THE BEAST

After the success of last year’s critically acclaimed sessions with Stick Men, which produced Andy Toomey’s daring progressive rock EP Perseus Calling , the Jacksonville, Florida-based songwriter was eager to push creative boundaries once again. This time, the lineup included legendary drummer Zach Alford—known for his work with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, The B-52’s, and The Psychedelic Furs—joining forces with Stick Men guitarist Markus Reuter, setting the stage for a unique and spontaneous recording experience.

Faced with a last-minute studio window, Toomey and the team made the bold decision to forgo traditional preparation and write the material entirely in the studio. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s WAY outside my comfort zone,” Toomey admits. “Given the costs of professional production, coming in cold was an even riskier venture than usual. Thankfully, Markus is a consummate improviser, and his encouragement gave me the confidence to go with it. I’m so very glad I did!”

The resulting EP, Masterpiece , is a testament to that fearless approach. Recorded over a single weekend in August with renowned engineer Scott Petito at the helm, the band laid down the backing tracks on Saturday. Petito provided a rough mix, enabling Toomey to write and record vocals the very next day. The project was then mixed by bassist and producer Fabio Trentini alongside Markus Reuter, resulting in a vibrant sound that crackles with energy and creativity.

Musically, Masterpiece blends echoes of Pink Floyd’s atmospheric prog with the industrial edge of Nine Inch Nails, all infused with Toomey’s signature inventiveness. The title track, inspired by a rather sinister woman, struck a chord with Toomey despite his initial hesitation to call the EP Masterpiece . “Being somewhat self-effacing, I wasn’t too comfortable naming my own record that,” he says. “But Markus came to the rescue, saying ‘This actually tracks as a masterpiece and deserves the name.’”

Masterpiece solidifies Andy Toomey’s reputation as a fearless artist unafraid to take risks and push the boundaries of progressive music, delivering an EP that is as timeless as it is bold.

https://andytoomey.bandcamp.com/