Cynic - Traced In Air (2008)

Well, it's been a long, long time since the masterful 'Focus' record took death metal to new extremes, a polished vortex of complexity that left the listener stunned and bewildered by its freshness and technical brilliance. Although the reunion caused a great stir, in no way is this the Cynic of 1993, despite the wonderful intrigue, the unknown journey of their sound and the vortex they create. Vocally, it rarely touches upon death metal, not that the debut album was a total death metal album, but this time the progressive nature sees the band discover some startling melodies, but structures bereft of extremity as such. 'Integral Birth' sees a background deathly growl, but somehow Cynic even make the vocal attack a complexity, a sweeping, breezy wisp accompanied by jerking, jazzy, awkward, flipping, tossing and spinning musicianship that will simply blow you away. A majority of death metallers may find this album all too mellow, like I said, only on rare occasions to the band care to venture into the more extreme edges of 'Focus', instead they cast out an intricate web of soaring yet uncatchable solo's, drums which flutters and flicker beyond the ear, and a vocal swoon which'll have you believing a computer must be behind the mic. 'Traced In Air', just like Atheist's 'Elements' is always compelling but so distant and alien you can only giggle at its mesmerising ability to drag you along without effort but leave you standing agog as it deserts you in the middle of some crystal galaxy. 'King Of Those Who Know' is a beautiful odyssey which even in its greatness attempts at a death metal backing vocal, just couldn't be death metal due to its vast layers and trickling soundscapes. I can't go on about the wonders of Cynic, they are simply a very much acquired taste, forget the likes of Dream Theatre, this is a true trip into the unknown with a band who've never been part of any kind of framework but always admired for their elusive genius. I never thought extreme metal could be this seductive.

9/10