Album review: MASON HILL – Against The Wall
Share the post "Album review: MASON HILL – Against The Wall"
7Hz Porductions [Release date 05.03.21]
Mason Hill have had a proper rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster ride to get to this point of releasing their debut album, some six years after first forming. They signed to a label, left said label, started a Crowdfunder campaign to fund this album’s release and built up a loyal fan base along the way.
Said fan base, along with savvy online promotion, saw ‘Against The Wall’ debut in the UK national album chart at number 19 and top over 750,000 streams on Spotify. The album also hit number 1 in the UK rock album chart – the first time a band has charted with their debut album in the UK Top 20 since Greta Van Fleet in 2018.
Not only that but Mason Hill are the first British rock act to have their debut album in the UK Top 20 and # 1 in the UK rock album chart since Royal Blood and Lonely The Brave back in 2014.
Scott Taylor’s vocals are a key element to the band’s sound, soaring and emotive, he certainly packs a powerful, yet always melodic, punch. ‘D.N.A.’ and ‘No Regret’ are testament to this, both being powerful, no nonsense rockers that do have some similarities with Nickelback. That’s no bad thing in my book and many others as Nickelback certainly sell a few albums and fill the arenas. Something Mason Hill may not achieve, but given their self-belief and undoubted talent are certain to give it their best shot and with a bit of luck will succeed.
The ballad ‘Where I Belong’ shows off the guitar interplay between James Bird and Marc Montgomery, impressive stuff. The song builds from a vocal/harmony filled start leading into the epic guitar solos. Who We Are’ is a neat mobiles-in-the-air ballad, a chance for the band to show off their mellower side, a la Alter Bridge.
Elsewhere there are plenty of floor fillers including the title track and ‘We Pray’ (a song that will appeal to younger rock fans given its sound), although ‘Find My Way’ is not overly memorable.
Mason Hill certainly deserve the success they are now enjoying after a rocky road to get here. An assured, enjoyable debut and the start of a promising career. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: MASON HILL – Against The Wall"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections