Toehider is an Australian project by singer Mike Mills, active since 2008 with several albums to his credit. Michael has collaborated as a singer with Ayreon and toured with Devin Townsend. The artist’s eccentric style is also enhanced on the new album “I Have Little To No Memory of These Memories” released on September 9, 2022 via Bird’s Robe Records. Consisting of one long track of over 47 minutes in the form of a modern and highly elaborate Rock Opera, it details the history of the characters through accurate lyrics. The entire record is composed and performed by Mike Mills, except for the super heavy section towards the end, which was written and played by Nick Delaney. Heavy and Metal traits are mixed with Progressive Rock, creating a sound that combines tradition with a fresh, modern style that is distinctly personal. Interwoven guitars and keyboards, from which a wide range of sounds emerge, show that the artist has many valuable ideas. The rhythm sections that follow one another are solid, elaborate with bass lines that flesh out the sound and drumming that evolves as the work develops. Intense and highly involving from start to finish, this 47-minute track is an ambitious project but one that enhances the artist’s compositional and excutive technique. Symphonic openings, melodic and delicate passages alternate with tempo changes that bring the sound towards the most modern and up-to-date Progressive Metal sounds. Mike is adept at playing a wide range of instruments, all with a very high level of technique, creating a sound that is constantly evolving, very articulate and never static. The vocal parts that alternate choral refrains that hark back to the 70s, to solo stanzas that show Mike as a singer with a dynamic voice that interprets the lyrics with intensity. Engaging, delicate and heavy at the same time, symphonic and technical, an album that encompasses all the characteristics of Progressive Rock and Metal, halfway between tradition and innovation thanks to the artist’s personal and original style. This is recommended listening for all lovers of Prog sounds of any era, as it encompasses retro and modern elements skilfully mixed that will capture the attention of a very wide audience. A succession of emotions for 47 minutes, with the entire length exploited to express the musical concept of Toehider, which confirms itself as a very interesting project with innovative and original ideas. In my opinion, a masterpiece, and one of the best record releases of 2022, to be listened to again and again, as it contains many interesting ideas and insights that can be grasped with each listening, always reserving new emotions for us.
Tracklist
01. The Hoarder (single version) (03:13)
02. I Have Little To No Memory of These Memories (47:47)
Lineup
Music / Mike Mills
Art / Andrew Saltmarsh