MADHOUSE - Plead The Fifth (Album Review)

The New Generation

Back in the heyday of Heavy metal, you had the Big Four. Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. In Glam Metal (Hair Metal if you like that term), you had Poison, RATT, Motley Crue and Warrant. The times have changed…or have they? The bands we all grew up on may be out on nostalgia tours, drawing crowds and still stating they are from the streets of L.A. But now, if you want that scene once again, one must look across the big blue pond, because on the other side, it is alive and thriving well.

Plead The Fifth, released to the public on July 11^th on Rock of Angels Records, is the fourth album from the Austrian band Madhouse. Full of gritty riffs, anthemic choruses, and pure, unapologetic, in-your-face attitude, Madhouse joins the members of the new “Big Four” in the world of rock. Everyone knows HEAT, Crazy Lixx, and Hardcore Superstar, but Madhouse proves on Plead The Fifth that they also deserve a top spot in the echelon of newer bands, and to be a huge part of the new Big Four. Madhouse shows the aging bands of the L.A. scene that what they started will be continued, and will be done with complete respect. Madhouse will remain to pick up that flag and conquer the youth of the next generation.

A Quick History

Madhouse, formed in 2017 by guitarist Mikky Stixx when numerous musicians gathered and bonded over the mutual love of bands like RATT, Motley Crue and Skid Row. Tommy Lovelace, Tommy Black, Ricky Dee and lastly Bobby B. Bastard make a sound together that is gritty and unmistakably pure guttural Hard Rock. With unapologetic attitude and determination in 2019, Money Talks and Bullshit Walks came out and demanded the attention of all hard rock fans. Their follow-up, Bad Habits, shows growth in the band’s skills but without losing the attitude Madhouse has become known for. Growing their sound further was Down and Dirty, which came out in 2022 and stays true in proving that rock is indeed alive and well and what these boys do best.

Now it’s 2025, and Plead The Fifth is a true anthemic record that is a glam/hard rock masterpiece. A true 10/10 album that won’t disappoint the hardest of critics. With songs like “Midnight Fever” kicking things off, to “Wicked Hearts”, the first five tracks of Plead the Fifth will leave you gasping for more. No worries about that, however. You still have eight more tracks to enjoy.

Plead The Fifth

Plead the Fifth comes in with 13 tracks and is about 51 minutes of pure adrenaline music that drips with the sweat of the ’80s Hard rock heroes we all love and revere. The one spot on the album that might make people wonder is the cover version of the GIANT classic, “I’ll See You In My Dreams”. I think this is a track that fits Madhouse perfectly. Tommy Lovelace’s vocals and his scratchy vocal style (reminiscent of Stephen Pearcy to many) fit this song to a tee. With an almost ethereal sound to it all, it’s perfectly done by all members, showing that Madhouse isn’t just a one-trick pony.

One thing about Madhouse is that they always make their fan base wonder what’s next. Let their stand-alone single of “Time Warp”, prove that. Also, a great single by the way!

One can say that Plead the Fifth might be a typical album with the normal formula of hard rockers with a ballad tossed in just to appease (or bring in) the ladies. I say not at all. All the members stay true to what they believe in. They don’t get told what to do or say. They are the band they wanted to be, and don’t apologize for being the band they want to see themselves.

Psychotic Thoughts

This is already my top album of 2025, and it would take something VERY special to knock it off the top, and I can honestly say I’m doubtful that will happen. So run, don’t walk to your local record store, jump online to your playlists or wherever else you get your music because this album is a solid 10 out of 10, and any hard rock fan should 100% have this as part of their permanent collection.

Until next time…keep on supporting new music, and play it LOUD AND PROUD!!