ASIN: MR0062MAD1
Label: Matchbox © 2004
Madron are one of those rare groups whose Paganism is worn on their sleeve. Most obviously, Paul Brockman and Nicky Gilbert have named themselves after a Welsh Mother Goddess and/or Sabbat, depending upon your tradition. My own interest was sparked because Madron has been linked with Morgana and, to me, they are one and the same.
Their debut album, 'The Beginning', contains lyrics laden with Pagan references. The eponymously named opening track, 'Madron', erupts as Gilbert's haunting vocals scream out,
- 'I take my oath and now I live and die beside it,
For Madron, I call your name.
For Madron, I serve your name.'
It isn't all directly about Paganism. There are plenty of love ballads too, like 'A Little Sign' and 'Falling'; while another track which stood out for me, 'Hateful Times', challenges the listener not to turn a blind eye to contemporary global issues.
The genre is rock, bordering at times upon Gothic rock. There is a darkness to it that deliciously invokes the mysteries, which by-passes the mind straight to your feet. I've found myself at least tapping my fingers to just about every song on this album, if not giving in to full scale, hair thrashing, legs going dancing. It would sound amazing on a dancefloor and if this is how good they sound over my headphones, I imagine that their live act would be explosive.
Madron are a two-piece band from the New Forest, in Great Britain, who write their own songs and produce their own sounds. More information can be found about them on their website: Madron - Rock from the Forest.