Trubie Turner (Re:Gen Magazine) 2008 regenmag.com

Seasoned musicians join forces to create a pleasantly moody but varied goth outing.

Though this is the self-titled debut album of The Myriad Form, its members are far from new to the music scene. Diva Destruction and Cylab alum, SeVerina X Sol, brings her sizable experience and vocal talent to the outfit, and is accompanied by experienced drummer and guitarist Ian W. Mayer, and keyboard and bassist Richard "Lurch" Pilawski. Together they form a very capable ethereal gothic rock trio similar in mood and occasionally in sound to many of the great gothic and darkwave acts.

Apparently influenced by a great many other gothic acts, the album successfully runs a rather large gamut of gothic styles. To the straight gothic rock tracks "Solid State" and "Her Void" to the almost Black Tape for a Blue Girl-esque "100 Days," and the apparently Switchblade Symphony inspired "Wicked" and "Ashes to Earth," The Myriad Form almost give a lesson in the ABCs of gothic styles. SeVerina is obviously very much at home with all of these styles and, despite the equally varied vocal requirements, gives an impeccable performance throughout. Though largely a nicely tranquil and dark experience, there are still occasional rough spots such as "Renew" where The Myriad Form's song construction is just a bit too rudimentary and repetitive, which leads to the song wearing a little thin as it goes on. Thankfully, these problem areas are not terribly commonplace.

Though their great ability to write and perform several different styles is quite evident, it is this same range that leads to the only really great criticism that could be made of The Myriad Form; they have a somewhat inconsistent feel that can be somewhat disruptive to the enjoyment of the album as a whole and leads to what feels more like a compilation despite it being all from the same artist. Despite this issue, The Myriad Form is an excellent and very welcome addition to the gothic music scene and hopefully with a little narrowing of focus will be adding much more in the future.

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Benny Hell (Vampire Freaks Magazine) 2007 vampirefreaks.com

A complex background doesn’t always bespeak that the same complexity will appear in the works of an artist. But, in the case of SeVerina X SoL, that is without question the case. Whether it’s a sample from her work with Diva Destruction, a look at the cellular structure from the beauty inherent in Cylab, or a cross section taken from the newest addition to her body of work, The Myriad Form, she never fails to impress me at any degree of magnification.

The word ‘myriad’ implies a multitude of something, which in this case denotes the way the music manifests itself. There are a number of diverse sound-scapes that, when woven together, are all individual, but contain a common root in the vocals. When looking back on the culminative development of SeVerina’s sound, you can definitely see the multifaceted luster of her talent shining back at you. Not to imply that there aren’t other members of this band that have unified to polish this luminescent stone (which came to me by chance and good fortune); there are, and without them, this album would lack character… but it’s the vocals that sold me on it right away. The music, orchestrated by Richard ‘Lurch’ Pilawski and Ian W. Meyer, shows it’s roots in “Old School” Goth rock with no shame… but it differs from it in that it doesn’t embarrass me to listen to it. The gentlemen behind the instruments have taken that sound and formed it into something that nods to the Cleopatra-stained past, but refines it into something new and pure. Examples of this sound can be heard in the opening track, ‘The Ocean Deep’, and the second song, ‘Renew’, which features some of the creepiest harpsichord playing I’ve ever heard. Of all the songs on this release, it was the tenth track, ‘Wicked’, that truly caught my ear. It has a droning bass line, well articulated percussive elements, an incredibly well sustained and ambient approach to the guitar lines, and solidifies the otherworldly qualities of SeV’s vocals in a manner that is undeniable, but still very visceral. Interestingly enough, on ‘Wicked’, SeVerina wrote not only the lyrics and vocal melody but the bass line, the keys and gave direction on the drums and guitars. It was her baby, along with ‘Secret‘.

That said, it’s an understatement to say that fans of ethereal will enjoy this album as well, as it has numerous moments wherein it feels like a ready made ‘Projekt’ band. Hopefully, this amazing project will receive some attention from that legendary label, and give their music a good home. Regardless of where, or how, you hear this release, if you are a fan of Darkwave/Goth on any level you need to check this out!

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Mick Mercer (The Mick, Record Mirror, the NME, and Melody Maker) 2007 MickMercer.com

"It’s good to see Severina X Sol’s own projects features cunning fire and no melted ice. With Richard Pilawski, who goes by the nickname of Lurch, and Ian Mayer whose middle initial is W, she is pinioned in the songs and rotating with a frown.

