77 replies to this topic

[gardens of grief]

anyone like?

[Solaris]

one of my best friends is particularly cynical.

[Lime Fetus]

No, but judging by your sig and avatar, I would probably like.

[Oceanic]

WOW, I thought nobody knew of this band. Some amazing guitar work. Great band.

[stanway89]

Cynic own us all.

[pixiesfanyo]

Been digging on this record alot lately. Probably one of the most impressive musical performances I've heard from all the members involved.

This has been out for about 10 years now and there is still nothing like it. While there are fragments of Cynic's sound appearing in the later works of Sean Malone and Sean Reinert (namely Gordian Knot and Aghora), Cynic remains a unique proclamation among progressive metal.

Although commonly associated with death metal, it sounds nothing like Morbid Angel or Cannibal Corpse. A comparison to Death would probably be closer to the mark, but even that is pretty dubious. The music of _Focus_ is fast and technical, intricately woven together, with complexity at times seeming like a jigsaw puzzle with no solution. The style is defined by an abundance of complex meters & polymeter, microtonality, interlacing non-synchronous parts between all instruments, textural arrangements, refined percussion that is equally understated and fierce, and ostinatos held by one instrument while others weave around it. There are various changes in tonal shades but they are extremely unpredictable and follow few traditional chord changes. The music sounds spontaneous and subtly energized, like the band is channeling it and recording the first take -- but with the complications in meter would make this impossible. There are some elements of world music, but they are very understated since they appear more in compositional concepts than actual exotic timbres in the songs.

Mid-ranged throat-gouging rasps are the dominant vocal feature, but there are also synth-processed vocals and female vocals which lend atmosphere at timely moments. The rasping vocals are not terribly harsh and I like them a lot -- instead of sounding intimidating and aggressive they sound like they are in the midst of some sort of transformation.

Lyrical concepts are far beyond traditional metal, tending to be spiritual and/or occult. From the opener, "Veil of Maya": "In Maya's grip illusion transforms verity, perceiving thus a delusive world of duality."

Best of all, Cynic's music has a sense of unusual beauty and intensity, not unlike the "Angelic Manifestation" painting which serves at the album cover art.

Check it out if you haven't.

Oh, and Nivius.. this is probably some METAL FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE METAL.

[Flak]

Really is an amazing CD

[Myrmecophile]

I can't say I like it that much. The vocoder is seriously annoying.

[slyhopski]

that florida death metal scene was fucking killer.

cynic, death, atheist and obituary were some of the best ever, no doubt.

[pixiesfanyo]

I love the vocoder.

[Myrmecophile]

I'm giving this yet another listen and I'm still not feeling it. Atheist are a hell of a lot better, although neither are heavy enough.

[pixiesfanyo]

Too complex for you.

[Myrmecophile]

I do love the final song on Focus, though.

[pixiesfanyo]

Yeah, that's how I was. Didn't think the rest of the album was that special and thought the last song had the coolest guitar solo on earth.

I eventually changed my mind.

[Myrmecophile]

New song off the forthcoming follow up to Focus:

[Rob_Floyd]

The new song is really good. It has been so long since I last listened to Focus. I think I will do so today.

[pixiesfanyo]

New song rules.

[Zenance]

do they still have the same people in the band

[Agajagajagajagajaga]

I enjoy all of Focus, but "Veil of Maya" is the highlight for me, and one of the strongest opening songs I've ever heard.

The new song sounds great, and the guy seemed pleasant.

[pixiesfanyo]

I think they lost Malone and Gobel.

Who were the lead guitarist and bassist.