Touchstone

Prog Head

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TOUCHSTONE is one of leading contemporary bands who expertly bridge the distance between feel and technique, between the convention of a progressive style and the beautiful music. They can use dynamics and instrumental breaks, wonderful melodies and interesting compositional structures. This excellent band learnt good lessons from renowned acts, and able to write a fascinating material, full of freshness and sincerity. It contains everything: from ambition epics to haunting ballads, from complex instrumentals to radio-friendly rockers, plus soaring melodic singing and consistently uplifting themes. Some brilliant guitar parts are played by Adam Hodgson. Keyboards shine throughout. The group is a very tight outfit, with bass and drums working closely tohether. Touchstone have two fantastic singers (Rob Cottingham and Kim Seviour). Their incredible harmony complete the outstanding work.

http://www.touchstonemusic.co.uk

To be honest, I was hooked by previous Touchstone releases. And now I’m looking forward to the next album with excitement. Announced release date for “The City Sleeps” is October, 10th. So I truly hope that the basic formula of music won't change much.



 

Prog Head

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Taken from Strutter webzine.

TOUCHSTONE - ‘WINTERCOAST’.

Wow, this is a big surprise! The UK band TOUCHSTONE released their debut back in 2007, which was already a very strong record, but with their new album ‘Wintercoast’ they are going for the Gold! From start to finish this is an incredible high quality album, which starts with an intro that features famous Oscar-winning actor JEREMY IRONS as a very special guest performing the prelude narration. What follows is an excellent mixture of Melodic Rock and Progressive/Symphonic Rock that sounds like a mix between LANA LANE, MOSTLY AUTUMN, IT BITES and THRESHOLD! The band features female vocalist KIM SEVIOUR mainly, but also on a few songs male singer (and keyboardplayer) ROB COTTINGHAM, whom together give the TOUCHSTONE a very diverse approach, which is very melodic when singing the harmonies (hence the melodic rock touch). The line-up is filled up by an excellent guitarist called ADAM HODGSON and a solid rhythm section of bassist PAUL MOORGHEN and drummer AL MELVILLE. The album features some pure long epic Progressive Rock anthems (like the 10 minutes counting opener “Wintercoast” and the superb “Line in the sand”), but also more straight-ahead uptempo Melodic Rock, such as the very catchy “Strange days” and also here and there some calmer moments (“Solace”). In the end, this is a very sensational album that will appeal to a lot fans of different genres, because Prog and Melodic Rockfans will be enjoying this CD most definitely. Produced by the band themselves and released on the band’s own label, the mixing was done by JOHN MITCHELL (one of the most ambitious prog musicians at the moment, known for KINO, IT BITES, ARENA, FROST, etc.). This CD sounds huge and is as good as or perhaps even better than the regular major label releases. Make sure to check it out...
 

Prog Head

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Some time ago Touchstone announced that they had a worldwide distribution agreement with SPV/Steamhammer. This deal includes a brand new studio album scheduled for October 2011.

The full track-listing of ‘The City Sleeps’ is as follows:


1 - Corridors 5:50
2 - When Shadows Fall 10:02
3 - These Walls 3:40
4 - Throw Them To The Sky 5:04
5 - Sleeping Giants 4:16
6 - Good Boy Psycho 6:47
7 - Horizons 6:38
8 - Half Moon Meadow 5:17
9 - The City Sleeps 11:40
10 - Corridors Epiphany (Instrumental) 1:56




 
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