MAD PARISH: The Dust Of Forever (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Mad Parish had distinguished themselves in 2014 with their album “Procession”, in a rather challenging heavy metal. Since then, there's been no news, and the Montreal-based band seemed to have opted for a definitive hibernation. So the 2025 release of a new album, “The Dust Of Forever”, was more than intriguing.

Eleven years between two albums, such a gap after a debut album, represents a major challenge. The band practically has to start from scratch, except for the happy few who must have been popping champagne when the announcement of a new album was made. Those who enjoyed “Procession” will be on familiar ground. Mad Parish is back to the energy and power of 2014. The guitars have a field day, while the keyboards are equally at home, sometimes taking up space ('Possess The Child', 'Defecther'). The rhythm section is not to be outdone in this slightly mad, dark but never heavy object. The band's roots lie in the heavy metal of the 1970s and 1980s: Iron Maiden, their compatriot Rush and Rainbow will come as no surprise when they are cited as influences. Tracks such as 'The Experience Hunter' and the eponymous title track can be used as calling cards. The vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne. It's a voice that's fairly sparing of effects and even power, but which can sometimes rise into the treble, and which is capable of exploring sunny darkness, even showing itself to be moving at times (the intimate 'Ouen Formation').

What sets Mad Parish apart from the crowd is their declared willingness to open up to all winds. The band doesn't lock itself into a single genre, but instead tries out several approaches (jazzy on 'Transmission 2', prog on 'Loched', Camel-like 'Outerest In Irisius' or 'Possess The Child', symphonic on 'Hunted' and 'Astra T.R.A.Z', pop, bluesy etc.). Each of the genre dosages is scrupulously balanced, and the band doesn't take anything for granted, proposing its new ingredients with freshness ('Dream On' takes us to an exotic island, A.C.T.-style). The album's length of 21 tracks in 71 minutes isn't prohibitive, with tracks flowing harmoniously into each other and interludes providing adventurous transitions between the more robust tracks. That said, a shorter length wouldn't have been unpleasant either...

Eleven years after their first opus, the Canadians of Mad Parish deliver a second instalment as melodic as it is stimulating, in an interesting concept album of rich, adventurous heavy metal that delights in exploring several genres rather than locking itself into one. Canadian/Quebec cousins, don't take so long for the next album, we want to hear what you have to offer as soon as possible!
- Official website

MAD PARISH

THE DUST OF FOREVER

AUTOPRODUCTION

HEAVY METAL