With the Metal scene in Europe crossing into the 90s decade, the French EXCESS made their efforts to survive the change of seasons. Four years after the solid debut "Melting Point", the foursome crew delivered their sophomore album "The Fatal Touch", originally released via the Spanish label Berman Internacional. It was the band's first time, and last, issuing a full length album. Similar to the reissue of the debut, No Remorse Records unveiled a refined version, which also surveyed demo tracks that were never releases along with the band's swansong EP dating back to 1992. "The Fatal Touch" was the last official drop in the barrel for EXCESS, slowly disappearing in the mist of the sea of bands.

Looking closely on the tracklist of the album, you might notice four already known names, and that of course if you took the time to listen to the debut. At first I thought that these were new versions of those songs, some which were considered strong numbers, yet, I was baffled. It was a simple lay down of the same recordings. In fact, these were also a part of the original version of the release. It might be possible that there wasn't enough material, so a good marketing move was in order, who knows? But it is always nice to make assumptions of decisions made almost three decades ago.

Going into the depths of the music, EXCESS appeared to had taken a small distance from their American / Teutonic flavors of years back and much into the midst of NWOBHM. Surely that a British influence also crossed them earlier, yet here it felt dominant. With guitarist Francois Frenoy still in the fold as the lone axeman, the touch for bewitching riffs was never lost, also the guy's ability for blazing solos never diminished. On the other hand, putting the musician attributes aside, the material took on an even obscure shape. It wasn't that clear at first since the self-titled track was quite convincing, displaying a lively band with good energies. However, it became atmospherically grey from there on, with a kind of haze over it that just didn't leave too much room for a prospect, which means more or less tiring songs out of passion. In my view, aside from the self-titled, "Making You Blind" was actually the band's last spark before the fall.

With the original version of the album fading out, there go the unreleased demos. In an overall view, these were better off behind the curtain. I have no knowledge on when those were recorded, yet it would appear that the general sense of "The Fatal Touch" was in the crosshairs. The dynamic "Losing My Time" had potential as a fine Hard Rock mixed with Heavy Metal, a catchy number that could have been a part of the next official recordings, yet the others simply didn't make the cut. However, the good vibe came to light within the "Shut Up Your Face, Open Your Ears" EP, released in 1992.

EXCESS made several lineup changes, recruiting SQUEALER's vocalist Pascal Bailly along with Emmanuel Nivesse to man the skins and Christophe Augier on keyboards. It is more likely that this change of personnel revamped some of the spirit that the band had back in 1986, and even more. Bailly's singing style too the band into a slightly rugged presence, and the material took on a fairly heavier approach. The Heavy Metal thunder of "Words I Can Say" and the nasty tone of "Pull The Trigger" could had been ammunition the band needed to continue forward, yet that opportunity was eventually lost.

After 1992, EXCESS disbanded and as it seems there is no chance for a comeback. "The Fatal Touch" might not be a source of brilliance, but it shows a face of a band that was able to survive in the end of the golden years of Metal.