Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review



Mad At The World
Through The Forest



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 41 Minutes, 1 Second
Street Date: 1992


With the release of Through The Forest in 1992, Mad At The World continued the style of their last album, Boomerang, and in some ways, this album could be considered a part II. That's not a terrible thing, though, since Boomerang was what some consider one of their finest projects. This is the first album with an art illustration rather than a picture of the band, and it definitely sets the tone in the first three songs. To explain the front cover and song, "Lost in the Forest," the insert reads, "Life is like the forest; It's full of beauty, mystery, danger and so many paths to choose. We all need a guide to lead us through the forest." -Psalm 119:105

"That Lonesome Road" is an obvious choice for an opening song since it provides a warm opening with an acoustic guitar before setting a faster pace. The song indicates that sometimes people seem to give up and, as the song states, "It feels like Satan is waiting there for me/ he lives on end of this one way street." Next, Randy Rose provides the lead vocals in "Trapped." The song's theme compliments the first song well because it talks about what happens when someone gives up hope and they allow themselves to be controlled by others. The track, "If I Lose My Way," is a very memorable song that suggests that if someone loses his or her direction, God will be there for help. Roger Rose provides a nice ballad that is very poetic and covers the relationship between him and Julia. The song talks about how there was a plan for this relationship as a blessing.

Like "No More Innocence" on their last album, the song "M.A.T.W," the bands' self-titled song from 1987, has been transformed from the techno flavor it once was into a fast-paced hard rock song. It's always interesting to see a band bring another perspective to a song, especially one as unforgettable as this song. "I've Got a Heaven" is probably my favorite Mad At The World ballad of all time. It has a very simplistic rhythm without drums, and yet it's brilliant because it works so well with the subject matter. You can somehow see this song being used for a video when someone leaves this earth to go to Heaven. It's a very honest and heartfelt song that lets everyone know regardless of what happens, "I've got a heaven/ you can't take that away." Randy provides more of his vocals this time around as in "I'll Never Go Back There," and his vocals display the tone needed because of his unique strong vocals, like the late Layne Thomas Staley of Alice in Chains. The album closes with Elvis Presley cover "If I Can Dream," which was written by Walter Earl Brown in 1968.

Through The Forest is not their best album, nor is it as memorable as Boomerang, but it is still quite an accomplishment in MATW's history. Through The Forest is great for fans of most alternative rock music from the early 90s.

- Review date: 10/4/09, written by Wayne Myatt for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 


. Record Label: Frontline Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 41 Minutes, 1 Second
. Street Date: 1992
. Buy It: Amazon.com
  1. That Lonesome Road
  2. Trapped
  3. Lost In The Forest
  4. If I Lose My Way
  5. Always Be My Love
  6. M.A.T.W. (Reprise)
  7. Alone
  8. I've Got A Heaven
  9. I'll Never Go Back There
  10. If I Can Dream

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan Resurrection Power - EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure (2025 Remaster) [Resuscitation]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Hulvey HE WILL RETURN - EP [Reach]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
VaShawn Mitchell SOUNDCHECK [Fair Trade]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
The Band JAREN Poetic - Single [Hit and Run]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
EJ Swavv & Jericko Love Like This - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
goodwill. REST - Single [Syntax]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mat Kearney Good Old Days - Single (independent)
Kelo Car Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas I Need You (ft. IsaiahLaRoi) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro No Place - Single [Syntax]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea Breakthrough - Single [DREAM]
Razzie & Glenn Ray Second Chances - Single [Syntax]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Wayne Klassik HOLY HOLY HOLY - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)
Unseen Faith Cold Resolve - Single [Rottweiler Records]
Kim Zamolo Your Ways Are Higher - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images