Scott's Song by Song #48: Mihrax - Medley of a Life (EP)

 To be posted to Facebook later in the day on 10/8/25

Welcome to issue #48 of Scott’s Song by Song (#scottssongbysong). For more information about this series, click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/Gc2VkwHQWGLdeaDd/?mibextid=oFDknk

Today I’ll be revisiting a relatively new German band who’s second album I reviewed back in April of this year, Mihrax.  They have come out with a new release which is actually an EP, called “Medley of a Life.”  It’s my understanding that all of the songs are a part of a song cycle about the different stages of a person’s life that is in 5 parts.  I’ll note each stage as I review that track.  I’ll also link my earlier review with the Links for Listening, below, which contains info about the band.

This review came to me as a result of my association with Anne-Claire Rollo's Bad Dog Promotions.  She provided me with a download of the music in exchange for the review. As always, there is no other compensation, and "I call it like I hear it".  This is a cold listen.

Here is the line-up:

- Boris Elfert / vocals

- Thomas Graef / bass

- Tobias Graef / keyboards

- Andreas Wittwer / drums

- Thorsten Schlüter / guitars

With:

- Jan Schollhammer / saxophone

Track 1 - First Steps (3:41)

This part obviously refers to birth and childhood.  It begins with a synth note. There is a subtle rhythm underneath then we hear a newborn’s cry. The synth music is peaceful and hopeful.  Bori’s vocals enter at approximately the halfway point.  He is singing as the child, figuring out the world around him.  This is a very tender opening to the suite.

Track 2 - Die Another Day (8:44)

An upbeat synth rhythm starts us into the teenage years. The full band kicks in by 30 seconds.  The feel here is like an 80s synthpop movie soundtrack.  The rhythms are syncopated with parts where the guitar is on the offbeats while the rest of the band is on the downbeats. As we approach the 2-minute mark there is an intricate ascending run in unison.  The first verse joins in afterward.  There are nice subtle backing vocals.  The feel changes before the three-minute mark and the guitar gets the melodic spotlight.  Then the keys step out front.  These aren’t really “solos”, just an instrumental break.   After 4 minutes the music gets a little more intense, as the feeling of teen angst comes through.   At around 5:25, the tempo cuts to half time and the synth takes the lead, with alternating sections of the original tempo.  Just before 7 minutes there is a slower section and there is a gentle guitar solo.  Nice harmonies around 7:40 as the vocals return.   The section ends with the lyric “My clock is ticking” and a clock ticking sound effect.  Good track.  Thorsten Schlüter follows with a strong guitar solo which includes some EVH-style tapping.  

Track 3 - Jigsaw of Life (5:40)

This section is about young adulthood.  This is at a moderately slow tempo with a bit of a menacing sound at the opening. I guess becoming an adult is a bit scary.  I like the funky groove after 1:30. At 2:10 there is a true synth solo from Tobias Graef that is smokin’!  A bridge with some jazzy chords follows.  At 4:00 Jan Schollhammer plays the guest soprano sax solo, which is quite nice.  This track has a lot of fusion qualities.  Thorsten Schlüter follows with a strong guitar solo which includes some EVH-style tapping.  This is my favorite section, thus far.

Track 4 - Closed Circle (4:52)

This section about late adulthood begins with dreamy sounding arpeggios on a staccato synth tone and a wash behind it.  Thomas Graef plays some nice fretless bass riffs before the full band establishes a rhythm. Boris comes in with an impressive, sustained note.  I like the sudden shift at around 2:45. The tempo for much of this track is mostly at a moderately slow pace.  There are some instrumental features as the track comes to a close. 

Track 5 - Peace (3:16)

This final section is about the death of our subject after a long, full life.  Serene synth chords start us off here.  The ticking clock motif returns at around 1:30. Tobias switches to piano as the vocals begin.  Our character seems to be saying goodbye to his loved ones.  A sound implying an EKG alarm goes off and we end with a flat-line tone.  A sad but fitting conclusion to the suite.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

If you read my earlier review or are aware of Mihrax, you’ll know that Tobias Graef is the bandleader and primary composer. A quick check of the Bandcamp page lets me know that while Tobias wrote the music, Boris Elfert wrote the lyrics.  I think the pair of them did a good job of realizing their vision.  The suite takes us through the various stages of a person’s life effectively.  I do think, however, that the nature of the project, the musicians are a bit more restrained in their playing with the exception of track 3.  While I prefer “Rox” a bit more, this is still a strong effort, and I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.   Check out the “Links for Listening” below.

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Prog On!

Scott

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LINKS FOR LISTENING:

The whole EP is available for listening on the band’s webpage, along with a link to order the CD:

https://mihrax.de/musik/

It can also be heard and purchased in various formats on the Bandcamp page:

https://mihrax.bandcamp.com/album/medley-of-a-life

The full EP is in a YouTube playlist as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6oElxknj0&list=OLAK5uy_nk5pe5Qy6HfPdLzmlEKzITIidxccwORts

And here is my earlier review of “Rox”:

https://scottssongbysongandspotlights.blogspot.com/2025/05/scotts-song-by-song-29-mihrax-rox.html