Loved this album when I first heard it. Let’s not forget, Paul and Sean collaborated with Chuck in Death for the Human album, which was friking mind blowing for the time.
RIP to the Seans - I remember coming upon this in the mid nineties and having to pick my jaw up off the floor! In all honesty, I still have to every time I listen to it 😂
Have you watched the Tribute to Sean Reinert from Drumtalk? Its pretty amazing, especially when Gene "the Atomic Clock" Hoglan talks about joining Death and says; "I have to play THAT?". Its when I finally realized Sean reinvented Metal Drumming and for those to come. - Rest in Peace Reinert & Malone.
Been wanting to see you react to this! Was on one of my HUGE lists I posted a few months back. I've been referring to them as "The Mahavishnu Orchestra of Death Metal" at the time when it was their only full album release. Luckily they formed back together under popular demand. Was lucky enough to see them finally, and with Sean Reinert on Drums. He was such a joy to watch because he was so precise, and was usually "singing along" to the lyrics while being an octopus with power! 3 members of Cynic were on the Death "Human" album _before_ the release of Cynic's "Focus" album (they were known from their demos, which were MUCH heavier and more aggressive during that time). Sean Reinert on Human, basically re-invented Metal drumming and many followed suit. Note that when they debuted with Focus and went on Tour, Death Metal fans didn't know what to make of them. Some even booed! They were VERY ahead of their time in 1993. Watchtower (from Texas) would be anotherside of "Math Metal", not as Jazz/Fusion as Cynic but technical/complex with a falsetto vocalist singing melodically over the insane riffs and abrupt changes (like a later band from Norway; "Spiral Architect"). Alarum, Atheist, Fractal Universe, Twisted Into Form, Memento Waltz, Aghora, Linear Sphere, Zero Hour, To-Mera are other bands of the like to checkout. - Rest in Peace Reinert & Sean Malone. Sean died a year _after_ Neil Peart died, who was one of his big inspirations (and Vinnie Colaiuta).
I got into Cynic pretty late, but there was a band called Atheist that were pretty similar to Cynic that I loved as a teen. If you guys want to check out Atheist, I'd recommend the song Mother Man!
I saw both Cynic and Atheist last year when they were doing 30 years of Focus and Unquestionable Presence. Absolutely amazing experience. Just unbelievable musicianship from both bands.
You could mention that both Paul and Sean are professionally trained jazz musicians. But yeah, when I listened to this album for the first time I also didn't get it because I was into straightforward death metal, but with time that stuff really grew in my eyes, insanely good music!
Cynic! What a fantastic choice! Part of the "Holy Trinity" - Atheist, Cynic, Death. Doesn't get any better. :) By the way - how about some Asphyx sometime soon? "The rack", maybe? ;)
I remember hearing this when it came out and I didn't know what to think of it. I mean there were bands like Death and Atheist which I loved that combined death metal with jazz and prog but this was such an unique experience that it was only really appreciated years or decades later. Many progressive metal bands of today still draw from this.
I first heard this in 93 and was instantly hooked. I seen them open for Cannibal Corpse on their first tour and was completely floored by the musicianship. I felt sad they never took off in popularity which led to the hiatus. This album has had a monumental influence on pretty much every band that focused (pun intended) on musicianship and experimentation. These guys were so far ahead of the curve.
