How often do you come across that only has five original songs, whilst the other 12 (!) are remixes or instrumentals. Well, this is one of those times, as our Russian friends from Saint Petersburg named GOOT have decided to give us just such a record. It is called “The Toll Remains The Same” and the seventeen songs in total clock over 75 minutes. The idea behind all of this comes from the band themselves: This extended EP “The Toll Remains The Same” (75 minutes of music) is a continuation of the concept realized on the album “Weight Of Days” a year earlier and a bridge to the second full-length release of GOOT with the participation of cult vocalist David Reece, which the band plans to release in 2026.

GOOT started life in 2017 and have released five full-length studio albums and another five EP’s before “The Toll Remains The Same”, so they have been quite active throughout the years. And of course, I will have to admit to not having heard any of their stuff before this EP. And when I listen to the five songs that make up the original EP, I really start to wonder why, as this is bloody good music by a very pleasant sounding band. What they play is Melodic Heavy Metal that acquires and has gotten a very powerful sound. Whether you listen to the title track and opener “The Toll Remains The Same” or something like “Echelon Of Lies”, you immediately feel your hairs standing on end, your foot starting to tap to the songs and your level of happiness rise a few notches.

Maybe this will explain why: In addition to maestro Reece, the guitarist of the British Thrash Metal band Onslaught Wayne Dorman participated in the creation of the new music of GOOT. All the lyrics of the new EP, like all other lyrics of GOOT, were written by the Dutch writer and music journalist Randy Gerritse. I don’t know about you, but I always feel that a band or artist has the right amount of awareness and self-worth when they are not afraid to ask for help. In the case of GOOT and the original version “The Toll Remains The Same” they have done exactly the right thing, as this is bloody good. As for all the alternative versions of songs that are on this extended version, some are good, some acceptable and some boring. I invite you to make your own mind up. By the way, my ratings are based on the five original songs!