Gene Madoc and the gorgeous psychedelic terror management of "Revelation's Dog"

photo by tom hannigan // "Can you ever really tell if you think for yourself? / I feel the doubt in every meaning..."

The gorgeous psychedelic terror management of "Revelation's Dog" by Cardiff, Wales psychedelic folk artist / songwriter Gene Madoc, and the title track from his debut album that just dropped in February, has a vast blended core rock aesthetic deep diving in the human condition. Listening to the pristine acoustic guitar, the down home yet grand orchestrations, the wanderlustful sense of purpose, the rolling bass and drums AND especially Madoc's vocal countenance that feels wistful, dreamily romantic and somewhat melancholy or pained as stirred by his own appropriate levels of existential dread. 

As I listen on repeat, absorbing the sound and historical sweep I thought of different vibes and artistic sweeps (specific and wide), ostensibly spiritual, artistic attitudinal connections to 60's (early 70's) psychedelic / glam indie stalwarts like T. Rex / Syd Barrett and mid to late aughts artists like Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) / Foxwarren (Andy Shauf) sort of bridged together by mid to 70's art folk pop artists like Al Stewart. While this might make absolute sense to me, it might make little sense to you but whatever the case, I hope it sends you on a journey of discover as I peer around corners at "Revelation's Dog". 

LYRICS

Can you ever really tell if you think for yourself?

I feel the doubt in every meaning
Crave the simplicity of faith
But I can't be subject
Yet this bird must at some point set down
As I edge closer to a truth the more I feel like a fool
And yet I'm scared of hiding from it
What's this world made for?
And who's it meant to appease?
Is this patience or stupidity?

I feel the heaviness of frustration
Though I know what's not good for me
Is this temperament truly fixed?
Tell me
What's the use of revelation if it's only making me sick?

See a society of ease and I bite my tongue
I'm fully in the mould
I don't wanna be myself
I wanna be more
Their only power's in the way that they sneer
But it's only in my head
Is it in yours too?
We can learn far too much
Oh what a funny place to be
To be so far afloat
And to be where you've always been

I feel the heaviness of frustration
Though I know what's not good for me
Is this temperament truly fixed?
Won't you tell me?
What's the use of revelation if it's only making me sick?
If it's only making me sick
If it's only making me sick

I guess l'm revelation's dog
I guess I'm revelation's dog
I guess I'm revelation's dog

LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed):

[Revelation’s Dog is the debut album from Welsh psychedelic folk artist & songwriter Gene Madoc. With literary & cinematic influences at the heart of his songwriting, Madoc’s influences range from Rodriguez & Weyes Blood to Kafka & Murakami.]

[Of his debut album he says, “There’s a lot of emphasis on self-help & commoditised revelation in the present culture, so I found myself exploring that on this album and taking aim at the trappings of it. How circular and, if one isn’t careful, how indoctrinating a lot of it can be.”]

[“Most of the songs were written while sat in the window seen in the album artwork between Oct 2024 & May 2025, then recorded in two 14-hour studio sessions at the end of last year. I was intent on shunning heavy production and, being influenced by the directness of folk-revival records, I wanted to record this LP live over the course of two 14-hour sessions to preserve a lyrical emphasis & achieve a raw spontaneity. Not wanting anywhere to hide behind production adornments, I sought the sort of intensity that limited time & takes help to bring about.”]

-Robb Donker Curtius





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THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2uC2dAFRZXvrQOJ1e9HVZ1

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCikC5A7xAxQJ_s0_8bwb4yQ

https://genemadoc.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/genemadoc


Gene Madoc is a self-produced singer, songwriter, and multi-disciplinary artist from Cardiff. With literary & cinematic influences at the heart of his songwriting, Madoc invites comparisons to Rodriguez, Syd Barrett, and Weyes Blood.

Exploring the trappings of modernity & alienation, the influence of such writers as Kafka and Murakami is imbued in his existential lyricism.

Shunning glossy production in favour of a raw spontaneity, his tracks are recorded mostly live in the spirit of revival-era folk records.

His debut album 'Revelation's Dog' is due for release on 19th February 2026.

Gene Madoc, indie rock, folk, indie folk, psychedelic music, glam, new age, bohemian rock, romance wave, "Revelation's Dog" album, Cardiff Wales, modernity and alienation, classic rock, iconic psych folk,