RIP Sean and Sean, i greatly enjoy everything Cynic have done, even the Portal Tapes, there's something in there that transcends all the different genres they dabbled in over the years
I heard this when it came out , and yes I was into morbid Angel and obituary.Yes, we had atheist , but this shattered our understanding .Saw them live as well , and any thoughts you have about Cynic , I assure you they are better than you think .Focus , is still unbelievable
Legendary debut, years if not decades ahead of it's time. 👌 Chuck Schuldiner of Death hired Masvidal and Reinert to play with him on the 'Human' album on the strength of their earlier demos, so even mr. death metal himself was inspired by the Cynic guys.. their comeback album 'Traced in Air' is actually perhaps an even more impressive album; maybe not so groundbreaking as 'Focus', but the songwriting is arguably even more impressive; almost all the death metal elements are gone on 'Traced in Air', but the compositions are absolutely drop dead GORGEOUS! 👌 R.I.P. Sean Reinert & Sean Malone; one of the most awesome rhythm sections ever.. ☹️
Finally some death/jazz fusion. "Focus" is in the top 5 of all time for me. I wasn't shocked or surprised when first hearing it in '93. Death Metal then already had taken several paths and I absolutely loved it and still do. Atheist already paved the way a bit and other bands followed suit, like Cynic and Pestilence with "Testimony..." and "Spheres". Had hoped you mentioned that Paul and Sean both played on the influential "Human" album with Death
This was one of those albums that on first listen I was impressed and intrigued by, but it took me 2 or 3 listens before I had decided I really liked it. As Judson mentioned, the layers are important for it and really make it interesting and engaging to listen to. I also love the guitar solos on it, particularly the one in closing track "How Could I." I'm musically illiterate so I dunno what the term is but here are some little but dramatic jumps up in pitch in several of them that I like. Still not a fan of the vocoder stuff after all these years, but at this point it probably wouldn't feel right without it I guess. I also liked the follow up album Traced in Air a lot, but to be honest they kinda lost me with everything after that. Maybe I just didn't listen to it with the right mindset, but it felt like it lost those "layers" that made Focus and Traced so engaging, and was instead focused on being too dreamy atmospheric and "zen" and shit. Should probably give it some more chances though. It is funny to think about how this must have sounded to people back then. Even by today's standards it's pretty out there. Thankfully I got to see them live playing the good stuff twice, with Paul and Reinert backed up by Tymon and Robin from Exivious (another cool metal-y jazz-y fusion thing). If any metalheads are into jazzy stuff too, check out Gordian Knot. It was started by Sean Malone and featured other Cynic guys in Masvidal, Sean Reinert, and Jason Gobel, as well a bunch of other guys from things like Yes, King Crimson, Dream Theater, Genesis, Watchtower, etc. Very interesting lineup really.
In 1997/98 Malone put his kubicki up for sale on a very early eBay, I had the winning bid for 768 dollars. Fortunately (unfortunately for me) he must have thought twice and withdrew it from the Auction. I was kind of crushed because that album sucked me in when it came out but I really had no business in owning that piece of history.
One of my favorite albums of all time and one of my favorite album openers. You guys covered the new Blood Incantation which I loved but I'd also recommend you check out another death metal band called Tomb Mold. Their newest album, The Enduring Spirit, has some tracks you should definitely cover. Especially "Will of Whispers" and "The Enduring Spirit of Calamity."
I think Judson might like the Fretless Bass work of Forest LaPointe particularly on the last First Fragment record, though I do think their songs are still too overwhelming: Yes there's elements he'll probably pick up like relentless counterpoint but the speed and blast-beat-heavy drumming it's probably too much for someone not deeply into extreme metal. Still that's a Fretless bass player that mostly stays on top of the mix by using lots of tapping and higher fret register during half of the song and that's when not playing outright fretless solos and when he needs to punch it up, he plays slap *on* the fretless which you wouldn't think it works but it punches up the sound enough that it kinda does a bit.
You guys need to listen to more bands that use the fretless bass in metal, like Obscura, First Fragment and Beyond Creation. I think they use it better than Cynic did.
Loved this album when I first heard it. Let’s not forget, Paul and Sean collaborated with Chuck in Death for the Human album, which was friking mind blowing for the time.
still is.i have yet to hear someone play with the double bass that freely. apart from all the other stuff going on
RIP to the Seans - I remember coming upon this in the mid nineties and having to pick my jaw up off the floor! In all honesty, I still have to every time I listen to it 😂
Have you watched the Tribute to Sean Reinert from Drumtalk? Its pretty amazing, especially when Gene "the Atomic Clock" Hoglan talks about joining Death and says; "I have to play THAT?". Its when I finally realized Sean reinvented Metal Drumming and for those to come.
- Rest in Peace Reinert & Malone.
Been wanting to see you react to this! Was on one of my HUGE lists I posted a few months back.
I've been referring to them as "The Mahavishnu Orchestra of Death Metal" at the time when it was their only full album release. Luckily they formed back together under popular demand. Was lucky enough to see them finally, and with Sean Reinert on Drums. He was such a joy to watch because he was so precise, and was usually "singing along" to the lyrics while being an octopus with power!
3 members of Cynic were on the Death "Human" album _before_ the release of Cynic's "Focus" album (they were known from their demos, which were MUCH heavier and more aggressive during that time). Sean Reinert on Human, basically re-invented Metal drumming and many followed suit.
Note that when they debuted with Focus and went on Tour, Death Metal fans didn't know what to make of them. Some even booed! They were VERY ahead of their time in 1993. Watchtower (from Texas) would be anotherside of "Math Metal", not as Jazz/Fusion as Cynic but technical/complex with a falsetto vocalist singing melodically over the insane riffs and abrupt changes (like a later band from Norway; "Spiral Architect"). Alarum, Atheist, Fractal Universe, Twisted Into Form, Memento Waltz, Aghora, Linear Sphere, Zero Hour, To-Mera are other bands of the like to checkout.
