MAD PARISH – The Dust Of Forever (2025) *HQ*

Known for their unique fusion of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) styles with Progressive Rock and catchy singalong melodies, Montreal, Quebec-based Rock brigade MAD PARISH has been a formidable force in the Canadian heavy music scene for over a decade, culminating now in 2025 with the release of their sophomore opus ”The Dust Of Forever”, a concept album that marks a bold new chapter for the band.
Yeah, MAD PARISH sounds very retro, from songwriting to production, with that classy NWOBHM vibe but also hard rock groove, and a melodic progressive approach similar to Blue Oyster Cult. ”The Dust Of Forever” is a concept album with many short interludes, but you can enjoy the main songs standalone too regardless the story.
The album weaves an original Sci-Fi story through a tapestry of Heavy Metal, following the journey of Joe, an immortal protagonist caught in a universe-threatening cataclysm, promising to transport listeners to another realm, with layered sounds and textures that reveal new aspects with each listen.

The futuristic intro Prophecy will transport you to the world created by Mad Parish in Defecther, starting in a very progressive manner to the classic guitar riffs, while Josh McConnell also fires his slightly Ozzy Osbourne circa 1982 inspired vocals. The band generate a whimsical atmosphere in Possess The Child, blending Progressive Rock and Metal in great fashion; followed by Outerest In Irisius, the first interlude of the album, as ethereal and mystical as the intro, working as the warmup to Ouen Formation, one of the most 70’s-inspired songs of all, in special its vocals, backing vocals and overall pace.
Here we go with another interlude titled Hunted, revving up their engines for Astra T.R.A.Z (Tower Reformatory Asteroid Zone), where they take their progressiveness to a whole new level to the stylish riffs and the striking keys.
Transmission #1 Dream On is joyful and melodic, but it is what the band had in mind to prepare us for Resistius, blending NWOBHM with 70’s Progressive Rock. We then face another interlude, this time titled Aeternal, followed by another classy creation named An Age To Quell, where the twin guitar riffage sounds thrilling until the very end.

Transmission #2 – Will Of God, the second interlude in the form of a transmission, is a Jazz-ish one, setting the tone for Loched, a Rock N’ Roll extravaganza highly inspired by old school Progressive Rock with Josh’s vocals sounding beyond ethereal, not to mention the great Deep Puple-ish keys.
Cathedron Wakes takes off from where the previous song ended, with their riffs and solos adding an extra touch of finesse to the overall result; and the piano in the interlude Book of Rites will captivate your senses before we’re treated to Bishop’s Tomb, boosted by the classic drums by guest Gopal Devanathan, resulting in one of the most electrifying of all songs of the album.
On The Experience Hunter, Bob Eaglesham not only plays the guitar, but he’s also responsible for all keyboards, bass and drums, which is truly impressive. There’s one more interlude to go, entitled Trajectory: Tantus, heightening our senses for The Dust Of Forever, a riff-driven tune with a galloping pace led by the drumming, flowing into the outro Hail To The Hunter, putting an atmospheric, cryptic conclusion to the story.

MAD PARISH is very interesting band offering a quite distinctive music. It’s all managed by themselves, a truly piece of art. There’s also a companion comic book titled The Experience Hunter Chronicles, and plans for a visually stunning live show featuring costumes, set pieces, and special effects.
Fans of retro classic rock, classic metal, Maiden-riffs, progressive ala BOC, even some Camel, should give “The Dust Of Forever” a try, an artsy and very good album full of captivating sounds.
Highly Recommended

01 – Prophecy
02 – Defecther
03 – Possess The Child
04 – Outerest In Irisius
05 – Ouen Formation
06 – Hunted
07 – Astra T.R.A.Z. (Tower Reformatory Asteroid Zone)
08 – Transmission #1 (Dream On)
09 – Resistius
10 – Aeternal
11 – An Age To Quell
12 – Transmission #2 (Will Of God)
13 – Loched
14 – Cathedron Wakes
15 – Book Of Rites
16 – Bishop’s Tomb
17 – Transmission #3 (Baz Raa Luum)
18 – The Experience Hunter
19 – Trajectory Tantus
20 – The Dust Of Forever
21 – Hail To The Hunter

Josh McConnell – lead vocals, guitars, bass
Bob Eaglesham – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, bass
Patrick Latreille – bass
Andre Bisson – keyboards, piano on “Book of Rites”
Paskal Belanger – drums

Guest musicians
Peter Mika – keyboard solo on “Resistius”
Gopal Devanathan – drums on 11, 16, 20
Tony Spina – drums on “Transmission #2 – Will Of God”
Jeff Louch – piano on “Transmission #2 – Will Of God”

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