Mason Hill guitarist and founder James Bird has fire in his eyes and conviction in his voice when he talks about the new chapter his band are about to embark on.
“It feels like a brand new start,” he says. “We’ve taken all the things we’ve learned and done to this point and stepped them up. I can genuinely say that this isn’t just a better version of Mason Hill, it’s the best version.”
Five years after they scored a Top 20 album with 2021 acclaimed debut album ‘Against the Wall’, Mason Hill are re-entering the fray with renewed intent and a brilliant new album, the pulsating ‘World So Wonderful’. But while the new record bears all the classic Mason Hill hallmarks – not least massive riffs, blockbusting choruses and utterly modern rock dynamics – it feels like a huge step forward for the Glasgow-based band.
There’s a reason for this. While the core of Mason Hill is the same as the band that made ‘Against the Wall’ – James plus guitarist Marc Montgomery, bassist Matt Ward and drummer Craig McFetridge – ‘World So Wonderful’ marks the debut of new singer Tom Ward, whose versatile voice brings different dimensions to Mason Hill’s signature sound as he switches from emotive whisper to arena-rattling power in a heartbeat.
“We’re still Mason Hill, but in some ways it feels like we’re a brand new band,” says James of their new configuration. “With Tom in the line-up, we’ve got a new energy.”
“Coming into this band at this point has been a dream,” adds Tom. “We hit it off from the start, and we discovered we’ve brought new things out in each other as writers. The songs we’ve written so far are just amazing.”
“There have been times over the years when we weren’t even sure we’d be able to keep on being a band,” says James. “Even just before Tom came in, we were so close to saying, ‘Well, we tried, but let’s call it a day.’ But there’s a stubbornness and determination and passion in us that has kept us going.”.
These new songs don’t just mark the start of what James calls “a brand new writing partnership”, they kick off the beginning of a new era for Mason Hill. After all the storms they’ve weathered and triumphs they achieved, this is a band who have stepped up and are ready for the next stage of their journey.
“It feels like a turning point,” says Tom of this new chapter, of which he’s a key part. “We’re super-hungry for it.”
Recorded with co-producer Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow) in his North London studio, and with striking artwork by Costin Chioreanu (Ghost, At the Gates, Wardruna), ‘World So Wonderful’ is the sound of Mason Hill taking a giant leap forward.
“All the good stuff and the bad stuff, I’m glad it happened in a sense,” adds James. “Because without it we wouldn’t be in this place we’re in right now, talking about songs like Remember, which I couldn’t be more excited about. We’re so ready to get back out there. This is who we are now. This is Mason Hill.”
Condition: NEW
Brand: 100% Officially Licensed - Mason Hill 'World So Wonderful' (Black) Pull Over Hoodie printed on a cotton garment.
Neckline: Hooded
Fit: Regular Fit
Sleeve Type: Long Sleeves
Material: Cotton
Colour: Black Garment
Garment Care: Machine wash at 30 degrees, wash inside out, don't bleach, dry low, don't iron decoration
