Cynic (band)
American progressive metal band known for technical innovation.
A 1994 Miami New Times article described Cynic as a band with the potential to create their own style, not a typical metal band.[1] Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert founded Cynic in Miami, Florida during 1987, and the group is categorized as an American progressive metal band.[2][3] Progressive rock, alternative, and metal are all genres whose elements appear in Cynic's music.[2]
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Miami, Florida, U.S.
- Genre
- Progressive metal
- progressive rock
- jazz fusion
- technical death metal
- Years active
- 1987–1994; 2006–present
- Label
- Roadrunner
- Season of Mist
- Century Media
- Spinoffs
- Æon Spoke; Gordian Knot
- Current members
- Paul Masvidal
- Mike Gilbert
- Brandon Giffin
- Jake Wehn
Facts from the source article.
Making and release
The recording of their debut album Focus was delayed because Masvidal and Reinert had toured with Death and their gear was confiscated for six months.[4][5] Following that demo, Paul Masvidal assumed the role of lead vocalist in addition to his guitar playing.[6] A contract with Roadrunner Records was signed by Cynic in 1991, and they subsequently recorded their fourth demo.[6] September 14, 1993 was the international release date for Focus.[5]
Cynic split up in 1994, got back together in 2006, and put out their second album Traced in Air through Season of Mist in 2008.[7]
What the cited sources add
A 1994 Miami New Times article reported that Masvidal said "We all have something unique to say musically, and it’s wonderful when we mesh it together and turn it into Cynic"[1] The Decibel article also noted that Masvidal's alien, computer-like voice and the use of Chapman Stick by bassist Sean Malone contributed to Cynic's songwriting.[8] A 2017 Blabbermouth article reported that Sean Reinert officially exited Cynic after reaching a settlement with Paul Masvidal regarding the rights to the band's name.[9] The Season of Mist release page for The Portal Tapes states that after splitting up, Cynic members formed the short-lived project Portal with Chris Kringel and vocalist Aruna Abrams.[10]
References
- Christina Henriques, "Faded Glory – Page 1 – Music – Miami", Miami New Times, January 26, 1994. facts only, no text reused. miaminewtimes.com
- Wikipedia, "Cynic (band)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Ratliff, B. Progressive Metal, With a Virtuosic Accompaniment, The New York Times, Feb. 2010, (retrieved January 30, 2011); Christina Henriques, "Faded Glory – Page 1 – Music – Miami", Miami New Times, January 26, 1994; ; Photograph: Oliver Faig, "Music: The best (and worst) of 2008 – Music – Time Out New York", Timeout.com, December 16, 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Cynic (band)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Norris, "Cynic", Press of Darkness, March 31, 2010, p. 16 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Cynic (band)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Cynic page at Roadrunner Records, (retrieved January 30, 2011); Opening the Crypts: Cynic, Roadrunner records, (retrieved January 30, 2011) (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Cynic (band)" (CC BY-SA 4.0) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Cynic (band)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hickman, "Unearthly Ambitions - The Story of Cynic #1: Early Demos '88-'90", Invisible Oranges, May 5, 2021 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Cynic (band)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Cynic's 'Traced in Air' Pushed Back To November", Roadrunnerrecords.com; Harris, "DragonForce Frontman Not As Impressed As 'Guitar Hero' Fans; Plus Deftones, All That Remains And More News That Rules, In Metal File – Music, Celebrity, Artist News", MTV, May 9, 2008 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Cynic – "Focus"", Decibel Magazine, October 1, 2009. facts only, no text reused. decibelmagazine.com
- "Cynic To Continue Without Drummer Sean Reinert", Blabbermouth.net, December 10, 2017. facts only, no text reused. blabbermouth.net
- "The Portal Tapes – Cynic", Season of Mist. facts only, no text reused. season-of-mist.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Cynic (band) (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in American Progressive Metal Musical Groups
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced