Cynic (band)

Cynic
Cynic live at Gods of Metal in 2009
Cynic live at Gods of Metal in 2009
Background information
OriginMiami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1987–1994
  • 2006–present
Labels
Spinoffs
Members
Past members
Websitelisten.cyniconline.com/bio

Cynic is an American progressive metal band formed in Miami, Florida in 1987. The band has been primarily based in California since the late 1990s (or 1996), marking a significant shift in their geographic and creative roots. Paul Masvidal originally served solely as the band's guitarist, but later took over as lead vocalist and chief songwriter. Cynic incorporates elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal.[1][2][3][4]

Their first album, Focus, was released in 1993. Cynic disbanded in 1994, reunited in 2006, and released their second album in 2008.[5] Traced in Air was released through French label Season of Mist,[6] followed up by an EP titled Re-Traced in 2010 and an EP titled Carbon-Based Anatomy in 2011. Their third studio album, Kindly Bent to Free Us, was released in 2014.

In December 2017, after two years of uncertainty surrounding his involvement,[7][8] founding drummer Sean Reinert confirmed his split from Cynic.[9] Reinert later died unexpectedly, at the age of 48, in January 2020.[10] Longtime Cynic bass player Sean Malone died at the age of 50 eleven months later.[11] The band's fourth album, Ascension Codes, was released in December 2021.

  1. ^ Ratliff, B. Progressive Metal, With a Virtuosic Accompaniment, The New York Times, Feb. 2010, (retrieved January 30, 2011)
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Miami New Times was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ [1] Archived November 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Photograph: Oliver Faig (December 16, 2008). "Music: The best (and worst) of 2008 – Music – Time Out New York". Timeout.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  5. ^ "Cynic's 'Traced in Air' Pushed Back To November". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  6. ^ Harris, Chris (May 9, 2008). "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. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  7. ^ "Cynic Calls It Quits... Again". Blabbermouth.net. September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  8. ^ "Cynic 'Will Continue One Way Or Another,' Says Paul Masvidal". Blabbermouth.net. September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  9. ^ "Cynic To Continue Without Drummer Sean Reinert". Blabbermouth.net. December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  10. ^ "Death & Cynic Metal Drummer Sean Reinert Dead at 48". TMZ. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "Cynic Bassist Sean Malone Dead At 50". Blabbermouth. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.