- Rest in Peace Reinert & Sean Malone. Sean died a year _after_ Neil Peart died, who was one of his big inspirations (and Vinnie Colaiuta).
Their second album (Traced In Air) from when they reunited is a masterpiece.
If you ever come back to Cynic - please play Judson “Evolutionary Sleeper” or “King of those who Know”
Such beautiful songs!
agree 100 %
Lyrically, melodically, spiritually uplifting music, all of Cynic's albums are. Carbon Based Anatomy is my favorite after Traced In Air.
Every single song off Traced In Air is god tier level amazing. Personal favorite is ‘Integral Birth’
That intro was haunting. You two are gems.
I got into Cynic pretty late, but there was a band called Atheist that were pretty similar to Cynic that I loved as a teen.
If you guys want to check out Atheist, I'd recommend the song Mother Man!
Atheist is so incredibly underrated.
The formative years is a great song too.
I saw both Cynic and Atheist last year when they were doing 30 years of Focus and Unquestionable Presence. Absolutely amazing experience. Just unbelievable musicianship from both bands.
You could mention that both Paul and Sean are professionally trained jazz musicians. But yeah, when I listened to this album for the first time I also didn't get it because I was into straightforward death metal, but with time that stuff really grew in my eyes, insanely good music!
I remember chatting to you about Cynic saying Judson would love them! Hopefully he does, keen to watch
Evolutionary sleeper was my intro!
One of my all-time favorite albums. The magic these four dudes created is still influencing metal.
three??
@@hazardeur Four, my bad. I always forget about Jason since it's primarily been Paul, Sean, and Sean.
I was lucky enough to see them live! what a talentend band! RIP Seans.
Cynic! What a fantastic choice!
Part of the "Holy Trinity" - Atheist, Cynic, Death. Doesn't get any better. :)
By the way - how about some Asphyx sometime soon? "The rack", maybe? ;)
I love Prog/Tech Death Metal, and this is a gem of the subgenre. Amazing musicians!
YESSSS, thanks for reviewing this, its my fav album OAT, ghopefully theres more cynic to come
I have this feeling, that this band will turn up on Judson's Playlist somewhere. Cynic gets better, the more you listen to it ;)
I remember hearing this when it came out and I didn't know what to think of it. I mean there were bands like Death and Atheist which I loved that combined death metal with jazz and prog but this was such an unique experience that it was only really appreciated years or decades later. Many progressive metal bands of today still draw from this.
I first heard this in 93 and was instantly hooked. I seen them open for Cannibal Corpse on their first tour and was completely floored by the musicianship. I felt sad they never took off in popularity which led to the hiatus. This album has had a monumental influence on pretty much every band that focused (pun intended) on musicianship and experimentation. These guys were so far ahead of the curve.
I think he’s ready for Defeated Sanity now
This!!!
RIP Sean and Sean, i greatly enjoy everything Cynic have done, even the Portal Tapes, there's something in there that transcends all the different genres they dabbled in over the years
Hello! My old Account is lost (Verkantill) but I´m still here guys! Instant like! Cynic is just pure art! Love it! Keep it up as always. Love You all!
The faces made by Judson in the first minute of the track tell it all about the quirkiness of Cynic. :-)
I saw these fellas live back in the day. Sounded the same as on the album. amazing musicians. This whole album is a masterpiece....
I heard this when it came out , and yes I was into morbid Angel and obituary.Yes, we had atheist , but this shattered our understanding .Saw them live as well , and any thoughts you have about Cynic , I assure you they are better than you think .Focus , is still unbelievable
Boy I really thought you had that backwards. Veil of Maya is one of my favourite bands. 🤣 Shiw Judson some Veil of maya!
What about a Song from Watchtower from the album Control and resistance 🤗
Legendary debut, years if not decades ahead of it's time. 👌 Chuck Schuldiner of Death hired Masvidal and Reinert to play with him on the 'Human' album on the strength of their earlier demos, so even mr. death metal himself was inspired by the Cynic guys.. their comeback album 'Traced in Air' is actually perhaps an even more impressive album; maybe not so groundbreaking as 'Focus', but the songwriting is arguably even more impressive; almost all the death metal elements are gone on 'Traced in Air', but the compositions are absolutely drop dead GORGEOUS! 👌
R.I.P. Sean Reinert & Sean Malone; one of the most awesome rhythm sections ever.. ☹️
With the recent Retromorphosis release you should definitely introduce Judson to Spawn of Possession.
