"On the basis of Traced In Air, more so than it's predecessor 'Focus', Cynic should be understood not so much alongside any metal bands, but along with such radical harmonic progressives in the last 45 years of pop and jazz as Milton Nascimento, the Beach Boys or Pat Metheny." - The New York Times: 2008 Critics Choice
"Traced In Air's cleaner sound owes more to prog gods Mahavishnu Orchestra and King Crimson than to death metal proper." - Revolver
"....this sophomore release sounds like the doctoral thesis of a summa cum laude student: Beautiful. Grade A+." - The Aquarian Weekly: BUZZ
"...the welter of detail is about one-quarter mathematically busy, earning it's designation as "progressive" music, and three-quarters flamboyantly, outrageously beautiful." - The San Diego Union - Tribune
"...there is nothing like this out there. Period. Focus was groundbreaking for a reason. Traced In Air once again proves that original music can still be written. Best album of 2008? Hell, try one of the best albums of the decade. Get this." - Guitar World - Metal Kult
"How do you follow a timeless classic? Wait 15 years and make another one! Traced In Air is a sublime, otherworldly monument to artistry, inspiration and music itself!" - Metal Hammer
"The music seems to breathe, exciting our lungs during it's heaviest moments, then halting our exhale as it transitions into twinkling starry atmospheres until -- suddenly the boundary is erased. The band's two most distinctive elements had previously been wrestling in a heated love-affair and are now eloped in a startling symbiosis." - Metal Sucks
Albums to remember of 2008: "Ruthlessly original, while still keeping the tradition of prog masterminds like King Crimson and Pink Floyd, Cynic is sure to only increase their cult cred with this CD." - The Kosmopolitan Online
Voted 1 Album of 2008 - "Traced In Air comes off as a single, coherent piece and should be heard and experienced as such. Listen to it in its entirety and not out of sequence, because this is as close to perfection as you get." - Ultimate Guitar
"Traced In Air is a masterpiece through and through, and for once, we get a reunion album that is worth a damn and better yet, a collection of songs that will hold up for generations to come. Simply monumental." - Blistering.com
“Traced in Air's legitimacy is difficult to question...altogether brief, 35-minute length should rest assured that it is easily offset by the sheer density of strange and beautiful musical nuances layered within, and the time required to absorb them all.” - All Music Guide
"Progressive rock needs a band like Cynic now more than ever because despite a flurry of activity in the genre and the nostalgic feel of the album, it sounds as revolutionary as anything I've heard." - No Filler Music
"Cynic have shown the world what it truly means to be a progressive metal band. All the songs on the album pick you up off your feet and carry you where you can be lost in the music, only to thrown into a tornado of organized chaos which leaves you breathless just set you back down on your feet a few moments later." - WKNC
"Without losing virtuosity or complexity, Cynic have become even more accurate, accessible and also a bit more genius." - Zilo Magazine
"The long anticipated follow up only reinforces their place in progressive music history." - Dangerdog.com
‘How do you follow a timeless classic?’ writes Dom Lawson from magazine Metal Hammer, referring to Cynic’s debut album "Focus“ from 1993. ‘Wait 15 years and make another one! “Traced In Air“ is a sublime, otherworldly monument to artistry, inspiration and music itself.‘
Cynic is back! Fifteen years after the band’s seminal debut “Focus“, the band returns with what can be termed a perfectly timed follow-up: The new album is “Traced in Air“ and defies easy categorization, pushing the boundaries once again of the progressive metal genre. Even proponents of the band’s previous output were somewhat shocked upon initial listenings to “Focus” in early 1993. Nobody could possibly have predicted the incredible strides the band would make in a year’s time. Their musical merits had already been well-documented by this time, not only in the earlier CYNIC material which showcased their instrumental prowess, but also within their contributions to other projects. It was particularly on the breakthrough fourth album from Death - “Human” - when the greater world learned of Reinert and Masvidal in particular, as their participation allowed late bandleader Chuck Schuldiner to realize a new technical benchmark in extreme music, something that only helped to fuel the demand for a full-length CYNIC album.
The legacy that they had left behind with only eight recorded songs from their first and only album, was truly amazing, rightly earning them undeniable cult-status. So when the legendary US band announced their reunion tour in 2007 to perform the music that made them famous, the outpouring of support from dedicated fans as well as the press was a catalyst for founding member and songwriter, Paul Masvidal, to take a creative leap-of-faith. After the reunion tour, Masvidal began what would become a relentless nine-month-journey dedicated to re-visiting his roots and re-discovering his musical vision as one of progressive rock’s most innovative guitar players and fearlessly original composers. With Cynic co-founder and musical heavyweight, drummer Sean Reinert, the pair forged the resulting album, “Traced in Air”...
Hello, We've recently released our second full album "When Light Uncovers Grey" Check out some new songs on our myspace, register on our website and download the song "Time" for free. Metal grtz, http://www.the-difference.be
I love you..whenever I'm having a bad day I can listen to any Cynic song and all is well again..Wheels within Wheels sounds great. Can't wait for the EP.
Wow i remember Focus big time!!!I also remember seeing a couple of ya guys playing with Chuck's(Death)album Human,fucking bueatiful!!!Thanx for the add and thanx for getting back together!!!Your soldier from the Victory Base Complex Baghdad,Iraq!!!Mitch!!!
You guys, I know its a bit late but I gotta say... the show in St. Pete was fantastic. I was crushed when I couldn't see you last tour and thought i'd have to wait forever BUT I made it! and it was so worth it.
Saw the show in Charlotte, it was great. Think you should've played more songs from Focus though, it would've gone better with the crowd who was there for BTBAM.
Amazing show tonight in Knoxville. I can't express how thankful i am that i got to see you all live! I'm not sure i've ever felt more connected with a band before at a show. Thank you all!
guys, what an amazing setlist last night in charleston, that was a show ill never forget paul, the solo in evolutionary sleepers literally brought me to tears, god damn im loving the new material, reminds me a lot of Aeon Spoke please come back some day!
Y'all Blew Everyone Outta The Water Last night In Florida. I Love Your Message, Celestrial Blessings To Y'all On The last Three Days Of Touring. Namaste!
I was a bit shy to say anything, but thank you Paul for letting my friends and I into the St. Petersburg show, after being told it was sold out. It was a moment in my life that I will cherish forever.
Just saw you at the State Theatre in St.Pete with Townsend and between the buried. You guys still kick some serious ass after all those years. Keep up writing the good stuff////
![Gino [Basse]](http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/149/s_c52164c91f894a509d076fa023cc97b9.jpg)
