CYNIC News

Sean Reinert just posted this recently on Facebook.

So, Paul Masvidal will be continuing on under the Cynic name, while Sean goes on to do other music. I guess this overall is good, although what impact this has on the Cynic music, who knows yet of course.

FB Post

Today I post with a heavy heart, but also a lightened spirit. A settlement has been reached between Paul and I in regards to CYNIC. I am unable to disclose any of the details regarding this agreement but I am at peace with the arrangement. I am going to step aside from CYNIC and continue with my personal projects - Paul is going to continue with CYNIC and his.
I want to take this last Facebook post as an opportunity to humbly thank all of the musicians, engineers, technicians, companies, booking agents, managers, crew, press, labels and friends that I've worked with (and will likely continue to) over this past 30-year span.
Most of all - I would like to thank the fans, who to this day still blow me away with their loyalty and love. You've always been the inspiration and the fuel for the machine!
To Paul, I sincerely wish him and the musicians he hires nothing but the best.
If you are interested in what's going on in my world check out some of the links below:
Love,
Sean

Extreme Metal Bands and Breakups (As of early August 2017)

Not sure how long this will be, but with the breakup of Spawn of Possession yesterday, it adds again to the list of extreme Metal bands I love who have broken up.

Spawn of Possession
Textures
Agalloch
Cynic

and the other name that comes to mind is Vektor who are not technically broken up, but if I recall 4 of the 5 members left, so in many ways, they feel like they are also done, or may reinvent themself, i dunno.

The hope comes to  mind when these bands break up, is at least to be curious what some of the members end up doing next. Solo stuff, or new bands. The members of Agalloch have done that anyway.

I guess I'm curious to find out what the guys in SoP will do now, especially since it sounded like they had been working on a new album. Maybe some of that material will come out in 1 or more forms or another.

I guess not Metal, but I look at the breakup of Oceansize in 2011, and what Mike Vennart has done since, to fill that void. In other words, I do hope the members of these bands do create new music and bring in work that I loved at least I enjoy if not love that is like the music they made with those bands.

The tough part often is though, it often isn't as good. But every situation is different, so I guess only time will tell.

I just hope that list above doesn't continue to grow anytime soon, but if it does, it does bring up the belief about music and obscure/cult-level artists just can't be expected to last for decades (or even 1 decade I suppose).

Or the other thought I often have is when one of these bands breaks up, I'd love to see a band from the past like Necrophagist, return (they haven't ever "officially" broken up, but their last album was in 2004. Their lack of recordings even beats Tool in that way).

The Year 1993 Albums Calendar and Rankings

1993 a year I honestly don't think of to be that amazing, as it was maybe the heart of the grunge period, etc.

I actually remember the Summer of 1993 working at Sam Goody at the Mall of America and seeing many of the albums on this list among others. That Rush album, was a really big deal for me as I was obsessed with Rush at the time and it was their 1st new album since I really became a fan.

But just looking at it, 1993 was actually a pretty good year. Top Heavy still, like many years, but also relatively deep. I would guess 1994 and 1995 I see as better years, but the years that followed in the 90's? I'm not so sure (1998 may be 1 of the dry-est years ever from memory).

Jellyfish, Galactic Cowboys, Cynic, Angra, Enchant, The Tea Party, Savatage and I Mother Earth all put out some of the best albums from the 1990's.

1. Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
2. Galactic Cowboys - Space in Your Face
3. Cynic - Focus
4. Angra - Angels Cry
5. Enchant - A Blueprint of the World
6. Savatage - Edge of Thorns
7. The Tea Party - Splendor Solis
8. I Mother Earth - Dig
9. Rush - Counterparts
10. Saigon Kick - Water
11. Jeff Buckley - Live at Sin-é
12. Jim Matheos - First Impressions
13. Dream Theater - Live at the Marquee
14. Porcupine Tree - Up the Downstair
15, Tears for Fears - Elemental
16. Anekdoten - Vemod
17. Pat Metheny - The Road to You: Recorded Live in Europe
18. Robert Plant - Fate of Nations
19. Without Warning - Making Time
20, Voivod - The Outer Limits
21. U2 - Zooropa
22. Primus - Pork Soda
23. Duran Duran - Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)
24. Alan Parsons - Try Anything Once
25. Damn the Machine - Damn the Machine
26. Pearl Jam - Vs
27. Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club
28. No-Man - Loveblows and Lovecries - A Confession
29. Orphaned Land - The Beloved's Cry



Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
rel February 9, 1993


Duran Duran - Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)
rel February 11, 1993


The Cranberries - Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can't We?
rel March 1, 1993


Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
rel March 9, 1993


Coverdale•Page - Coverdale•Page
rel March 15, 1993



Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion
rel March 22, 1993


Savatage - Edge of Thorns
rel April 2, 1993


Tool - Undetow
rel April 6, 1993


His Name is Alive - Mouth by Mouth
rel April 13, 1993


Primus - Pork Soda
rel April 20, 1993


Porno for Pyros - Porno for Pyros
rel April 27, 1993


Jim Matheos - First Impressions
rel May 25, 1993


Robert Plant - Fate of Nations
rel May 25, 1993



No-Man - Loveblows and Lovecries - A Confession
rel May 1993


Porcupine Tree - Up the Downstair
rel June 7, 1993


Tears for Fears - Elemental
rel June 7, 1993


Damn the Machine - Damn the Machine
rel June 8, 1993


Galactic Cowboys - Space in Your Face
rel June 8, 1993


The Tea Party - Splendor Solis
rel June 11, 1993


U2 - Zooropa
rel July 5, 1993


Ozric Tentacles - Jurassic Shift
rel July 13, 1993


Pat Metheny - The Road to You: Recorded Live in Europe
rel July 20, 1993


Steve Vai - Sex and Religion
rel July 27, 1993


Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club
rel August 3, 1993


Voivod - The Outer Limits
rel August 3, 1993


I Mother Earth - Dig
rel August 10, 1993


Dark Tranquillity - Skydancer
rel August 30, 1993


Enchant - A Blueprint of the World
rel August 1993


Dream Theater - Live at the Marquee
rel September 4, 1993


Cynic - Focus
rel September 14, 1993


Saigon Kick - Water
rel September 28, 1993


Anekdoten - Vemod
rel September 1993


October Project - October Project
rel October 12, 1993


Pearl Jam - Vs
rel October 19, 1993


Rush - Counterparts
rel October 19, 1993


Alan Parsons - Try Anything Once
rel October 26, 1993


Angra - Angels Cry
rel November 3, 1993



Jeff Buckley - Live at Sin-é
rel November 23, 1993


Without Warning - Making Time
rel November 24, 1993


Crypt of Kerberos - World of Myths
rel 1993


Orphaned Land - The Beloved's Cry
rel 1993

Gracepoint - Echoes (2015-2016)

Holy crap! I had absolutely no CLUE these guys were putting out a new record! Although I forget, but it likely was at the Vektor show in February either in conversation with fellow minnesota prog metal fan and musician Sam Rhode, or That Drummer Guy, who may have mentioned they were back together. Or they never actually broke up? I forget, and don't quite know.

But obviously they are now together, and it's really been since about 2001 or 2002 I actually thought about them, sans for when talking about progressive rock in Minnesota and that progressive rock in Minnesota entry I did last year, and the entry about My Concert Attendance History.

But as I posted in there, I did enjoy their debut album Science of Discontent back in 2000 and 2001, etc quite a bit. I saw them live a few times, namely at what was known as "The Lab" (or The 4th Street Station? Ryans?) I recall then, and then eventually became "Station 4."

I also specifically remember interviewing them on KFAI around 2000 or 2001. Probably on Angie's show "In Your Ear." I seem to recall them talking about the band Cynic (and their album Focus) and the Steinberg guitars they used. Along with their use syncopation.

