FAREWELL

The album title is dedicated to the fact that co-founder Uwe Reinholz (guitar) ultimately decided to quit. This is not meant as the last sign of life concerning the whole band though, which the cover art might imply like being broken up literally. So be it, coming and going, applicable to nearly all the aspects in everyday life. In the meanwhile Marek Arnold and his band mates have found Stephan Pankow to move up. And, to make it clear, this album does not sound like an elegy, that's for sure.

By the way, 'album' might not be a suitable notation for a one track production with 42 minutes playing time maybe, or what? But who cares? While missing any subtitles here, we have a progressive rock suite in best TOXIC SMILE tradition. Hereby the line-up is completely different to Marek's other band SEVEN STEPS TO THE GREEN DOOR, and stylistically this is more from the heavier side of life overall of course. Though not missing a symphonic touch, it all initiates with a string quartet, soon gliding into some neo progressive feel, but then Uwe Reinholz and the rhythm branch are starting all engines.

Yet again this is a versatile experience, definitely. Everything a prog fan's heart desires. Twists and turns, Larry B's fine vocals, empathic and slightly raw, charming melodic parts, heavy outbursts featuring slicing guitar riffs, jazzy impressions including piano and saxophone, diverse instrumental solos ... and so on. 'When I listen to the people and close my eyes ...' - the main theme, which holds the song together, will keep indoors sooner or later. A really fine arrangement, released on the Progressive Promotion Records label this certainly is a worthwhile purchase.

German band TOXIC SMILE was formed back in 1996, and is among the veterans of the German progressive rock scene. From 2001 and onward they have released new material at a fairly steady pace, and have five studio productions to their name as of now. "Farewell" is their most recent outing, released by Progressive Promotion Records towards the tail end of 2015.

There aren't too many albums around that consist of a single, epic-length composition, even in this age of musical plenty, and Toxic Smile's addition to that list is a worthwhile one indeed. Mainly alternating between various forms of progressive rock and progressive metal, this is a varied, sophisticated, but also compelling and accessible creation, delivering enough details to keep the busiest brain going but also seeing to it that the themes and motifs used don't stray too far into the challenging territories. This is quality progressive metal of the kind that should have a fairly wide general appeal, despite clocking in at a bit over 42 minutes.

In 2015 Toxic Smile returned with their next studio album (which is also currently the most recent, although as I know they were performing at a festival only last weekend so don't read anything into the title). Although the band themselves were the same line-up as the last album, this time they brought in a string ensemble to broaden the sound even further. I also see that Martin Schnella helped out with backing vocals as well as mixing and mastering the album (Martin of course plays with Marek in Seven Steps To The Green Door). Unlike all their other albums, this is not a series of songs, but instead has been released as just one 42-minute-long number. Thematically, it deals with the philosophical point of view that the sense of hearing is better suited to perceive the world than the sense of seeing. The 'Hearer' cam rather delve into the essence of things, penetrate deeper than the 'Seer' who only scratches the surface and is blind to everything that lies beneath.

Musically, this all that I would expect from Toxic Smile, with great depth, presence and dynamics. Uwe is a guitarist of the very finest order, and in Marek he has found a real soul mate. There are very few guitar/keyboard partnerships that really stand the test of time, and while Lord/Blackmore and Hensley/Box are often put out there as fine examples, in reality they didn't last that many years together whereas at this point they had been recording for some fifteen years and have been together nearly 20. Add to that the wonderful bassist that is Robert Brenner (who on this release also provides the artwork), and one of the very best singers around in Larry B., one can only hope that drummer Robert Eisfeldt lasts longs than the previous incumbents.

This is a an epic piece, in format as well as length, yet is always incredibly accessible and enjoyable. There is no doubt in my mind that Toxic Smile are one of the finest prog bands to come out of Europe, and I look forward to the next release with interest. Mind you, I'm not too sure when that is going to be as Marek is already talking to me about the next SSTTGD album, which will be out later this year, so maybe after that? I really hope so.