After wondering how an ep could have 12 tracks, I then realised that this is in fact two eps. The experienced Swedish artist who is Bioplan (sounds like a brand of yoghurt to me but I’ll get over it), released “Ocular” in April 2019 with Epipath following on. Unashamedly inspired by 1980s metal, this also falls under the self-made banner of “When synthwave and djent unite …”, which doesn’t sound entirely 80s to me. While for synthwave, I concede we might think of Human League, New Order, OMD or Depeche Mode, I struggle to associate djent with that era. Throw in prog, which is the speciality of the Layered Reality label, and the fact that this is instrumental, and I think it’s fair to say there’s plenty going on here.
It’s nice when a work starts brightly, and this certainly does. “Ingress” is fun and funky. The synth makes it sound a film soundtrack, but of a film that’s set near a sunny beach somewhere. The guitar work is clean. “Perspex Cassidy” is similarly evocative. It’s a pleasure for a change during a listen not to have to check through some obscure history or engage in a psychological battle. There are prog sections, but with the synth pumping away like an exotic heartbeat, it’s bright and colourful. And this guy can play without overstating the case. Ah, there’s the twisty djenty bit. Oh, it’s smooth. Mr Bioplan – actual name Andi Kravljaca – takes us on another journey through the skies with “He’s A Transponster”. The guitar work is hypnotising, but it wouldn’t work without the cool background vibe and subtle twists which accompany this fluid and evocative piece. Music to get carried away to? Here it is.
Where everything so far had personality, the short “VFR into IMC” is a bit of nothing, but we’re soon back into the Bioplan institute of musical magic. “Atomic Era Cocktails” is full of life and richness. The vibe is that of summer, action, life, sophistication … it’s a balmy evening in Florida, no Manchesters or Grimsbys here. Now it suddenly gets darker and more shadowy. I smell the onset of the “Ocular” ep. The djent-prog of “Invective” suggests the change of direction. The guitar mastery is still there but the world has changed somewhat to a more reflective place. Mr Bioplan has now been joined by four fellow musicians which would account for the now fuller and more rounded sound. The journey continues with the punchy and as ever suave and sophisticated “Permeant”. “Inclement” definitely takes on a darker aspect with its deep djent rhythm. Mr Bioplan casts his spell. His playing is like birds singing in the trees as the storm approaches. It’s a powerful dual layered combination. The synth returns to play a more prominent role, combining with the prodigious guitar work to create the emotional magic of “Refractive”. Now I’m not a great fan normally of bonus tracks, but here we have two remixes. I was happy to revisit these songs. First there’s a more heavily synthesised version of “Invective”. The mood is more urgent. Finally, there’s an ultra video game version of the fun and funky “Ingress”.
The personality of these tracks and I guess of the artist spoke to me. People nowadays talk about music having cinematic qualities, and I’d say this could be said here. Each track is a mini adventure, often recalling sunny scenes of TV series. So you could say that this pair of eps is commercial, and in the senses that it’s catchy and would appeal to a wide audience of listeners and not just lovers of guitar and synth based rock and metal, then it is. I wasn’t sure about the idea of combining two distinct eps with their different vibes, but although they are different, it’s not so much the case and the gentle contrast works well. Above all though, these pieces are testimony to Mr Bioplan’s virtuosity and makes for great and listening. happy Commercial? Contrasts. “Epipath & Ocular” is just fresh and full of life and colour.
(9/10 Andrew Doherty)
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