‘The Ocean Deep’ is at its heart a sweet synth invocation with cherry ripe vocals haring along inside the sleek undulating poppy impression. ‘Renew’ is a tad darker but the synth tingle creates a warm espionage filmic thrill as expansive synth fills out behind trim vocals in another spry melodic adventure. ‘100 Days’ slows sedately and goes for the hazily romantic sound in wan desolation, ‘Orchid’ even more discreet and restful and ‘Ashes To Earth’ as consistently drowsy and endearing.

The sound gets a little looser and weirder with the breathy, stumbling ‘Secret’, while the terse and danceable ‘Her Void’ slinks around furtive and morbid. ‘Isis In Nocturne’ is suitably bewitching given the ancient imagery, the bass fulsome and swishing percussion adding a larger atmosphere which eventually straighten out into something more autumnal than baked, and ‘Wicked’ then marks a switch to something more dislocated and deeper, with its story of toys come alive.

‘Promised Rainbows’ is graciously curdled and back towards the pop side, but stirring and then it ends with the best track, ‘June Song.’ Deliciously creepy, moaning and wandering with strange lyrical imagery, this is a disconsolate, barren sound populated with vocal strength as it depicts odd people or creatures; sound and content as one.

Grenades of frost and graduated solemnity, given a frisky twist. That’s more than good enough."

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Deviancy (OokieSpookie.com) 2007 OokieSpookie.com

"The Myriad Form is a new band, but this band has a few advantages over most new bands, experience being one of those advantages. The vocals are handled by Cylabs vocalist, Severina Sol. Severina has also previously been in Diva Destruction and Fokewolf. The drummer is Ian Mayer, Ian has been in part of bands such as, Near Death Experience and Without Tears. On bass and keyboards is Richard “Lurch” Pilawski, he’s been featured with such bands as Sex with Lurch and Mantle.

From the opening track, The Ocean Deep, that experience becomes obvious. From the lush layers of sound to the lulling, while powerful vocals this debut album starts off with a lot of promise. Renew follows The Ocean Deep, less of an ethereal approach but just as sonic, with clean vocals and a vibrant sound. 100 Days brings back the ethereal elements but this time with an even more intensive lullaby impact while Orchid follows 100 Days and has a more new wave edge. The entire disc is made up of material that ranges from an enchanting ethereal element to an upbeat 80s new wave effect. Another song that cant be ignored is, Her Void. Her Void kicks off with this powerful vocal and then slows a bit and turns into this gothic rock/new wave hybrid with female and male vocals and an alluring soundscape filled with those lovely, eerie guitar riffs. The male vocals give it just bit of a Dead Can Dance flavoring, but its far more powerful than anything DCD ever did.

The most noticeable thing about this release is the fact that unlike a lot of gothic rock/ethereal artists out there, the vocals are not done in little girl like way, the vocals are very mature and powerful instead. It’s kind of disturbing to hear grown women try to sound like little girls, but some may like that.

The lyrics are another highlight on this album, they’re not clich, nor do they sound like something a high school kid jotted down on his or her notepad. They’ve got a level of depth while not coming off too overtly dramatic, which is a mistake some gothic rock bands make when creating lyrics. June Song is a good example of their lyrical prowess, this total sexy number, which is also very somber, has some killer lyrics that just cant be ignored. It’s more of a spoken word number but that doesn’t make it any less potent. There’s also the lovely sinister guitar and bass element that’s very nice to hear. This album has a very full band sound, there are tribal elements, jangly guitar riffs, and nice and spooky keyboard effects that just scream to be embraced.

In short this is a very solid album by such a new band, there seems to be obvious chemistry between the musicians and everything sounds nice and tight. This album is highly recommended to those who love artists such as Faith and the Muse and Sunshine Blind, but one has to keep in mind that this band has something entirely their own to offer and their music is in no way an emulation of anything done in the past. The songs on this album are very fresh sounding, and very addicting."

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RedjMusic(BMI) 2007

"The Myriad Form The Ocean Deep opens the 3 song cd...and it's fabulous!! swoons. Soo happy a song like this exists...where ethereal meets synthpop. This is a dance floor gem! I hope the djs are playing it!! Missing Persons meets Switchblade Symphony. Fab fab!! Sweet, yet full range female vocals. The lead singer is a seasoned singer...having been with Cylab and Diva Destruction.(both good bands)The whole cd is super likable with darkwave intertwined...leaves me wanting more from this band...and that's a good thing."

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