| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Roger Rose |
| Record Label: Frontline / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1992 / 2018 | Artist Website: Mad At The World |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 41:09 |
Those familiar with Angelic Warlord know that we are not necessarily connoisseurs of the modern and/or alternative rock genres. With a few possible exceptions notwithstanding, what little modern music we cover has to appeal to our readership due to being, well, modern but also a whole lot more. Consider as an example All For The King, which while modern is not to a fault due to the presence of vocalist Ricard Hulteke (Empire 21) and enough melodic metal and hard rock sentiments on its 2017 self-titled debut to fall within our style guidelines, even if just barely. Likewise with The World Will Burn, grungy modern to straightforward hard rock to feature vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride) on its two releases Severity (2016) and RuiNation (2017), and Sins Of A Nation, modern metal whose self-titled release from 2011 includes a front man a near dead ringer for Bruce Dickinson and all the guitar soloing you could ask.
In light of such reservations, one can understand how I might have had second thoughts when approached about reviewing the fall of 2018 Retroactive Records re-issue to the fifth Mad At The World album, Through The Forest. Fact is I have never been a close follower of Mad At The World in that its modern ‘synth-pop’ based sounds are not my cup of tea, noting the decided keyboard emphasis on its first two albums, Mad At The World (1987) and Flowers In The Rain (1988). Hence, one can understand that when Through The Forest saw release in 1992 (on Frontline Records) it fell completely beneath my radar.
That said, I was intrigued when the press material ahead of the re-issue described Through The Forest as an ‘essential hard rock album’, so to be completely fair I decided to listen with an open mind, noting my expectations were understandably modest. I could not have been more surprised, however, in that while Mad At The World stays true to its modern roots - subtly so and without the heavy keyboard focus - Through The Forest more than meets our requirements as ‘modern and a whole lost more’. This manifests from how as advertised it reinforces a full on hard rocking guitar sound but with strong leanings towards the blues, groove, stoner-doom and even some progressive facets.
In terms of specifics, the Retroactive re-issue was re-mastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-released on CD (with a 6-page booklet with lyrics) and for the first time vinyl (limited to 150 copies).
Mad At The World remains a project of founding members and brothers Randy (vocals and drums) and Roger Rose (vocals and guitars), whom are joined by long-term members Mike Pendelton (vocals and bass) and Brent Gordon (guitars). With three vocalists on board, it can be problematic determining who fronts which track, beginning with opener “That Lonesome Road”. A song ranking with my albums favorites, it suggests of catchy bluesy sentiments as acoustic lacings joining with heavier rocking guitars to create a landscape that would not sound out of place on Bride’s Kinetic Faith. Vocals are fittingly gritty mid-ranged to gravel based.
Not so with follow up cut “Trapped”, with its bottom heavy Danzig like sound in which vocals reach down for some somber, lower register angst. Despite the weighty sounds at hand, the song comes across surprisingly upbeat but also does not wear out its welcome in light of another forthcoming melody. Randy Rose’s 1991 solo offering Sacrificium might be a good point of reference.
Albums title track takes a similar musical heading but even more up-tempo and with an underpinning pop basis in terms of the hooks. Bass literally pulses in the backend, aligning with added melancholic vocals to create another impression derivative to Sacrificium. I love how the lead guitar keeps going and going and going.
“If I Lose My Way” takes a turn towards straight on hard rock in revisiting soulful vocal territory. Not unlike “That Lonesome Road”, a bluesy essence comes to the forefront, as a tone of complementary lower register groove drives things from a bottom heavy standpoint. In the end, this one might not be quite remarkable as its three predecessors but is solid nonetheless.
Ballad “Always Be My Love” closes albums first half, pointing towards an acoustic basis with periodic doses of prodigious low end and lightly done rhythm guitars. Smooth and clean vocals help lead the soothing way, while keyboards decorate the backdrop. Interestingly, instrumental moments reflect upon a Southern basis.
A heavier rocking cover entitled “M.A.T.W. (Reprise)” of the song “Mad At The World” off the self-titled debut pick up where the original leaves off but obviously much better. Quirky vocal melodies, programmed drums and a serious keyboard drenching give way to driving rhythms, elevated tempo and hard rocking guitars to crunch with the best of them. Cool drums solo at the end to boot.
In ranking with the albums heaviest, “Alone” is also one of my favorites. It approaches all out metal, with a big mid-tempo groove from the get go as guitars command the mix - at times even morphing into thrash territory - and vocals reach deep as if forlorn from the grave. Heavy but not heavy handed is the feel at hand.
Second ballad “I’ve Got A Heaven” gives rise to a resonant form, driven by keyboards with an orchestral quality (by no means a distraction) and haunting ‘I’ve got a Heaven, you can’t take that away’ melody. Guitars only make appearance for the instrumental moments. Of note are how vocals are of the classic tenor Freddie Mercury variety.
Driving hard rocker “I’ll Never Go Back There” plows forward from the start to an unyielding mid-tempo clip. The song brings a down-tuned if not lower register feel, as the doom-ish vocal penchant returns to contrast with the lightly catchy hooks of the curtly woven refrain. Instrumental moments grind to remorseless rhythm guitar.
Album closes to Elvis Presley cover “If I Can Dream”. The Mad At The World rendering, as one might imagine, is much heavier rocking as things begin calmly to acoustic and bass guitar only to have firmer rhythm guitar play a commanding role as impetus builds. A slight pop basis underpins things in the process.
I do not have an original version of Through The Forest to offer comparison, but production is finely done with all the needed ingredients: forwardly placed bass, rhythm guitar to taste and cleanly mixed leads. As with past efforts, Colwell takes an obviously already solid production job and improves upon it.
Lesson learned with Mad At The World and the Retroactive re-issue to Through The Forest is to leave any potential bias at the front door prior to listening. In other words, do not judge a book by its cover! If, for instance, previously turned off by the group in terms of any early modern inclining, then I encourage you to approach with an open mind- not unlike yours truly you could end up very pleasantly surprised in the process. As for long term Mad At The World fans, do not pass up the opportunity to obtain such a classic album in not only its re-mastered form but on vinyl as well.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “That Lonesome Road” (4:27), “Trapped” (3:44), “Lost In The Forest” (3:35), “If I Lose My Way” (3:31), “Always Be My Love” (4:08), “M.A.T.W. (Reprise)” (4:22), “Alone” (5:45), “I’ve Got A Heaven” (4:25), “I’ll Never Be Back There” (3:54), “If I Can Dream” (2:53)
Musicians
Randy Rose - Vocals & Drums
Brent Gordon - Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Mike Pendelton - Vocals & Bass
Roger Rose - Vocals & Guitars