But, so this is their new album "Echoes" coming out Next Friday April 8th in fact. And there's 3 tracks already up to stream there on the bandcamp page. And I am really liking what I'm hearing. Do they sound different, after 16 years? Maybe a little, but I suppose their sound is similar but just more refined with cleaner, more polished production.

I guess I can't say for sure, but I wonder if this may be one of those albums that comes out of nowhere, and is a breath of fresh air, I get attached to this year. At a minimum it is great just to hear some new music from them again and to learn of their presence. Being from Minnesota or not. I suppose being a Minnesota band I once was into, and to see/hear them come back adds a little extra to this. But if the album is good, the Minnesota part will only be 1 element to enjoy about Echoes.



1. Animal 04:25
2. Spider 05:21
3. Secrets
4. Full Circle 06:49
5. Somber
6. Crucible
7. Bittersweet
8. July 4
9. Echoes
10. Moon

from bandcamp:
Since the release of their first album, “Science of Discontent”, Minneapolis based Gracepoint has continued to develop their distinctive approach to progressive metal. The goal from the inception of the band has been to create music that will be appreciated by both musicians and the average metal head. 
While “Science of Discontent” had a raw, underground sound, their newest release “Echoes” (April 2016) is the result of a collaboration with legendary producer/engineer Neil Kernon (Dokken, Queensryche, Nevermore). 

Drawing on a wide array of influences from classic heavy rock and metal, thrash and death metal, and a variety of progressive bands from the 70’s through today, Gracepoint has forged a heavy and rhythmically complex sound that remains focused and accessible. 

Bass player Sam Van Moer and drummer Lance Reed form a musical foundation rich in both syncopation and groove. Guitarists Lon Kunze and Stefan Radzilowski deal in aggressive and complex riffs while placing a clear emphasis on strong rhythmic and melodic phrasing. 

Together, the band tempers a myriad of time signature changes with groove, melodic sense, and concise song structures thereby forming the backdrop for the clear and powerful vocals of singer Matt Tennessen who brings another level of emotional depth and color to the music
credits
releases April 8, 2016

Cynic - Rest in Peace? (again)

9/11/15 6:01AM

Sean Reinert in response

From Cynic's Facebook


Instead of playing into the "tit for tat" game of trying to defend any accusations of unscrupulous behavior on my part, with regards to the split of Cynic (Paul and I: Two people, Not three) would be childish. But he's caught in a lie below saying he can't post and I took over the page which is obviously not true. I'll leave it at that. I can't physically stop Paul from playing CYNIC's music with other musicians, but it won't be CYNIC, merely Paul playing CYNIC songs with hired guns, which as stated he's wanted for a while. This isn't the way I wanted things to work out. 
-Sean 

D-R-A-M-A.

9/10/15 10:07PM

Well apparently the earlier announcement was a 1-way thing as
Paul Masvidal posted on FB

Dear fans and friends, this is all news to me. I just landed from Japan and my inbox was exploding. Sean didn't confer with myself or Malone about Cynic's official breakup or the tour being cancelled. I'm honestly somewhat relieved it's finally over since it's been quite challenging over the years but I'm also trying to figure out how to possibly salvage this tour (with a new drummer) since the damage he's causing by pulling out at this last minute is inconceivable for me at the moment. Please share this message with friends or fans as Sean has taken me off our FB page so I can't access it at the moment. Love to you all. I apologize for the drama...but sometimes life gets messy.

P.S. Cynic will continue one way or another.

I guess Cynic continuing as they are is different enough from the Focus-sound, I'm sure it will matter, but these situations are better resolved privately, typically. Hopefully Paul and Sean will be calm the flames soon.


9/10/15 2:38PM
I guess I can't be totally surprised and not incredibly down about this as their record from 2014 Kindly Bent to Free Us was not incredibly memorable, even compared to their previous EP Carbon Based Anatomy.

I personally love FOCUS, and the stuff they did since their comeback was not quite at the FOCUS level.

Still, it's sad to see them go. I can at least be happy I got to see them live (twice? I think, although not with Sean Malone unfortunately).

