Cynic - Focus(1993)

Track Listing:

1. Veil of Maya
2. Celestial Voyage
3. The Eagle Nature
4. Sentiment
5. I'm But a Wave To...
6. Uroboric Forms
7. Textures
8. How Could I

Lineup:

• Paul Masvidal
• Jason Gobel
• Sean Malone
• Sean Reinert

great release from a super group hailing from Florida, CYNIC never really got the credit they deserved. soon after this album , which is now considered a landmark in the field of progressive thrash/ death / the members decided to split up & join other bands. Masvidal & Reinert who were earlier with DEATH, along with Gobel formed GORDIAN KNOT, which is another super group consisting of members from various progressive rock & metal bands. Reinert also had AGHORA to keep him busy, while Malone hit the studios to record several sessions in jazz, and progressive rock. his collaboration with DREAM THEATERS Mike Portnoy & Kevin Moore along with guitar god Jim Matheos of FATES WARNING had prog buffs all excited.

coming to this album, it has strong complex song structures. Masvidal uses a lot of guitar synths & weird vocal effects to create an eerie alien like ambience. he shifts between clean & death growls with ease. Malone's bass playing is very technical to the point , one can easily mistake him for playing bass solo in every song.

'Veil of Maya', 'Celestial Voyage' , 'Textures', 'How Could I' are just classics in the field of prog/death.

this album clearly shows the influence it had on mighty bands like MESHUGGAH & TEXTURES.


even though its been more than 15 years since its release, it still requires at least 3 listens before one gets hooked to it. this is not really for the everage metal head, coz the music is not average, but for serious listeners who want to explore the boundries of where metal can really go, should love this album

my rating
10/10

review by Pritham 'Metal farmer' D'Souza