Step into the arena of 90s glam metal with Heaven's Edge and their electrifying anthem, "Skin to Skin."
The Song
"Skin to Skin" is a high-energy track from Heavens Edge's self-titled debut album, released in 1990. Written by Mark Evans and Reggie Wu, the song embodies the quintessential glam metal sound with its powerful, soaring vocals, crunchy, overdriven guitar riffs, and a dynamic rhythm section. It quickly became a fan favorite and was the band's most popular single.
The track is an anthemic hard rock song that showcases the band's ability to craft catchy melodies and deliver an energetic performance. Its production, handled by renowned heavy metal producer Neil Kernon (known for his work with Dokken and Queensrÿche), is often lauded for being utterly fabulous, capturing the essence of the era.
The Artist
Heavens Edge (sometimes spelled Heaven's Edge) is an American glam metal band hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1987. The original lineup featured Mark Evans on lead vocals, Reggie Wu on guitar and keyboards, Steven Parry on guitar, George "G.G." Guidotti on bass, and David Rath on drums. They quickly gained a reputation on the local club circuit for their high-energy live shows.
The band signed with Columbia Records and released their debut album, Heavens Edge, in 1990. While they were poised for greater success, the changing musical landscape of the early 90s, with the rise of grunge, significantly impacted their trajectory. Despite this, the band has reunited with its original members for occasional shows since 2013 and released a new album, Get It Right, in 2023.
Chart Performance
The album Heavens Edge, featuring "Skin to Skin," reached number 141 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1990. While not a massive chart-topper, the single "Skin to Skin" did receive significant airplay. The music video for "Skin to Skin" was notably played on MTV's popular program Headbangers Ball, a key platform for glam metal bands at the time.
However, the band's promotional push was cut short as record labels began to shift their focus away from glam metal in the early 1990s, just as their debut was gaining traction. This timing prevented "Skin to Skin" and the album from achieving broader mainstream chart success that might have been possible a few years earlier.
Cultural Impact
"Skin to Skin" and Heavens Edge emerged at a pivotal moment for glam metal. While the genre was on the cusp of a major shift, the song is remembered as a strong example of late-era hair metal, praised for its raw energy and catchy appeal. It represents a sound that was still vibrant and capable of delivering powerful rock anthems before the grunge explosion irrevocably altered the mainstream rock landscape.
For fans of the genre, "Skin to Skin" is often cited as a killer track from a band that "showed up to the game a little late," but whose debut album holds its own among the strongest of the era. The video's presence on MTV's Headbangers Ball also cemented its place in the memories of 90s rock enthusiasts.
Fun Facts
- Heavens Edge recorded their self-titled debut album in the fall of 1989 with producer Neil Kernon.
- The band's ascension was tragically interrupted when bassist George "G.G." Guidotti was shot in the abdomen by a disgruntled bar patron at a club performance in Philadelphia. Thankfully, he recovered, but the incident caused delays and slowed the band's momentum.
- The band opened for major acts like Ronnie James Dio and Yngwie Malmsteen, culminating in a performance at The Spectrum in Philadelphia.
- After their initial split, some members formed a new band called American Pie, though they never released an official album.
- Lead singer Mark Evans has kept writing music and played in a classic rock cover band and a David Bowie tribute band in the years following Heaven's Edge's initial run.