Written by Raziel X on 06.11.2008 at 23:01

I dont mind the effect, I like the album, has a great jazzy feel.
Sure Focus is untouchable kinda, but that doesnt mean that the new album isnt good, it is great, and still beats much of the contemporary prog metal
IMO it is pretty close to Focus

That's definitely it... that untouchable-ness was impossible to follow so maybe Traced In Air just seems worse to me because I am comparing it to Focus too much... I love the jazzy feel in the music but the vocoder just got to me...
I guess it is all relative to one's personal taste

Written by Introspekrieg on 06.11.2008 at 23:21

Written by Raziel X on 06.11.2008 at 23:01

I dont mind the effect, I like the album, has a great jazzy feel.
Sure Focus is untouchable kinda, but that doesnt mean that the new album isnt good, it is great, and still beats much of the contemporary prog metal
IMO it is pretty close to Focus

That's definitely it... that untouchable-ness was impossible to follow so maybe Traced In Air just seems worse to me because I am comparing it to Focus too much... I love the jazzy feel in the music but the vocoder just got to me...
I guess it is all relative to one's personal taste

Yep, the jazzy feel rules, and Traced in air is still going to be one of the best prog releases of the year IMO. As for the vocoder, it is not a thing I enjoy much, but I can stand it and it doesnt bugger me that much

It is truly a masterpiece. I wish I had the change to see Cynic now. We never know, with the new album and all.

I think I still prefer Focus over Traced In Air but they are very different albums in a way.

I remember the first time I listened to Focus, Veil of Maya and I was like "what the hell is this? It sounds different in a very good way" and then I was hooked.

I really don't get why it's so loved...

Written by Nicko's Nose on 26.02.2009 at 21:18

I really don't get why it's so loved...

Because it was something totally new and fucking brilliant at the time. And it still is brrilliant imo (unlike Traced In Air)

Finally I listened to this album without interruptions, totally alone in my world, putting all of my attention to the music and lyrics and let me say that this is awesome, totally great and very very well done (yes, even if the production is not the best) . I really liked this album, "Veil of Maya", "Uroboric Forms" and "Textures" are my favorites, and BTW some parts made me think of Death.
And yes, as Marcel said, surely in 1993 this was "something totally new and fucking brilliant", I second that. "Traced In Air" is not a bad album but sadly it is not as good as "Focus", still is very enjoyable.

Easly one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time and i have met Paul and Sean some of the nicest people i have ever met long live Cynic. This album is eather something your going to get or go completely over your head so i can understand why some people don't get it.

I agree TOTALLY with this review, it truly is a masterpiece; it certainly deserves more than the 8.8 it's got now.

I mean, what the hell is Blackwater Park doing so damned high?! It's bland as shit! The transitions are messy and OVER-DRAAAAAAWN; just generally bland in every aspect.

THIS is how you make a record, THIS is what Opeth wants to be.

This album is a masterpiece... a really unique, brilliant masterpiece

Cynic is one of my favorite bands, I can hear both their albums over and over and not get tired

Oh yeah texture is beautiful... "i rolled up the biggest joint possible and left the planet with cynic"... one of the precious album that i own

Sounds like an bloody epic album but i haven't checked out till now.........now after reading this, i surely am going to..........:devil:

Simply put ...... a masterpeice 10/10 without a doubt.

Am I the only one who noticed that there are two Djent bands which are named after Cynic's song titles (Veil of Maya and Textures)? This discovery made my day

I bought this album about 5 years ago and have listened to it every then and now, but today is the first time I actually thought it is an pretty awesome album (except the robotic vocals).

I just returned the 3rd time to this album, I must say after after digging myself into prog rock and jazz this is a pure diamond of music. So perfect, no weak moments, it's so well composed it's just flowing.

Does anyone else get a BTBAM vibe from this... I have a feeling after listening to this that they were influenced by this album.

Written by Soulhole on 01.08.2015 at 08:01

Does anyone else get a BTBAM vibe from this... I have a feeling after listening to this that they were influenced by this album.

Nope.

Independent success here by Cynic. They pulled off some great moments here and further, gone onto record one of their best albums in Cynic's catalogue.

Influences does range from early-acts but not from BTBAM.

Only a month back, I was listening to this on my pad and was ectatatic to see how refreshing this record is. Every song spewed some new elements and that just makes the record more beautiful, classy and spectacular.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 02.08.2015 at 08:44

Written by Soulhole on 01.08.2015 at 08:01

Does anyone else get a BTBAM vibe from this... I have a feeling after listening to this that they were influenced by this album.

Nope.

Independent success here by Cynic. They pulled off some great moments here and further, gone onto record one of their best albums in Cynic's catalogue.

Influences does range from early-acts but not from BTBAM.

Only a month back, I was listening to this on my pad and was ectatatic to see how refreshing this record is. Every song spewed some new elements and that just makes the record more beautiful, classy and spectacular.

It's definitely something special. I love when I hear something like this that is old but haven't come across yet. Same thing happened to me about a year ago when I first listened to Edge of Sanity and Dan Swano's older stuff. Epic!

Written by Soulhole on 04.08.2015 at 07:15

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 02.08.2015 at 08:44

Written by Soulhole on 01.08.2015 at 08:01

Does anyone else get a BTBAM vibe from this... I have a feeling after listening to this that they were influenced by this album.

Nope.

Independent success here by Cynic. They pulled off some great moments here and further, gone onto record one of their best albums in Cynic's catalogue.

Influences does range from early-acts but not from BTBAM.

Only a month back, I was listening to this on my pad and was ectatatic to see how refreshing this record is. Every song spewed some new elements and that just makes the record more beautiful, classy and spectacular.

It's definitely something special. I love when I hear something like this that is old but haven't come across yet. Same thing happened to me about a year ago when I first listened to Edge of Sanity and Dan Swano's older stuff. Epic!

My point was that there wasn't anything BTBAM-vibe in it.

Other than that, I agree on how old records shows us little new moments in it.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 04.08.2015 at 20:37

Written by Soulhole on 04.08.2015 at 07:15

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 02.08.2015 at 08:44

Written by Soulhole on 01.08.2015 at 08:01

Does anyone else get a BTBAM vibe from this... I have a feeling after listening to this that they were influenced by this album.

Nope.

Independent success here by Cynic. They pulled off some great moments here and further, gone onto record one of their best albums in Cynic's catalogue.

Influences does range from early-acts but not from BTBAM.

Only a month back, I was listening to this on my pad and was ectatatic to see how refreshing this record is. Every song spewed some new elements and that just makes the record more beautiful, classy and spectacular.

It's definitely something special. I love when I hear something like this that is old but haven't come across yet. Same thing happened to me about a year ago when I first listened to Edge of Sanity and Dan Swano's older stuff. Epic!

My point was that there wasn't anything BTBAM-vibe in it.

Other than that, I agree on how old records shows us little new moments in it.

His point was that BTBAM has a lot of Cynic - Focus vibe in it. Yea, English seems to hard for you to grasp but this was as clear as it could be.

Vice versa I don't find any Cynic influence in BTBAM either.

Two different bands have their own representation of music.

Great album, it's a masterpiece; but Traced In Air is better. Not by a wide margin, but for prog fans I would classify it as one of the greatest albums of all time.

This is one of the most unique Progressive Death Metal records that i´ve listened.

A real gem, for sure.