Sammy Boller Offers Audiences One More Of 2025’s Top New EPs With ‘Midnight Garden’

By: Philip Sayblack

When a legend, such as Joe Satriani recognizes a guitarist for his or her talent, that is a telling statement that.  That is exactly what happened for Sammy Boller in 2012 in Guitar Center’s “Master Satriani” class.  Following that high praise, Boller’s fame and success has only increased.  His debut album Kingdom of the Sun (released in 2020) was welcomed by audiences and critics alike.  He has also become an online star and even been invited to be a guest columnist for Guitar Player magazine, which is one of the most respected publications for the guitar community.  Now his star is set to shine even more with the recent release of his EP, Midnight Garden.  Released Nov. 7 through Mantra Records, the 7-song instrumental presentation is an enjoyable jumping on point for new audiences and an equally positive offering for his already millions of established audiences.  That is proven from the beginning to the end of this 22-minute record.  Each of the seven songs featured herein make for so much for audiences to appreciate.  That is because of their diverse sounds and styles.  ‘The Mapmaker’ is just one of the songs that stands out in that regard.  The same can be said of the EP’s title track and ‘the vinyl exclusive bonus track, ‘Mother Light.’  Each song noted is important in its own way to the whole of this EP.  When the songs noted here are considered alongside the rest of the EP’s entries, the whole therein makes Midnight Garden easily one more of the best of this year’s new EPs.
Midnight Garden, the recently released new EP from Sammy Boller, is a strong new musical statement from the up-and-coming guitarist.  Not that Boller needed the extra push, considering the fame he has already achieved in just a decade.  Even with that in mind, the record is sure to help continue cementing him as one of the next big names in the guitar community.  This is proven in every one of the diverse arrangements featured in this presentation, not the least of which being ‘The Mapmaker.’  ‘The Mapmaker’ stands out because it is so starkly unlike the rest of the guitar-driven songs featured throughout the EP.  The electronics and the urban beats incorporated into this contemplative composition make it such a rich, immersive presentation.  Liner notes were not presented with the album’s downloadable copy so it is not known what the song is about, so one is left to contemplate here maybe the mapmaker being a euphemism of sorts for a person who travels, thus seeing and discovering so many places, how it must feel, perhaps uncertain at times.  It certainly would have been interesting to know the story behind this song.  Either way, it is such a deep performance that audiences are certain to appreciate.
‘Midnight Garden,’ which is included in the EP’s second half, is another standout addition to the record.  Boller’s fret work here alongside the rich bass line and percussion immediately elicits comparison to works from the likes of Animals as Leaders early on.  As the song progresses however, the comparison turns more toward modern ballads.  The introduction once again of the electronics here give the arrangement even more of its own unique identity, thus immersing listeners just as much into this song.  The whole establishes a warm, welcome mindset that almost establishes a certain sense of nostalgia.  Keeping that in mind, this shows even more what makes this song stand out as part of the EP’s body. 
‘Mother Light,’ which is included exclusively in the EP’s vinyl pressing as a bonus track, is yet one more notable addition to the record, showing the diversity in the arrangements’ style and the power in the compositions.  In the case of this song, which is largely driven by the chords played gently on the piano and the strong but controlled guitar line immediately makes for comparison to some of the softer, more emotional songs recorded by Black Label Society.  How’s that for a comparison, especially considering what has already been examined?  Boller’s work here is right up there alongside that of Zakk Wylde.  Zakk, are you reading this?  That is the case even as the song comes in at just under two-and-a-half minutes.  Boller and the pianist here (again no liner notes were provided so credit where due whomever said musician is) make the song feel so much longer in the best way possible as the pair’s work fully immerses audiences in the work.  It is one of those songs that is sure to pull at any listener’s heartstrings.  To that end it shows clearly its identity separate from the rest of the EP’s works.  When the diversity in the songs examined here is considered alongside that of the rest of the record’s songs, the whole therein leaves no doubt that this record is a special presentation that deserves to be heard.
Midnight Garden, the recently released new EP from Sammy Boller, is a welcome addition to this year’s field of new EPs.  That is proven through the diversity of the songs that make up its body, as has been shown here.  From a work that conjures comparison to works from Black Label Society to works that are comparable to those of Animals as Leaders, Dream Theater and even Scale the Summit, the whole makes this presentation such an impressive, immersive work.  All things considered they make Midnight Garden one of the best of this year’s new EPs.
Midnight Garden is available now.  More information on the EP is available along with all of Sammy Boller’s latest news at:
Website: https://sammyboller.com
Facebook: https://profile.php?id=100050198542241#