‘Game-changing Hardcore’ – album review of Mad Dog’s “Til’ I Die”

Earlier this year I thought to myself, wasn’t it time for Mad Dog to release a new collection of tracks?! Upon this thought, one can only imagine the thrill I felt when word got out that the Italian Hardcore legend was going to release a brand-new album. That very excitement was met by some pretty impressive previews and eventually an album that I’m going to have a hard time not being biased about as the thrill of all that excitement has been met by far. Mad Dog, You never disappoint, do you?!

If you don’t like this album, you might find this review to be a big pile of propaganda similar to Kim Jong Un’s regime, but read on and you shall find out why I consider this to be one of the best albums, not just this year, but for the coming years. Let’s embark on a review of a handful of my favourite tracks.

#3. I Don’t Give a Fuck About (Feat. MC Syco)

The energy in this track is amazing! With cocky vocals performed by MC Syco and a climactic melody that reminds of the good ole days of Italian Hardcore, this track is a smasher. The main drop even contains a remixed classic melody that any die-hard fan will reckon in an instant.

#6. Bring The Hardcore

The intro of this track gets me going every time; right from the get-go it has that true Hardcore spirit. Raw influenced kicks were somewhat controversial just a few years ago, but I’d like to see those nay-sayers now. The bassline in this piece is so brutal it’s hard to sit still whilst hearing this monster in one’s earphones. I have to add that the climax is such an original piece of work here, Hardcore at its best!

#12. XTC

Pure madness. That’s all this track is and it’s so damn well done that I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to hear it live. The build-up, in true Mad Dog aura, is quenched by truly massive drops, leaving me with nothing but pure Hardcore energy pounding through my headphones

#14. Wait And Bleed (Feat. Dave Revan)

Not only did Mad Dog and Dave Revan unleash an incredible Dominator anthem this year, but towards the end of the album we find a metal-influenced beast that made this reviewer go all out at his latest gym session.

#15. Down For The Core (Feat. Rob Gee)

What’s more Hardcore than Rob Gee? Oh I don’t know, perhaps adding some Frenchcore to a track. Yep you read that right, for our final track of the album we actually get to hear some French kicks – what a way for this album to go out with a bang.

Let’s not forget that Mad Dog together with Dave Revan had the honour of producing this year’s Dominator anthem. A production that exceeded the anticipation of many of us, a track that stands worthy next to the legendary ‘Nirvana of Noise’ anthem by the Art of Fighters for Dominator’s 2011 edition.

Ever since Mad Dog previewed his track ‘Dogfight,’ I’ve had this feeling that Mad Dog simultaneously listened to the barking sound of a dog in order to produce a kick that nearly resembles the horrifying sound of a yelling dog. I thought it was a mere coincidence at the time, but almost every track in the album has this feeling. I guess to some degree it’s a bit of a placebo on my end, but it is an incredible element to this album regardless and it’s a fitting element to the image of the ‘Mad Dog’.

As I mentioned before there were some dope previews, all of which posted all over Mad Dog’s social media. This marketing tactic worked very well, I saw them being posted in Facebook groups by people writing about how sick the videos were. Truly a great tactic for getting the news of the album out there. Normally I’m not a fan of well-played out marketing tactics, but these videos are actually really mind-boggling to look at.

Overall

In a way I kind of feel like Mad Dog is showing what Hardcore is all about. It’s invigorating to see an album that defines Hardcore like this and together with his so well presented image throughout the album I gotta say that this album truly met the expectations I had well and beyond. His album ‘Rudeness’ set the bar really high, but this album sets it even higher and I’m going to enjoy listening to all of these tracks for many years to come. Mad Dog has stepped up his game, and with him steering the helms for the endshow performance this year at Dominator I’m guessing we will have to wait until then to see the endgame of this gamechanger. This album is truly a masterpiece and therefore worth the listen!

We rate it 10/10.