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Madhouse: Braindead

Heavy/Speed/Thrash Metal

3.5/5.0

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Iron Shield Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 03.06.2020 | Released: 12.06.2020

Germany's Madhouse origin dates back to the late 1980's with two demo tapes, before the band broke up in 1991. Their resurrection came when band members got back together in 2014 to listen and reflect on the old material. A commitment was made to write new songs, and Madhouse dropped their first ever long-player in 2018, Metal Or Die, which also introduced us to new vocalist Didi 'Shark' Schulz. Now Madhouse returns with their latest and sophomore effort, Braindead, on the Iron Shield Records label.

Madhouse

There's no second guessing the Madhouse sound: the band plays twin-guitar powered, old school heavy metal infused with elements of both speed and thrash metal. Their song composition is also rather straight forward: release the riffage, engage the rhythm section, and let the gallop begin as they drive the metal machine to the quintessential guitar solo (or solos). You'll find things fast and heavy, speedy and thrashing, with Break The Ice, Never Say Die, Oscar, and Knights Of Avalon. With Last Man Standing you get a bombastic start, but also the first of several fine guitar solos, before ripping into all things fast and heavy. For the title track, you get a nice mix of rhythmic drumming and light electric guitar, then the riffs rise and the bass line is heard as the song develops into some heavy metal with groove. All in all, if you like your heavy metal both traditional and fast and heavy, with ripping guitar solos, you will enjoy Madhouse's Braindead.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

All in all, if you like your heavy metal both traditional and fast and heavy, with ripping guitar solos, you will enjoy Madhouse's Braindead.

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]