Weird/downer about them now breaking up and with uneXpect as well recently. I hope this pattern ends soon.



Facebook Link

It is with a heavy heart that I post today's CYNIC news. CYNIC is no longer an active band. Due to artistic and personal differences, the second chapter in the ‘BOOK OF CYNIC’ has come to an end.
I will say the last shows we played in JAPAN have left me with a positive charge, even though they were the last live performances with Paul, Sean Malone & I on the same stage. My longstanding creative partnership with Paul, which started when we were very young kids in south Florida, has simply endured so much friction that there is no way, from my perspective, that CYNIC can be salvaged, repaired or kept afloat by any means.

I profusely apologize to the fans who were not only expecting us in China & Taiwan (that was not our fault), but to the fans who were planning to see us in Europe next month. These things happen, unfortunately, to bands. There can be differing levels of conflicts and/or differences in opinions, musical directions, or perspectives. Sometimes these things are insurmountable, and no amount of time or effort can resolve them. This is the case with CYNIC.

This page will stay up, and of course there are our respective personal pages and websites that will continue to let everyone know what we’re doing individually.
I wish all of you love & peace.

-Sean

Cynic - Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014)

2/7/14 11:22AM
whole album is available to stream on p4k. Using google should bring you the link (nauseating thought of course that site would be where it's available, but whatevah).



1/28/14 4:30PM

New song/video for "True Hallucination Speak"
liking it. This album is sounding more and more like my thing. Very trippy (hence the title).


1/14/14 12:15PM

title track: no I haven't heard it yet (at work of course)


  12/10/13 4;22PM

PREORDER

track list now added, and a new track "The Lion's Roar" (with the typical Youtube compression included, but so be it).which after hearing once, I like, but hardly love initially. The digitized vocals seem gone forever. Many comments compare this track to something by the band Aeon Spoke which I've seen the name, but wasn't fully aware of is/was Sean Reinert and Paul Masdival's proggy college rock band from the mid 2000's, prior to the Traced In Air period.

In reading about and sampling some of Aeon's Spoke's music, I may want to check them out. And perhaps the comparisons in this new Cynic album to them will help me accept and enjoy this record more than I may have somehow, lol.

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cynic-kindly-bent-to-free-us-track-listing-revealed



01. True Hallucination Speak
02. The Lion’s Roar
03. Kindly Bent To Free Us
04. Infinite Shapes
05. Moon Heart Sun Head
06. Gitanjali
07. Holy Fallout
08. Endlessly Bountiful
09. Earth Is My Witness (deluxe CD book exclusive bonus track)


11/10/13 4:22PM
February 14th, 2014

I love Focus. Their last release, the Carbon Based Anatomy EP was interesting even if it had no Metal on it, and was them doing Post Rock. Traced In Air and The Portal Tapes sadly did more or less NOTHING for me (and given the fact they were written/recorded just after Focus, is maybe why they were so disappointing).

Why I am kind of not expecting this record to floor me or sound like Focus unfortunately. But perhaps it'll surprise me. I know a ton of people who will be going apeshit over it anyway, so if they find this posting, I'm happy to pass it along. More of the info as far as Tracklist, etc I would expect to happen soon.



From Facebook

The wait is soon over. Here's your look at the cover of Cynic's new album, "Kindly Bent to Free Us." Available worldwide on Valentine's Day, 2-14-14.


on a related note, I had no idea Focus was released on Vinyl earlier this year, and for $20 from THE LASERS EDGE, I just purchased a copy. 

Pitchfork Media: The Leader in Hipster Metal

2/6/14 9:33PM
Since when did Cynic become hipster? LOL sad thing is, the band themself shared this (otherwise I never would have noticed), and probably figure any exposure is good exposure. But it still is rather baffling to see their name along with anything involving that site, and their substance-less approach. Because they sure as hell have talked about Cynic in the past, and I'm sure they will now go ahead and stream and review Focus Traced In Air and the rest of  Cynic's discography, along with all the related projects like Atheist, Aghora, Gordian Knot, Aeon Spoke, etc, LOL.

on P4K's Facebook

1/23/12 3:02PM
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13035-faiseurs-de-mondes

https://twitter.com/#!/pitchforkmedia/status/161548420497145857

Yeah, yeah. I'm sure they're deeply schooled in listening to Black Metal and all sorts of other non-traditional styles of Metal. Their review history includes some Opeth albums, Mastodon, Agalloch's latest and maybe Krallice.

