MASON HILL WORLD SO WONDERFUL

ARTIST – MASON HILL

ALBUM – WORLD SO WONDERFUL

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

When Scott Taylor left Mason Hill in 2023 for health reasons the band cancelled all engagements and entered a hiatus period. Many of us were worried that this would be it for the band, and it was radio silence from them for nigh on two years. Behind the scenes though, the story was vastly different. Mason Hill had been working with a new singer, Tom Ward for around twelve months, and in September 2025 Ward was officially announced by the band as their new singer.

So, what does this mean for Mason Hill, and is Ward a quality replacement for Scott Taylor? Wonder no more, this is a fabulous album, one of the very best of the year and it’s of a remarkably high quality from the opener ‘Burn It Down’ right through to the final song ‘Drag The Chains’. It’s heavier than anything they’ve released before, with perhaps a touch more of an Alternative vibe in places to it than previous music. Ward is a fine vocalist, seemingly comfortable with an array of different styles and believe me he needs to be, because this record is everything you could want from a modern Metal collection. What this band can do is write big songs. Huge songs in fact, many of an arena quality with the likes of ‘Oxygen’ being able to stand toe to toe with anything I’ve heard in the last few years.

‘Resonate’ is also a tremendous song, with its overall heaviness and gruffer than usual vocal leaving it closer to the likes of Asking Alexandria compared to the bands own more recognizable sound. It’s a huge statement of intent and I’m absolutely buzzing to hear Mason Hill do this one live. What’s that, you want something a bit more melodic, more of a ballad? Ok, here’s ’Stay For A Little While’, an insistent piece that nags at your brain and resonates with you the more you listen to it.

Mason Hill are one of those bands that everyone that has heard them loves them. I felt they had a close call in 2021 to being a breakthrough band but it never quite happened for them. I’ve seen them a number of times in the flesh and they have never delivered a set that is less than amazing. There’s been a big buzz about this record and I’m hoping that if there is any justice this album will be the one that allows them to hit the big time. Great songs, great attitude, exemplary musicians and songwriters, these guys have got the lot. Get your tickets for the live shows (some venues are already sold out), I promise you won’t be disappointed. Album of the year? Quite possibly, because in a year of great music it will take something special to dislodge this one from the top of the tree.

SONGS

1. Burn It Down
2. Twisted
3. Hurricane
4. Tainted Wings
5. Stay For A Little While
6. Resonate
7. Without You
8. Silence
9. Oxygen
10. Remember
11. Drag The Chains

BAND

Thomas Ward – Vocals

James Bird – Lead Guitar

Marc Montgomery – Guitar

Matthew Ward – Bass

Craig McFetridge – Drums