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Miosis: Albedo Abduction

Miosis: Albedo Abduction

Progressive Rock/Metal
Rating: 3.75/5.0

Lion Music
www.miosis.se
www.myspace.com/miosisband
Added January 31, 2009
Review by Craig Hartranft

Swedish progressive rock band Miosis has at least one uncommon characteristic: they actually live up to the hype and description in their promo material. Miosis is described as a dark progressive rock/metal band steeped in the of melancholic waters of Radiohead and Massive Attack with mentions of Tool, Mars Volta and Isis. That's pretty accurate.

After one spin of 'Albedo Abduction,' I would not recommend that those persons given to episodes of depression listen to this disc at great length. Miosis itself refers to the constriction of the eye (pupil), a normal response to the increase of light. Both lyrically and musically, 'Albedo Abduction' seems to abhor light or, at least, seek the comforts (or despair?) of darkness. Possibly the reasons are much more sinister. A once recognized and great Near eastern prophet once remarked of his critics, 'Men loved the darkness because their deeds were evil.'

Another characteristic (and truth to their promotional material) is that Miosis generally eschews the virtuosity often found in progressive rock or metal. That's not to say that Miosis are poor musicians for they are actually quite good. Rather you're not going to hear lengthy, bombastic, or heady work by a guitarist, drummer, keyboardist or any other member. They depend upon building a a layered labyrinth of sound around the moody, self-reflective lyrics. If there is any musical bright side here, it is found on either 'Benandanti' or 'The Lucid.' But I may be too optimistic.

On 'Albedo Abduction' Miosis accomplishes what they set out to do: creating dark, melancholy and often despairing progressive rock. For this they should be commended. Friends of Zoloft or Prozac should keep their prescriptions handy. Though impressed by their musical talents and composition skills, this work is far too bleak for me. At sometime my spirit needed to be lifted and hope, or the promise of it, restored. It wasn't.

In Short

On 'Albedo Abduction' Miosis accomplishes what they set out to do: creating dark, melancholy and often despairing progressive rock. For this they should be commended. Though impressed by their musical talents and composition skills, this work is far to bleak for me. At sometime my spirit needed to be lifted and hope, or the promise of it, restored. It wasn't.

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