Review: MASON – Edge of Destruction

Eönian Records – September 25^th, 2026

Reviewer – Jason Hopper

With just a bit over twelve months since their last release, MASON have returned to the scene with their third album ‘Edge of Destruction‘. I am usually a bit wary when a band assembles an album so quickly after a prior release, fearing the song constructions to be a bit rushed with weak melodies.  I’m happy to report that lead member Marcus Mason put this album together so quickly due to the numerous fantastic ideas he had in the construction of these songs.  This is their strongest album to date.

If you have yet to hear the recent single, ‘This Thing Called Love’, I would implore you to check it out ASAP.  It’s one of the catchiest AOR songs of the year, featuring the great Steve Overland on background vocals, adding to a harmonized chorus that is exquisite.

Similar to their last album ‘Seconds To Impact‘ (review here), this album is  AOR on the lighter side, with a few more rockin’ tunes to change things up a bit and prevent the album from being sonically monotonous. I’ll start with the lighter material as those tracks are some of my favorites.

Both ‘Heart In Vain’ and ‘More Than I Can Say’ share a similar cadence with Danger Danger’s classic track ‘Don’t Walk Away’. They have a sultriness that is irresistible, especially ‘Heart In Vain’, with its harmonious chorus and slight melancholy aura. A therapeutic track for anyone who has had their heart broken.

‘Stranger In Bloom’ has an enticing opening, with a bit of saxophone and aeolian keyboards setting the mode for a dreamlike tone that pulls you in with its hypnotic undercurrent. Nothing flashy here, relying on aura to evoke an intrinsic response that grabs you like a hook. I was lost in its mysticism.

While those are standouts, I like an album that can offer a generous balance of rhythms. For the more rockin’ tracks, my go to is ‘Living By A Heartbeat’. As intense as AOR can get before going into the hard rock realm. The urgency of the vocals and melody had me nodding along and wishing that I heard this track for the first time while driving. I soon corrected that matter and I can confirm this is a great song to drive to on the highway.

‘Hanging By A Thread’ has some standout keys as the main melody in the opener and the chorus.  Marcus’ vocal spacing and the way he sails over the music are fantastic, making the song a standout.  ‘What You Need From Me’ falls somewhere in the middle of these two rockers, taking the best elements from those songs to make a belter of a track.

I noted in my review of their previous album that it sounded raw and a bit underproduced. I’m happy to report the sonics here have noticeably improved. There’s a nice balance to the instruments in the mix.

The only critique I have here is a swap of the instrumental for one more banger of a tune to even out the heavier/lighter fare of melodies. I’m glad to report MASON continue their upward trajectory. I was hoping for big things when I heard the first single and this release delivered.  A collection of terrific tracks on an album that has been played numerous times over the past week.  Preorder and buy with confidence. I can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Track List:

1. Here I Am
2. Hanging By A Thread
3. This Thing Called Love
4. Living By A Heartbeat
5. Heart In Vain
6. What You Need From Me
7. Friends (Instrumental)
8. Stranger In Bloom
9. Tomorrow Never Comes
10. Time Slipping Away
11. More Than I Could Say
12. Eye 4 An Eye

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