Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible Follow-Up to One of the Most Underrated and Influential Metal Albums Ever, November 25, 2008
Cynic's "Focus" was an under-the-radar cult phenomenon that changed the shape of modern metal. Nobody had ever produced a CD that sounded even remotely like it before, and truly no one has since. Technical and Progressive Metals have grown and matured and played off of ideas expressed on that disc for over a decade, but not a single band (even Dream Theater, Spiral Architect, Canvas Solaris, Symphony X, Redemption, Aghora, Zero Hour, Blotted Science, etc) has ever equalled the musicianship and pure strangitude that was Cynic. They are not the only fathers of this genre, but they are more relevant than many are aware. That these musicians are together again after 15 years is awesome.
Ok, this is not Focus. If you thought it was going to be, you should have paid more attention to the words on the cover.
This is Traced in Air. And it is amazing. It is multilayered, beautifully produced and shockingly arranged. On my first listens I wasn't sure what to make of it, but that was equally true with Focus. As I hear it more, I am strongly feeling that it will actually eclipse its predecessor in my appreciation. Where Focus expanded on traditional songwriting structures with unheard of melodic layers and exotic effects, Traced in Air completely obliterates those structures from the very start. Here is the simple fact, from one who makes his living selling music, specializing in progressive rock and metal: I've heard most of what is out there, and there is nothing else like this.
Does that mean you'll like it? I don't know. It requires patience. It requires an open mind. It helps to have a metaphysical bone or two already. You probably won't move much the first time you hear it. Masvidal does not care what you think of it. He does not care if you want a 70 minute disc to get out your ya yas. He doesn't even adhere to the standard dogmas of Tech Metal that his own work helped to create. This is not about time signatures or note values. It is an epic wave of sound. Traced in Air is just over 30 minutes, and it is another piece of Cynic's journey. Tag along if you dare. It is an amazing work of art.
I love it, and I think I'm going to go listen to it again now.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Classic from Cynic!, November 25, 2008
This album is a gigantic progressive journey from beginning to end, much like "Focus". The technical, jazz fusion style of guitar playing and innovative songwriting is still the driving force behind the band. That style of guitar playing does not take away from the catchiness of the songs however, there are many memorable elements to be found within, yet you'll find that they start presenting themselves only after multiple listens. So "Traced in Air" has become an album that has much to offer and doesn't do instant gratification. From the blissful harmonies in "Evolutionary Sleeper" to the incredibly melodic soloing in "The Unknown Guest", it is an album that will keep you coming back for more, and it will actually have more to offer on the next listen. "King of Those Who Know" is just incredible with its instrumental arrangements and the way the song is built up. The new Dutch band member Tymon Kruidenier provides one of the few things that reminds the listener of Cynic's death metal past, growling vocals which are most prevalent in songs like "Integral Birth". "Traced in Air" basically does what "Focus" did back in the day and expands on that, which is quite the achievement and pretty amazing. Yes, I would even go so far as to say that this album indeed surpasses "Focus" and does not bring any tarnish to its legacy. This is one of those mandatory albums that anybody that is into metal needs to buy this year.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Already been said, November 26, 2008
This is an amazing album and is for anyone who appreciates complex, melodic music. It is not "Focus 2," so if that's what you're expecting, forget it. This album sounds like a band who has taken 15 years to mature as musicians and song writers and aren't concerned about sounding metal for the sake of it. This album is a 34 minute auditory epic journey and I love it every step of the way.
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