CYNIC

Cynic is one of the rare bands whose influence on progressive music can genuinely be called foundational. Formed more than thirty years ago by Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert, the band emerged from the late-80s technical death metal movement with a vision that blended jazz fusion, complex rhythms, expressive vocals and a philosophical approach to songwriting.

Their debut Focus (1993) became a landmark release, introducing shimmering guitar work, fluid fretless bass and jazz-infused drumming that reshaped the boundaries of extreme and progressive metal. After a long hiatus, Cynic returned with Traced in Air (2008), an album widely regarded as one of the most singular works in the genre. Its radiant melodies, intricate rhythmic interplay and Sean Malone’s unmistakable fretless bass created a sound that no other band has truly replicated.

The group continued to evolve with releases such as Carbon-Based Anatomy (2011), Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014) and Ascension Codes (2021), exploring themes of consciousness and transformation through a blend of progressive rock, ambient textures and metal.

Among their many accomplishments, Cynic has performed and toured alongside Opeth, Meshuggah, Between the Buried and Me, The Devin Townsend Project and Dream Theater. Their impact is reflected in Mikael Åkerfeldt’s statement that “there would be no Opeth if it wasn’t for Cynic.”

Cynic remains a singular presence in modern progressive music, with performances that highlight a catalogue as influential as it is unique.