Cynic - Focus review
| Band: | Cynic |
| Album: | Focus |
| Style: | Progressive death metal |
| Release date: | September 1993 |
01. Veil Of Maya
02. Celestial Voyage
03. The Eagle Nature
04. Sentiment
05. I'm But A Wave To...
06. Uroboric Forms
07. Textures
08. How Could I
09. Veil Of Maya [2004 remix] [The Expanded Edition bonus]
10. I'm But A Wave To... [2004 remix] [The Expanded Edition bonus]
11. How Could I [2004 remix] [The Expanded Edition bonus]
12. Cosmos [Portal] [The Expanded Edition bonus]
13. The Circle's Gone [Portal] [The Expanded Edition bonus]
14. Endless Endeavors [Portal] [The Expanded Edition bonus]
This album really impressed me in the minute I pushed play on my Stereo; Cynic the King without Crown, Cynic is like H.P Lovecraft or Vincent van Gogh, artists that public worshiped only after they died. Cynic released only one Full Length and a lot of Demos, nowadays people is hungry to get their material, fortunately I got Focus, so let's talk about this awesome album.
The album starts with "Veil Of Maya" one of the best openers in Metal history, a song with a lot of musical textures and progressions, this track show us Cynic's great potential, the drums are incredible (irregular and complex beats), the guitar riffs and solos are very technical, the bass-lines are also beautiful, and the vocals remind me a little of Chuck (Death) but with more power and more aggressive. The entire album is filled with a lot of Jazz elements, this is very remarkable indeed, this gives the album a lot of structures that go along with the amazing musical arrangements, and by the way don't expect Jazz elements ala Pestilence, in this album those jazzy Arrangements are not wrapped in weird power chords and all that stuff, this time we all can actually appreciate the Jazz fusion.
Every song is unbelievable, powerful riffs always place the mood for the song, but every once in a while the music slows down and set an incredible mellow atmosphere, but after this once more aggressive music enters, so the progression is all along the album with great measures and breathtaking structures (this is another great thing, the Progression is perfect). The vocals in this album are very good indeed, we can hear high-pitched growls, and then some weird robotic vocal effects (remember, this do not qualify as industrial metal) Note: check the seventh track "Textures" this song is purely instrumental, this song is one of the best demonstrations of Cynic's talent, after hearing this one nothing else matters, I am not kidding
So if you haven't heard Cynic you really must search for this album, one of the best releases in Death Metal, I don't know why this incredible musicians are so underrated, I know the production is not very good at all, and also the artwork is very naive, but the music is what matters I swear, nobody ever talks about this fantastic band, but well now I am telling you that "Focus" is overwhelming so it's up to you if you get it or not. So if you are looking for awesome Progressive Death Metal this should be your first option no doubt.
Comments
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Comments: 52
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| Markku Account deleted |
Markku
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Totally agreed. This album is a bloody Masterpiece For everyone who respects originality and great musicianship 
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| Xtreme Jax Psycroptipath Posts: 2322 From: Australia  |
I was just looking at this album in the RR Catalogue 05/06. Heres what it reads: "Another highly revered release from the Roadrunner vaults, the one and only album from Cynic. Seamlessly blending DeathMetal, Jazz, Fussion, Thrash, Electronica aswell as some other musical oddities into a cohessive and streamlined form, 'Focus' is, dare i say, a masterpiece of technical magnificence." And now with a rating of 9.7 in this reveiw for 'Focus', i shall add to my wish list 
---- Hellcunt Smurf
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| __Az__ Posts: 859 From: UK  |
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| Dangerboner Lactation Cnslt Posts: 7261 From: USA  |
I think I'm the only tech death fan that didn't really care for this cd. The recording and vocals are so bad it takes away from the musicianship. Edit - I actually hate tech death now...
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| Dangerboner Lactation Cnslt Posts: 7261 From: USA |
I thought the bass guitar sounded really sludgy.
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| Valar IndianSteel Posts: 828 From: USA  |
This review is pathetic this album deserves a 10  Where did the 0.3 go  This album is "FLAWLESS"
---- "It's a dangerous business, going out of your door, You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." - J.R.R. Tolkien, "Three Is Company," The Lord of the Rings
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| Jason W. Razorbliss Posts: 3523 From: USA  |
I agree 100% with pyroleprechaun. The vocals are so terrible that they absolutely destroy each song. One of the worst choices for vocal effects on a metal record I've ever come across. 