Finally some death/jazz fusion. "Focus" is in the top 5 of all time for me. I wasn't shocked or surprised when first hearing it in '93. Death Metal then already had taken several paths and I absolutely loved it and still do. Atheist already paved the way a bit and other bands followed suit, like Cynic and Pestilence with "Testimony..." and "Spheres". Had hoped you mentioned that Paul and Sean both played on the influential "Human" album with Death
Cynic is such a vibe, highly recommend Trace in Air, such a great comeback album
I remember hearing this in the 90s. Thought it was interesting. Happy thanksgiving guys
Shone Malone such great bass player!
Speaking of jazz fusion, I'd highly recommend checking out the band Exivious. They have some amazing tunes!
The guitarist joined Cynic for their 2nd album.
Oh damn, I had no idea! Thats awesome.@Pirates_of_the_Underground_I
Yup. Paul is the only surviving member, unfortunately.
Jason Goble is still alive too, fortunately..
I was waiting for y’all to talk about his work in Death
This was one of those albums that on first listen I was impressed and intrigued by, but it took me 2 or 3 listens before I had decided I really liked it. As Judson mentioned, the layers are important for it and really make it interesting and engaging to listen to. I also love the guitar solos on it, particularly the one in closing track "How Could I." I'm musically illiterate so I dunno what the term is but here are some little but dramatic jumps up in pitch in several of them that I like. Still not a fan of the vocoder stuff after all these years, but at this point it probably wouldn't feel right without it I guess.
I also liked the follow up album Traced in Air a lot, but to be honest they kinda lost me with everything after that. Maybe I just didn't listen to it with the right mindset, but it felt like it lost those "layers" that made Focus and Traced so engaging, and was instead focused on being too dreamy atmospheric and "zen" and shit. Should probably give it some more chances though.
It is funny to think about how this must have sounded to people back then. Even by today's standards it's pretty out there.
Thankfully I got to see them live playing the good stuff twice, with Paul and Reinert backed up by Tymon and Robin from Exivious (another cool metal-y jazz-y fusion thing).
If any metalheads are into jazzy stuff too, check out Gordian Knot. It was started by Sean Malone and featured other Cynic guys in Masvidal, Sean Reinert, and Jason Gobel, as well a bunch of other guys from things like Yes, King Crimson, Dream Theater, Genesis, Watchtower, etc. Very interesting lineup really.
super happy to see a reaction to Cynic!! Would you consider just released Paragraph-4 by Opeth? I think Judson will like Harp and Flute mixtures.
In 1997/98 Malone put his kubicki up for sale on a very early eBay, I had the winning bid for 768 dollars. Fortunately (unfortunately for me) he must have thought twice and withdrew it from the Auction. I was kind of crushed because that album sucked me in when it came out but I really had no business in owning that piece of history.
One of my favorite albums of all time and one of my favorite album openers. You guys covered the new Blood Incantation which I loved but I'd also recommend you check out another death metal band called Tomb Mold. Their newest album, The Enduring Spirit, has some tracks you should definitely cover. Especially "Will of Whispers" and "The Enduring Spirit of Calamity."
Explore the new Opeth album please!, might be cool to see a summary of the whole thing because it's amazing
Obscure Sphinx - Lunar Caustic (Pianist continues his exploration of heavy metal)
Sould try integral birth next time, i think it's the best song from cynic
I might have already said this, but you guys need merch that says "Proceed Richard."
I saw Cynic on this tour open for Cannibal Corpse at the Spectrum in Montreal.
That album is beautifull
Another excellent reaction. Would love to see you check out Tryptykon
I think Judson might like the Fretless Bass work of Forest LaPointe particularly on the last First Fragment record, though I do think their songs are still too overwhelming: Yes there's elements he'll probably pick up like relentless counterpoint but the speed and blast-beat-heavy drumming it's probably too much for someone not deeply into extreme metal.
Still that's a Fretless bass player that mostly stays on top of the mix by using lots of tapping and higher fret register during half of the song and that's when not playing outright fretless solos and when he needs to punch it up, he plays slap *on* the fretless which you wouldn't think it works but it punches up the sound enough that it kinda does a bit.
Cynic is one of those bands that you get something new on every listen.
Day 20 of asking for Diablo Swing Orchestra.
React to Ulcerate and Deathspell Omega
wintersun - sons of winter and stars (sonic pump studios) please!
I like focus but their best has to be Traced in Air.
At what stage do you do Deicide?
I'd recommend Homage for satan or Scars of the crucifix
You guys need to listen to more bands that use the fretless bass in metal, like Obscura, First Fragment and Beyond Creation. I think they use it better than Cynic did.
im all about prog and death but cynic never jived with me
i just didnt get it, still dont
Gay metal
now its time to explore veil of maya maybe common man collapse