Yeah, Pukefork Media, where all Metal fans should get their reviews from.

LOL. They're probably never going to stop this shit until someone they look up to actually calls them out on it.

Cynic - The Portal Tapes (2012)

I stumbled on this on rateyourmusic earlier. If I am not mistaken, this ain't the new full-length record they are working on, but "old demos."

Now, given my appreciation for Focus, these might hold some intrigue. I recall some of this work was included on 1 or more of the Focus remasters, one of I personally purchased. But perhaps the versions on this  will differ in both arrangement and mix.

Why this was placed under their normal discography, rather than "Compilations" on rym, is confusing. But so be it. I'm curious about these, but don't want to go overboard about this. This is not their all-new material release that is expected to come in 2012. But I suppose this should tide myself and the bigger Cynic fans over a bit until then.

story



As previously announced, Cynic will finally share the legendary "Portal" demos on a worldwide scale. "The Portal Tapes" will be released on March 23rd (March 27th in North America) through Season of Mist. The track listing is as follows:



1. Endless Endeavors
2. Karma's Plight
3. Circle
4. Costumed in Grace
5. Cosmos
6. Crawl Above
7. Mirror Child
8. Road to You
9. Belong
10. Not the Same

The artwork was designed by the late Robert Venosa, the artist behind the cover artworks of all Cynic releases. "The Portal Tapes" will be released in strictly limited editions of 5000 digipak CDs and 1000 vinyl LPs.

11/13/11 Cynic with 3 and Iron Thrones @ Station 4

Okay, given the late hour, people might follow why so many concerts, tv, and movie reviews haven't found their way in here. (Time, discipline, etc. more to add soon. about that)

Iron Thrones: they played 5 or 6 songs I think, and I sensed among the 3 shows I've seen from them, they may have sounded the best from a performance standpoint. Now, just a point to make, when this tour was announced, Anathema was included as another potential band on the bill; but they couldn't make this show, nor the tour I don't believe. I think due to Visa issues, but I shouldn't be quoted about that.

So, someone who runs Station 4's facebook page asked for suggested local bands to open this show with Anathema canceling (and Scale the Summit, who will be coming with Protest the Hero in a few weeks). So I and especially my friend Josh suggested a few names (Brice Plays Drums, The Royal Veil and maybe 1 or 2 others), and Iron Thrones were among them. I had seen them with East of the Wall in 2010, and knew they were playing another show with EotW coming up.

So, I am glad they got to open this show, and if I had any reasonable part in helping them out, cool.

And their music, I guess I'd describe as slightly technical metalcore, is kind of hit and miss for me. I really enjoy some of the guitar tones they use, and when they use syncopation. Their vocals are a little hard to gauge given tonally their singer often sounds similar on more than one song. Although to be honest, that's hardly a huge factor for me, nor all that different than a lot of metalcore bands.

But the last point I can't forget is just Station 4. While thankfully tonight was not the Sauna that it can often be, namely in the Summer. The sound issues, namely the mix of the vocals and some of things, continues to disappoint me here and there. The vocals get drowned out by the distortion. It goes in and out, but I've experienced this issue there enough times to not be surprised by it. What they can do about it, I dunno.

3:
My Divided Falling
Battle Cry
Numbers
Alien Angel
Sparrow
High Times
Bramfatura
Jam
Amazedisgrace

they didn't have the extra members to jam on the tom drums like at Progressive Nation 2008 or when I saw them at the Entry in 2009. However, Joey and the others still had a great energy which is one of the biggest reasons why they stand out live. Although I'd be lying if the absence of those drummers/drumjams wasn't missed.

