I must say that, having previously reviewed pMad’s single Sisters, I jumped at the chance to review his new album Who? Why? Where? What?

Coming from Ireland, pMad is the solo project of singer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Dillon and Who? Why? Where? What? is his debut album, released on 29/11/2022 …. and what an album it is!

With influences from bands such as The Cure, The Sisters Of Mercy, Sonic Youth and The The, pMad mixes dark wave, post punk, alternative rock, and gothic rock as well as some of his own originality to create a sound that is uniquely his.

The album consists of eight original tracks and five further remixes and really is a nostalgic trip back in time, albeit with a modern twist.

Paul’s vocals are deep yet beautiful, monotone at times, but they certainly reach out and grab you. The back up vocals, when used, compliment his voice perfectly and using slight distortion on Paul’s voice at times only adds to the depth of the tracks.

The electronic synths throughout are what gives the album its 80’s goth sound and pulsating drumbeats keeps the album upbeat. There is a strong bass presence throughout the album with some funky basslines and solos coming through and crashing guitars are mixed with heavy riffs, once again using distortion as an addition to further enhance the already immaculate musicianship.

The album is an introspective look at himself, including his own failings but is also, on a wider scale, a look into how we are destroying our planet, and ourselves. I’ve said many times before that music is a terrific way to spread a message and Paul really has done an excellent job with this, the album really making you sit up and listen.

Having previously been described as a “colossal and passionate alternative dark brooding alt rock artist,” this really does come across in this album as there is an intense passion throughout.

I can think of many words to describe this album and eclectic, eccentric, interesting and intriguing are just a few of them. The listener is kept engaged throughout as he just never knows what is coming next. The tracks are perfectly placed, and the timing and pacing is done wonderfully well.

I really cannot fault this album in any way and if I were to give it a score out of ten, it would undoubtedly be a ten!

A wonderful album that I urge everyone to go and listen to! I really don’t think you will be disappointed!

Track Listing:

1 Who Am I

2 Broken

3 Medicine

4 Except Me

5 Sisters

6 Youth

7 Horror

8 I Am

9 Who Am I (pMad remix)

10 Youth (MeMory remix)

11 Sisters (extended Keira version)

12 Horror (hoMe mix)

13 I Am (Me remix)

This review is purely the property of The Metal Asylum