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MADHOUSE “Plead The Fifth”
MADHOUSE “Plead The Fifth”
By Iron Sheik
As I have been laid up for a month in the hospital and now acute rehab (a fancy name for a nursing home) I have had plenty of time to face the harsh reality of a possible amputation that has no real explanation. So in the middle of my downward spiral here comes MADHOUSE. Straight out of Austria their current line-up features Tommy Lovelace on vocals, Mikky Stixx and Thommy Black on guitars, Rickey Dee on bass, and Bobby B Bastard on drums and their new album is “Plead The 5th”. This a piece of great retro heavy metal (I hate the term Hairmetal to no end) from opening track “Midnite Fever” with a great KIX vibe ala “Midnite Dynamite”/”Blow My Fuse”. At moments while listening I thought it actually was KIX. As the album progresses more 80s homage music is in the offing.
Second track “We Run Riot” is a kickass track full of more KIX, HELIX, and dare I say a touch of VIXEN riffs? “Bring On The Night” brings some QUIET RIOT vibes. “Shotgun Rider” is a slow burner in the like department. It is probably their most true MADHOUSE sounding song which is not a far cry from the influences they wear on their sleeves. “Wicked Hearts” is one of my favorites and is another rocking track true to themselves. “Get A Grip” is a real grinding guitar rocking tune. “Live And Tease” is a familiar sounding track with some cool repetitive guitar riffs and break downs.
“It's a Monster In My Head” touches on Dimebag Darrell's notorious riffs that segues into some EXTREME territory. “I'll See You In My Dreams” slows the album down being the ballad. It evokes pretty much any 80s ballad except what I thought might be a Gene Simmons remake to begin with. Thankfully it isn't which makes it an even cooler ballad. “Mad To The Bone” brings back the heavy MOTLEY CRUE “Kickstart My Heart” vibe. “Loveplace” starts out like another ballad that is reminiscent of 80s power ballads, then....It kicks It rocks. It bleeds. “I Die Alone” keeps the energy flowing. “You Got The Tail Down” closes out the album with a catchy grind. A great ending to a great album. At moments, homages to KIX, KISS, DEF LEPPARD, MOTLEY CRUE, LITA FORD, RATT, OZZY, VAN HALEN and other 80s greats are heard. MADHOUSE has really nailed the late 70s early to mid 80s heavy metal sound.
Album after album Madhouse has shown exponential growth. If they keep growing and improving their 80s flavored heavy metal sound they will develop a great following. This album deserves to be noticed. It deserves to be respected like some of the 80s greatest albums are. It is that much heavy rocking fun. It has that much class. Great vocals, great guitar work, great songs, with excellent keyboard interplay all carried by a bottom end that has a swing that is missing from a lot of today's music. “Plead The Fifth” has easily become one of my favorites of 2025 because MADHOUSE is that late summer party you never knew you needed.
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