But like Iron Thrones, I found Joey's vocals going in and out and muffled at times. Now part of that could be he wasn't always directly on his microphone when he was really extending himself (and his head or neck). However, I spoke to him both after and before the show. And I actually asked him about them playing the song "Only Child" and he said they are looking to debut it at a show on December 30th in their hometown (Woodstock, NY). It making more sense to play it live the right/full way, etc.

But one reason he said they'd never do a song like that at a show like the show tonight is they didn't have a SOUNDCHECK. So, there you go. His vocals were drowned out sounding at times, go figure without a soundcheck.

But overall, especially the energy and some of the songs like "My Divided Falling" and "Alien Angel" really were enjoyable. And the "Bramfatura/Jam/Amazedisgrace" is always worth the price of admission. Joey popped a string on his acoustic and was sorta animated and tempted to smash it. But unlike Pete Townshend or Jimi Hendrix, a guitar smashing doesn't work too well in the budget.

It was cool chatting with him, Billy and some of the other members of 3 afterwards. Joey mentioned that they may, or have been approached to do some kind of split EP with Between the Buried and Me. Also perhaps Josh from Kiss Kiss/Vuvuzela could be working with them, playing with 3 as another guitarist and/or some new original music (if the opportunity was given). While many may not be aware (although not myself before last night) Joey is a big fan of Kiss Kiss. And that may largely be a result of when Three toured with Kiss Kiss, going back to 2006 with Kaddisfly, and I recall at least 1 or more tours a few years later.

As a fan of Josh and Kiss Kiss along with 3, I'd love to see that happen. Also The Dear Hunter as Joey knows and have done some shows with them. A tour with them could happen next year, if the timing were to work. Now whether those 2 bands doing a full-scale North American tour together, and it coming to St.Paul or Minneapolis is still a bit of wishful thinking right now. But logically it would be a great tour, and The Dear Hunter and 3 have gained at least a little more of a following in this town of late.

Cynic:

I'm guessing this is the setlist as it is given for the show from Friday.

Hieroglyph
Amidst The Coals
Carbon-Based Anatomy
Evolutionary Sleeper
How Could I
Adam's Murmur
Celestial Voyage
Elves Beam Out
King of Those Who Know
Veil of Maya
Wheels Within Wheels
Integral / Integral Birth
Box Up My Bones
The Space For This

given I love Focus, but also think/know it best as a complete, flowing record, this Cynic concert and setlist was a bit hit and miss for me. I do find their new EP Carbon Based Anatomy interesting, but not necessarily addictive or as Cynic-like. But I did enjoy the music from it, the samples and atmosphere tonight. However, compared to seeing the complete Focus back last year, this show didn't engage me throughout.

I will say, the best moments got my attention enough. They have this hypnotic quality often in their music, which really works wonders. And I think the sound issues were less noticed during their set for some reason. But overall I ended up getting an uneven reaction. Maybe it's just the material, mainly the Traced In Air work which I've never loved. Or maybe Station 4 had something to do with it. I would enjoy seeing them at another venue if possible, but the odds seem almost nil for that to happen. And given their interest (and lack of promotion in this town) I suppose there shouldn't be many reasons to be disappointed.

I also overheard someone mention they have a new record coming next year. I wonder how much of the ambient, post-rock kind of work (like from their new EP) it'll include.

mplsmusic.com update

So in finally hearing back from Mike at mplsmusic.com, I have at least a better idea of how things will work for now.

It's about LOCAL music, pretty much 100%. That's okay, and I'm more than happy about the chance to write about local acts. However, stuff like National touring acts, even when a LOCAL artist opens, it sounds like is a no-go. Or rather, the only way that is cool, is if the article is written pretty much 100% about said local artist.

In other words, for example Iron Thrones is a local progressive Metalcore band who in the coming weeks will be opening both for East of the Wall and Cynic/3.

