Another managed band got thrown into the reviewers pit… will our Neath Thrashers survive the sharp teeth of fellow Welshman Paul Hutchings… read on to find out…

Cast your mind back to 2010. The year of the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. The hung parliament in the UK that results in the pig fucker becoming prime minister. Chelsea wins the Premier League and FA Cup. Beavers are bred in the wild in Scotland for the first time in 400 years. The Equality Act comes into force. Ghost tops the polls with Opus Eponymous. Oh yeah, and a small thrash band called Madicide form in Neath.  

Fast forward a mere 14 years and Madicide are at long last able to announce the release of their debut album Madicide. This isn’t any old record though. It’s an audio documentary of the band’s ups and downs over the years, a statement of friendship, good times, bad times, and reworking of songs that have been played many times in the live setting.  

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Daniel Angelow of Pitch Black Studios (except for bonus track Death March), the nine-songs here should be familiar to anyone who has seen these boys live recently. There’s the usual ragged approach from a band who are never going to be the most technically proficient in their peer group. Instead Madicide play to their strengths which are sheer enthusiasm, guts, and energy.  

Playing it straight, this isn’t an overcomplicated release. Instead Madicide show in nine tracks exactly what they are about. Plenty of groove and thrash with Ceri Roberts vocals on point throughout. The angst of Nicotine Love opens the album, before familiar favourites The Pit and the Pendulum kicks in at full bore.  

It’s King in Yellow that is the star of the album though. A thoughtful, well-balanced thrasher, the seven-minutes are well constructed. There are plenty of influences to consider, but ultimately, it’s essence of what Madicide can do when they really apply themselves.  

Elsewhere, the atmospheric Into the Dark and recent single Tommyknockers (which explores the Stephen King book of the same name) both stand up well. It’s well performed, with a solid production. A launch party in Swansea beckons shortly, which is likely to be one wild night. Before then, give yourself a dose of Madicide. You might just like it!  

Madicide – Madicide is out this Friday the 5th July Pre-order LINK and a Launch Party is at Hippo’s Swansea the same day!!