---- "After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley
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| Tron Posts: 102 From: Finland |
This must be the most psychedelic album I've heard....just listen to "Uroboric Forms" at 1.23 and you'll see what I mean. The peak of originality in ALL OF METAL! Hail Cynic! 
---- After each game, the king and the jester go in the same box.
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| Spyroid Rosetta Stoned Posts: 1023 From: Sweden  |
I've only heard the instrumental song, so I wont say anything about the lyrics. But I love the production, it's prefect for prog.death. I'll try to get the whole album!
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| Paganblood The Aryaputra Posts: 1194 From: Nepal  |
Only one album by cynic?
---- that which shines without names and forms...
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands  |
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Paganblood The Aryaputra Posts: 1194 From: Nepal |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 31.01.2007 at 16:32 I wonder why such bands (even Possessed) end up with so less albums 
---- that which shines without names and forms...
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| Baz Anderson Posts: 13237 From: UK  |
I had a listen to this seeing as it has such a high rating, etc. I think it going under 'death metal' is a bit misleading though.. pretty much the only thing death metal on the album are the human vocals it reminds me of Ark.. maybe its the fretless bass.. it was quite enjoyable though, no doubt it will grow on me the more I listen to it
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| Hembrom Diabolic Priest Posts: 1388 From: India  |
Written by Paganblood on 31.01.2007 at 16:39 Its ok , its all good .... i love these kidn of band. Its good to worship them , Morbid Saint and Demilich are few other bands with single GOD DAMN album.
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| Introspekrieg Totemic Lust Posts: 2747 From: USA  |
There are no words... to describe this album. Even the lengthy description on the deluxe edition packaging couldn't prepare me for what I was about to hear. Some of the most innovative music I have ever heard. Anyone know anything about Portal touring this year?
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by Introspekrieg on 01.07.2007 at 19:35 Portal and touring? Now that would be weird since they ahve spilt up quite some time ago and only released one demo. Better check Cynic if they come by near you.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Introspekrieg Totemic Lust Posts: 2747 From: USA |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 01.07.2007 at 19:42 Oh ok, I read somewhere that they were an incarnation of Cynic. Didn't know that they were back together. Don't see any tour schedule, hope the come near Phila. How is the Portal demo?
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by Introspekrieg on 01.07.2007 at 20:01 I don't know since I never heard that demo, but it is true that Portal was formed out of Cynic. Bu they soon after split up. Cynic toured europe this summer, saw them at Hellfest and ast week thrusday in Tilburg in fornt of a sold out 350 people club. And they kicked ass.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Stalker Lone wanderer Posts: 2705 From: Serbia  |
Wow. Damn, I though Masvidal is a good guitarist, but I didnt know hes THAT good. And even better as a composer IMO. I really love the Jazz influence in their music... Damn, this is well done album, it deserves rating you gave it.
---- 
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| Visioneerie Urban Monster Posts: 810 From: Canada  |
How is the production bad on this album, i didn't find any major flaws in it 
---- Any man can stand adversity, but to test his character give him power - A. Lincoln
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| Bitter Peace Posts: 265 From: USA  |
Awesome review. What I like most about this album is the mix of jazz fusion into their music. Other bands often switch back and forth between metal and jazz fusion, or the riffs are purely metal with jazz drumming, but Cynic is different. The two genres are interwoven so perfectly. One of my favorite parts of this album is the vocoder robotic sounding vocals, they give it a real sense of atmosphere. I really hope they do that again on their upcoming album. The Portal demo is also worth checking out, it's different.. nonmetal, but really good as well. I also agree with the reviewer, "Textures" has some damn good.. well.. textures in it. My favorite part is the bass part at 2:26, it is one of my favorite bass lines ever.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by Bitter Peace on 13.08.2008 at 23:12 Seeing you're also a fan of Cynic check out this interview http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/interview.php?interview_id=425 with Paul Masvidal. It was conducted four days after the Atheist interview.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Raziel X Posts: 117 From: Slovak Republic  |
Ppl, they have now a new album, which is apparently as amazing as Focus
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| Introspekrieg Totemic Lust Posts: 2747 From: USA |
Written by Raziel X on 06.11.2008 at 20:44 No way... it is nowhere close. Paul doesn't seem to have that bad of a voice, I don't understand why they went overboard with the vocoder this time around. Listen to "Uroboric Forms" and then compare it to the new album, you'll see.
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| Raziel X Posts: 117 From: Slovak Republic |
Written by Introspekrieg on 06.11.2008 at 20:51 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
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