Mason Hill’s Against The Wall: arena-ready rock that proves the power of peristence

Scottish rockers Mason Hill finally release their assured debut album. Fans of Alter Bridge and Shinedown apply here

Mason Hill’s Against The Wall
(Image: © 7HZ Recordings)

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Scott Taylor and James Bird have shared rock star dreams since meeting as schoolmates. Such aspirations seemed lost when business issues torpedoed the positive response to the Glaswegians’ first EP, but seven years later Mason Hill are back with a full- length debut that proves they’re the real deal. The dozen tunes featured on Against The Wall are riven with references to fortitude and self-belief, but it’s the music that really does the talking. The excellent DNA is powered by enough energy to light up the national grid, but the album’s most rewarding moments are less frenzied, and Scott, an unabashed disciple of Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy, can really sell a song. That’s handy, as Mason Hill have them in abundance.

Dave Ling

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.