This debut has been a long time coming. Formed in 2011, Madicide's self-titled album is the Welsh outfit's first full length release, despite them being well-known for frantic live performances in the South Wales metal scene and having headlined shows across the UK. Although they had a hiatus between 2015 and 2021, the band have returned and this album contains tracks written during their first stint, which have been revitalised, and new tracks since reforming. I have heard of them as they are fellow Moshin' the Roof on alumni with my own Heavy Claw solo project, having put out Carnivore Incarnate on MTRO 3.
Madicide kicks off with Nicotine Love (the second single, released in June), and a soft acoustic intro with spoken, almost telephone effect vocals, before going into a mid-paced groove. The chorus discards the effect, and a more traditional late-80s vocal replaces it. I like the groove, but I'm not sure it is a track that I'd start my debut album with. It also has a fade out, which I'm not sure is a good idea.
My preferences apart, we move on to The Pit and the Pendulum, an homage to Edgar Allan Poe's work. It’s a more upbeat affair, with some blistering riffs to get you fired up and some well used vocal effects on this one. The only down point is the guitar squeal on the chorus, which started to grate a little, as does the repeat of "the pendulum, pendulum".
Ozymandius starts with a slower chug but has a great increase in tempo in the chorus. This is one of the tracks that reminds of late-80s thrash and has Death Angel tinges to it. A nice quickening and double kick section in the middle really lifts the song. Killing Machine, with its eight seconds of quick, false acoustic intro, then melts your face with riffage, although there are a few clunky section changes. The tempo slows again for the start of King In Yellow, but it quickens nicely after the 50 second mark. This is a near seven-minute opus, a rollercoaster of a track, with tempo and timing changes, dirty and clean guitars, and a ringing bass. The middle section is impressive and is reminiscent of Acid Reign's longer songs.
Trapped In Purgatory, sees the return of vocal effects in part, and they are used well. A foot tapping, head nodder, with some good moments when the dynamics change in this one; guitars and bass drop out, leaving the drums; guitar and bass driving, and drums taking a back seat. A good chugging section comes at the end. It’s followed by the seventh song, Into the Dark, which has a harsh razor like riff to start and then the introduces the heaviness, and a touch of flanger on the vocal give some colour. A gallop comes in the mid-section (who doesn't like a gallop?), followed be a solo which makes me think of Kirk Hammett on the Black album. Into Tommy Knockers, which is the first single that was released last year, and my favourite track off the album. This one does remind me of Death Angel, and the vocal from Ceri Roberts does have that hint of Mark Osegueda about it. You can't go wrong with a song based on a Stephen King book in my opinion. The Bonus track is Death March, which was recorded before this album and has been remastered for it, and you can tell engineering wise, and musically. Whilst the fundamentals are there, this is the poorest track off the album. There is a slight Jump in the Fire to the first riff, which I love, but then I don't really get on with the rest of the track. Seemed like a bit of a mish mash, but it is a bonus track.
All in all, ... I like it. It has a lot of the things that I love about that late-80s/early-90s thrash in there. I like Ceri's vocal, which isn't too harsh and has some of that old school vibe. The riffing and interplay between him and Ian Woofe are good, as well as Ian's solos being non-flashy and complimentary to the songs. Josh Bevan has a good bass tone and I like his touches and runs. The drums from Jack Williams sound good and drive the music along. I wasn't sold on the production at first. I thought it was a bit like And Justice for All but with the bass, but after a few listens, it bedded in a bit. I'm looking forward to hearing more from the boys from Neath and will be looking out for them at a live show, if they venture to the Big Smoke.
Review by Rich 'Tricky' Hudson
Live photos - Hutch
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