Rating: 7.8

Country: Poland

Release Date: 2007

Record Label: SelfMadeGod

Track list:
1. Introth
2. Planet Groth [mp3]
3. The Colony
4. Factor X
5. Project Insect
6. Clones...........
7. Masterplan
8. Planet Earth
9. Forgotten Race

Band Website: Myopia

Myopia (Pol) - Enter Insect Masterplan

Kamil Smala - Guitar
Bogdan Kubica - Drums
Robert Kocon - Vocals, Bass

In spite of their name, Myopia the band is anything but short-sighted. Claims that Myopia are merely a Polish Voivod (admittedly encouraged by the 80s styled logo) ignore the full story. Yes, they share the quirky, progressive aspects of the classic Canadian act but they are unique and inventive in their own right.

The balanced first proper track (and downloadable MP3) "Planet Groth" makes the Voivod influences transparent but not all-controlling (as they are in "Project Insect"). In this track (as well as in its later complement, "Planet Earth"), the strained thrashy vocals have a distinctively more Jens Kidman leaning. Other Meshuggah comparisons are tentative as there is a more general proto-math-metal methodology at play here. Longest song "The Colony" (only because of its uncharacteristically linear and cyclic song structure) mixes warm shimmering mellow Voivod with staccato rhythmics after an atonal organic drone-like intro. Insectoid chromatic droning is an important part of the harmonisation process for Myopia, supporting the underlying theme of the album and creating a level of dissonance that is similar, but far more subtle than that used by noisecore and modern math-metal bands.

"Factor X" is probably the track that best exemplifies the Myopia hive mind with unusual time signature changes, piercing anti-melodic pulses, unconventional percussion and jagged harshness evoking Today is the Day and contemporary Gorguts. "Masterplan", with its saturnine thrashy beginning, introduces slower dirge-groove prior to a Botch chord-bending outro. "Forgotten Race" is even more in the vein of Botch and is a definitive album closer. It is an infusion of ambient slow-burning math-metal with some thrashier moments and doubled vocals.

Szymon Czech shows his respect for the band's intent by bringing out the shining atonality of the instrument layers but avoids the temptation to match the heaviness of some of the bands emulated to give total lucidity. A very competent trio like Myopia that are rhythmically busy, know their roles and are pinpoint accurate, are always going to sound good though. Special mention of Bogdan Kubica's drum performance should be made. Given that Myopia never resort to very high speeds, the individualistic percussion is particularly exciting.

Surprising and refreshing, Myopia are a must for classic Voivod fans and a serious contender for those desiring something unusual. With a somewhat heavy heart I grudgingly admit that they are not quite imposing enough to be absolutely essential to the majority.

July 20th, 2007