Back in Top Form - 5/5
When Mad Hatter 2.0’s original guitarist Paul Vyse left the band, eyebrows and questions were raised: Was this the end of one of the most hardest working band on the scene? The introduction of two new guitarists Dan and Dave was brilliant news for all those worried, but the question mark hung on whether having new members would lower the level of high standards already set. Well, that standard has just got higher.
New members generally give a band a new sound from various influences that they have which is evident from the strong SOAD eastern European sounding bass and technical drum work provided from the tight rhythms of Hayden and Kurt, whilst still keeping to Marc’s signature vocals of a mixture of whispers to full volley yells over the traditional Hatter riffs that ploughthrough on “Forgiven”, including a breakdown which is rather uncommon for theband. Needless to say, it’s a track that kicks ass.
There’s more lovely grove riffs from the two new guitarists in “Your Own Worst Enemy”, with crunching guitars, menacing vocals and yet more pummelling rhythms from Hayden and Kurt. Everything sounds changed, from more of a concrete song structure to bridges that are soft but have an eerily suspense rising before a great guitar solo kicks in. This goes to show that you can never slow this band down.
Going over these tracks remind of what a rookies first mosh pit would be like. You’d go in after watching lots of videos thinking you know what’s going to happen before you suddenly get a rush of adrenaline of getting punched a few times, before emerging battered and bruised with a smile on your face just waiting for more.
New members generally give a band a new sound from various influences that they have which is evident from the strong SOAD eastern European sounding bass and technical drum work provided from the tight rhythms of Hayden and Kurt, whilst still keeping to Marc’s signature vocals of a mixture of whispers to full volley yells over the traditional Hatter riffs that ploughthrough on “Forgiven”, including a breakdown which is rather uncommon for theband. Needless to say, it’s a track that kicks ass.
There’s more lovely grove riffs from the two new guitarists in “Your Own Worst Enemy”, with crunching guitars, menacing vocals and yet more pummelling rhythms from Hayden and Kurt. Everything sounds changed, from more of a concrete song structure to bridges that are soft but have an eerily suspense rising before a great guitar solo kicks in. This goes to show that you can never slow this band down.
Going over these tracks remind of what a rookies first mosh pit would be like. You’d go in after watching lots of videos thinking you know what’s going to happen before you suddenly get a rush of adrenaline of getting punched a few times, before emerging battered and bruised with a smile on your face just waiting for more.