MAD AS A HATTER

The third and perhaps last studio album from SHADOWLAND. It's been ten years since this was released and Karl Groom is certainly busy with THRESHOLD. One thing I don't like about this record at times are the drums, too bombastic, taking away (in my opinion) from the music.

Highlights for me are "Mephisto Bridge" opening with keyboards and featuring some great guitar melodies. I love the guitar melody with vocals 6 minutes in. "Flatline" is a song about dying and has some beautiful guitar playing in it. I can see why Karl formed a band like THRESHOLD, where he can just be so creative with his guitar. "The Burning" is a great song with synths and a terrific chorus. There is some scorching guitar in this one as well. The final song "Salvation Comes" is an inspirational, uplifting tune with more great guitar playing and check out the choir on this one that includes Damian Wilson,Tracy Hitchings and Martin Orford among others.

I give this one 3.5 stars and prefer it over their debut "Ring of Roses".