Cynic, 3, and East of the Wall are not local bands, and honestly, are the main reason I am attending those shows. But if I understand what they wish for, is content only about those locals. I suppose I could mention those bands in a review, but nothing more.

So, which basically makes me think I'll still write a review about Iron Thrones at said shows, but at least in the review IN HERE, it'll include content about 3, Cynic, East of the Wall. In other words, the reviews on mplsmusic.com in those cases will be abridged only for the locals.

Okay, but this does lead me to work-on a few projects of sorts involving local acts. I suppose mainly reviews/dissections of their catalogs and some recollections. 2 bands in particular being Cloud Cult and especially Lehto & Wright. I foresee now investing some time with both of their catalogs soon and posting what I can on here and there, unabridged.

I'm still rather excited about this, it's just I am now getting a better idea of how the process will work (in relation to this blog, etc).

Cynic - Carbon-Based Anatomy [EP] (2011)

10/12/11 1:20AM

Stream/dl the title track.

Good, including the layering of the vocals. However, they are not exactly like the Focus style of digitized vocal effects. But I am optimistic about this more so after hearing that.


9/6/11 3:16PM


Season of the Mist link

Release date: Fri, Nov 11 2011, US Tue, Nov 15 2011



1. Amidst The Coals
2. Carbon-Based Anatomy
3. Bija!
4. Box Up My Bones
5. Elves Beam Out
6. Hieroglyph

Forefathers of Progressive Metal CYNIC have recorded a new EP entitled "Carbon-Based Anatomy", to be released on November 11th in Europe (November 15th in North America). Contrary to last year's "Re-Traced", this new EP exclusively consists of brand new material.

The artwork was designed by the great Robert Venosa, the artist behind the cover artworks of "Focus", "Traced in Air" and "Re-Traced". We regret to announce that Robert passed away last month. RIP.

Paul Masvidal describes this new EP as "both a philosophical as well as a musical journey, one that begins in the Amazon jungle on the lips of a shamanic wisewoman (as portrayed by Amy Correia) and ends in outerspace".

Last but not least, the fans will be excited to know that all bass parts on "Carbon-Based Anatomy" were recorded by Mr. Sean Malone.


For those who aren't aware, I happen to really enjoy Cynic's debut album from 1993, Focus which featured the bass guitar work of Sean Malone. It's possibly the best technical metal album ever. However, 2008's return record Traced in Air, I found boring. I just looked it up, and Malone was on it, but I'm not sure how much creative input he had. He did not tour with Cynic, which was the only downside of seeing them live last year.

I suppose given his contributions to TiA, I'm still not expecting a huge comeback here, but I suppose with that note about the artist passing away sadly, their might be some inspiration on these songs, that may improve the music overall. Suppose we'll see soon enough. I do wonder, if Cynic can release an EP late in the year, how many of these other up-in-the-air (no pun intended) albums from bands could still come (and info still come). Hopefully more than I'm expecting.

Cynic US Tour: Support 3, Anathema, STS

one posting with some dates

Cynic‘s upcoming tour with 3 has begun to take shape with initial dates available below. The trek will also apparently feature Scale The Summit and Anathema at a number of the stops with more details pending.

11/03 West Chester, PA – The Note (no 3)
11/05 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre (“The Metal Suckfest“) (no 3)
11/11 Pontiac, MI – Clutch Cargo’s
11/12 Joliet, IL – Mojoes
11/13 St. Paul, MN – Station 4
11/18 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
11/22 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
11/23 West Hollywood, CA – Key Club


I'll be going to the show on the 13th, however, it'll mean a lot more if in fact Anathema is there. Station 4? as I've said many times before about them, credit to them for booking good tours, but their sound and environment (namely how hot it gets) has really led me to sour about that place. So much so, I may even prefer 1st Crapenue now, lol.

But so be it. It's a show with some great bands, however the venue circumstances will have to be secondary. Perhaps they'll install air conditioning and have the right guy doing sound (unlike whoever did the last Fair to Midland show, along with Protest the Hero a few years ago).