Hailing from central Missouri, Mad Existence steps into the spotlight with their self-proclaimed reality-bending presence and their debut offering, “Until We Are Ghosts.” Billing themselves as a mirror into the present, blending everything from metalcore to pop-punk, their bio sets a lofty expectation. What we find on “Until We Are Ghosts” is certainly an honest reflection, though not yet polished or ready for release. It’s a collection that showcases genuine flashes of brilliance, tempered by the rawness of a band still finding its studio footing.
Musically, Mad Existence has some seriously strong foundations. Tracks like “Liquidity” and “11th Hour” stand out with their catchy, well-crafted chord progressions and melodic ideas, proving the band’s songwriting chops are undeniable. They’re not afraid to jump genres, with “Subis and Ipas” demonstrating a commendable fusion of alternative rock and emo. A consistent highlight throughout the entire release is the drumming; it’s tight, on point, and easily the most consistently polished element of their sound – seriously, do not let that drummer go!
The band’s vocal approach, however, presents a more varied picture. While there are moments of honest, emotionally available clean vocals, they frequently struggle to sit effectively within the mix and often battle with timing. Crucially, the vocalist truly shines in their screamed delivery, which carries far more impact and conviction. Leaning into this strength could significantly elevate their sound. Similarly, the guitars offer glimpses of incredible melodic work and interesting tones, particularly on tracks like “Burn,” but these are sometimes hampered by dissonant choices.
The most pressing issue holding back “Until We Are Ghosts” is undoubtedly timing. From the moment an enthusiastic “One, Two, Three, Four!” on “Subis and Ipas” is immediately followed by instruments coming in out of sync, it’s clear this is a pervasive problem. Throughout the album, inconsistencies in timing – whether within the vocals, guitars, or the band as a whole – frequently pull the listener out of an otherwise engaging performance. On tracks like “Adelaide,” where vulnerability is key, these issues are particularly jarring, undermining the emotional impact and making many songs feel just a touch out of sync with their full potential. This is the fundamental hurdle that needs to be cleared.
While timing is the primary concern, the overall production and mixing also need significant attention. The sound quality is consistently low-fidelity, often coming across as muddy or boxy, and individual elements struggle to breathe in the mix. This isn’t about personal aesthetic preference; it’s about a lack of clarity that diminishes the songs’ impact and makes them sound more like rough demos than a fully realized album. A professional approach to mixing would elevate these tracks immensely.
Ultimately, “Until We Are Ghosts” feels less like a finished album and more like an extensive, highly promising demo. The songwriting is there, the talent is there, and the ambition is certainly there. However, the pervasive timing issues are the biggest hurdle, closely followed by the unrefined production. Our blunt advice? Mad Existence, you’ve got something genuine. Prioritize tightening up those performances – especially the timing – and then invest in a professional mix, or learn to self mix much more professionally. You’ve got something real here; it just needs a bit more time out of the spectral realm and into a fully realized existence.
