Reason&Madness

 

 

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I bought Reason and Madness the first time it was released, and it has become one if my favourite albums. The mumsic, the lyrics, the vocals- everything is fantastic! The only slightly disappointing part of the album for me is the ending, but the rest certainly outweighs that. If you are on the fence about purchasing this album, I would highly reccomend that you do it!

Hanging Doll - Reason & Madness

Birmingham based 5-piece Hanging Doll, have moved effortlessly from being a cult band, to premier league status judging by their inaugural opus Reason & Madness.

Opening with a melancholic piano piece, the album unfurls with the accomplished air of a band totally at easy with its ability to make fine and evocative music.

The energetic and emotional "Hope Springs Eternal" is an early highlight. Sharply focused it fuses a Gothic splendour to a symphonic melting pot of Metal riffs and rhythms. Rising above the guttural backing vocals is the impeccable voice of Sally Holliday. The use of live strings on "Hope Springs Eternal" (and sprinkled throughout the album) helps to embellish the musical vitality Hanging Doll clearly possesses.

On the Power Ballad "Echoes Of Sorrow", one could be forgiven in thinking a youthful Wayne Hussey had joined Sally Holliday for a duet, it is in fact lead guitarist and Hanging Doll founder Daniel Leddy. Sumptuous as this song is it doesn't prepare you for the one of the finest moments of the album, namely "A Formidable Mistake". Punchy and driven "A Formidable Mistake" casts a spell so strong it's almost impossible to escape its clutches. Flirting with Simon Hinkler era Mission textures, Hanging Doll give this song a dramatic power rarely seen in Rock music.

The soaring Gothic Ballad "Forlorn", has Sally Holliday's singing and Daniel Leddy's guitar playing bring the song to a breathtaking, and moving climax. Other outstanding tracks include the sweeping Operatic beauty of "Iniquity", and the violent, pulsating "Twist Of A Deity" where the band evoke musical excitement akin to Wagner's epic `Ride Of The Valkeries'.

Unlike some bands whose music is focused upon the talents of just one or two members, Hanging Doll and the way they structure the music makes this debut and their talents shine as a unified whole. Part Goth, part Metal, part Orchestral, Hanging Doll are not afraid to mix and match these elements in varying quantities to enhance the effectiveness of each song. This is a difficult enough task for an established band, a pretty remarkable feat on a debut. This album reminds the cynical that good music transcends genres!

Album closer "Silence In Solitude" serves as a fitting reminder that Hanging Doll is burgeoning with talent and ideas. Epic and majestic "Silence In Solitude" ebbs and flows with panache. Delicate strings and dynamic rhythms are used in such a way that the overall effect when mixed with the vocals and keyboards is truly enchanting. The song fades away to a gentle, lilting piano coda from Aryan Amoli.

Despite being fronted by the cute looking Sally Holliday Hanging Doll are not some Poppy Metal outfit hanging on the coat-tails of Lacuna Coil or Evanescence, but one that is unique and overflowing with ability. Unmanufactured, Hanging Doll are determined to make music of the very highest order, and their self-financed Reason & Madness album is testament to this.

In pursuit of orchestral enrichment it is easy to overladen every song with layer upon layer of musical embellishments till all that remains is a wall of incoherent noise. Hanging Doll has avoided this cliché to such perfection that the musical narrative fits the lyrical content like a glove. In places on "Reason & Madness" they have the audacity to summon grandiosity in the vain of Pink Floyd, not in some dodgy Prog Rock way, but in a highly charged and passionate Rock maelstrom, notable examples include "Forlorn" and "Twist Of A Deity",

The exemplary rhythm section of Alex Cooper on percussion and Kev Wilson on bass allows Hanging Doll to shine very brightly indeed. While the thoughtful keyboard melodies from Aryan Amoli are the icing on a cake, just enough to bring texture and interest, and not flooded everywhere to compensate for a lack substance.

Reason & Madness is a superb album by any standard, the fact it's Hanging Doll debut makes it worthy of even more praise. Hanging Doll have raised the bar in what can be achieved with raw talent and determination.

9.5/10

I saw this band along with others at the MetalFest at JB's in Dudley UK, i had never heard of them before so i had an open mind on them. When they came on, from the first chord to the last, they were so professional, the lead singer has a fantastic voice and the music, i would say is amazing.
I ordered the CD which came a few days leter, listened to it and was blown away by it. i wouldn't say their was a bad track on the CD. They would definately be recomended to people i know and as they're a local band (from Birmingham), hopefully i'll get to see them a lot more.....5 stars!!!!

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