I HAVE LITTLE TO NO MEMORY OF THESE MEMORIES

The album has one track only. But what a track it is. It is a story and a literal journey to an alien planet and back. This 47'47" track has so many switch-ups, you would expect it wouldn't work as a cohesive unit. But it does and that alone is amazing.

From the first second, I was invested. The vocal harmonies are so cool. From then on, time flew by.

I consider this album a tribute to many artists that shaped our music. Most are related to prog or metal, but I hear others too. I don't have the intention of being complete, but here's a selection of artists I hear odes to: Queen, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Van Halen, Rush, The Police, But I also hear 80s electronics, all kinds of metal influences.

It is almost unbelievable this is all created by one man, Michael Mills. He has been a guest singer on Ayreon records. His singing on this album is stunning too. It's incomprehensible to me he did all the voices himself. He sounds powerful and energetic. But his musicianship is brilliant too. Drums, guitar, keys, it doesn't matter. It all sounds great.

The story is imaginative, funny, and absurd at times. I understand there are two endings to this. I only know the happy one. I am interested to learn about the bad ending too.

How is it possible to switch from metal to 80s pop to electronics to ripping guitar solos to whatever comes next to totally surprise and excite you?

I have listened to many albums from 2022 and I have quite some favorites indeed. But nothing gives me such a great feeling while listening to it as this one from Toehider.

This is a definite 5-star album for me. And my prog album of the year 2022!