[Lalwendë]

Mithrillica lay themselves bare in new film Some Kind of Mumakil. With the departure of their bassist they must write and record their new album as a threesome. A threesome which argues quite a lot, so the band take on a counsellor to see them through the process, seeking out Pallando, the long lost Istar (who is now desperately seeking work since he only had a one way ticket to Middle Earth and the cost of a return to Valinor is pretty expensive).

Jolly Hammerhand and Largo Ulmo are soon at each others’ throats like rabid Wargs, thrown into the close confines of the studio. It takes a drunken trip to the Ice Bay of Forochel and an incident with bears and excessive Old Winyards to make Hammerhand realise that his hobbit habit must be cured. He disappears for an entire year, retreating into the rehab smial at Bucklebury, and it looks as though Mithrillica are down to two until he re-emerges, stronger and ready to start work. We then see the band recruit a new bass player and finally release their new album.

The film gives us a close up look at a band coming to terms with growing older, getting hairier feet, giving up the Old Winyards and confronting their personal wights. One of the highlights of the film is an appearance by prodigal former member Dain Mugwort, who has an emotional set-to with Largo Ulmo. We also see some surprises during the auditions for the new bassist, including Tinuviel Ringwraith of shock rockers Melian Morgoth.

It is primarily a film for fans, but any hobbit music fan should enjoy this look at the inner workings of one of the most infamous bands in The Shire. Long gone are the days of such classics as Master of Pukel-Men, Ride the Limlight, Harvester of Sauron and Enter Saruman, but Mithrillica prove they still have relevance in the Fourth Age. No doubt they will be rocking The Shire again soon on their next tour. As long as Hammerhand keeps off the Old Winyards.