full of pathos and is supported by equally beautiful keyboard and guitar work. This moving ballad maintains its delicacy and melody throughout without ever becoming boring. I could define it as the "Open Arms" of the Shining Blade!

The next "Tonight" is also rich in melody, though it has a more metal-oriented style, like Cinderella. The eighth track "Night Walking" has an incredible charge and power, keeping the album at unexpectedly high levels. It starts with a nice riff that unfolds into a powerful and gritty rhythm supported by excellent keyboard work. The beginning is full of changes, enriching the song even more with suspense. The performances of the vocalist, who once again proves his beautiful voice, and the guitarists who continuously produce solos are grand. The next "Winged Snake" is one of the group's most famous pieces and can be defined as the band's fastest track. The song follows the typical patterns of speed-heavy metal, with a fast and powerful start. The voice assumes a more angry and wild tone, reaching very high peaks. The solos by Jimmi and Fabio remind me of the Maiden era "Powerslave" while the sparkling performance by the other members is surprising. "Winged Snake" truly embodies the spirit of "so fuckin' wild" metal! The last track of the album is the title track, introduced by a nice atmosphere, thanks to the keyboard and the melancholic guitar chords and solos. A piece that resembles Vanadium's "Arms In The Air" and "Don't Be Looking Back". A suggestive ballad with its catchy and melodic refrain, able to express emotions to the fullest.

A truly surprising and unexpected work from an Italian group in the mid-eighties, which unfortunately did nothing more after "Touch The Night". However, this is another testament to the grandeur and beauty of Italian metal, which still has much to say today.