7

Here we have a multifaceted quintet, another asset which is - from a stylistical point of view - very hard to pigeonhole. TOXIC SMILE's roots are in Leipzig/Germany - line-up changes during the past years solely occured when it came to the drum part. They once could reach for a major deal with BMG and - in 2001 - even experienced a successfull promotional tour in South Korea. Since the forunner 'Im Your Saviour', released in 2011 on the same label Progressive Promotion Records, they have drummer Robert Eisfeldt on board ... and again a really fruitful outfit is on the way with prolific results.

Well, when looking through their complete discography ... seemingly not appearing like the 7th album in a row the title appears somewhat questionable. However that's artistic freedom, isn't it? I would say TOXIC SMILE are acting like a modern heavy art rock band on '7', where proper metal and even subtle jazz and neo/symph leanings are frequently shimmering through. Hereby Larry B.'s singing voice is a real trademark. The opener From Inside Out appears like a surprise bag really, starting with some fusion sentiment and decent mellotron backing this soon develops on to more metal paths over the course though.

In between they shortly work in some Boston alike AOR sentiment as well as diverse violin impressions - so this indeed is an appropriate exemplar to prove the premature praise. Barfooted Man is mellow and heavy in the same way and provides a real sing along refrain. Love Without Creation comes with some nice saxophone attendance where Rayless Sun is another shouter song featuring heavy organ work, Uwe Reinholz's shredding guitar riffs and some obvious headbanging quality. Including Robert Eisfeldt's bass drum show the tricky Afterglow then arrives as the anticipated climax.

Don't miss to check this out! '7' is a wondrous mixed bag sounding somewhere between a lightweight Dream Theater outfit and a heavier incarnation of The Flower Kings. Kudos to Marek Arnold especially for the varied keyboard work and due to the responsibilty for the compositions. I've listened to so much albums in the meanwhile, but this simply mirrors excellent song writing which is nearly without equal. So consequently my sentiment is that I'm now and here writing about one of the prog highlights released in 2013 - 4.5 stars.