CYNIC — Carbon-Based Anatomy (review)

CYNIC — Carbon-Based Anatomy album cover

EP · 2011 · Metal Related

4/5 · 2012-01-26
UMUR

"Carbon-Based Anatomy" is an EP release by US progressive rock/metal act Cynic. The EP was released through Season of Mist in November 2011. Cynic is down to a trio on this release as Tymon Kruidenier (Guitars/vocals) has left the band again after a relatively short membership. The remaining members are Sean Reinert (Drums, Keyboards), Paul Masvidal (Vocals, Guitars, Lyrics) and Sean Malone (Bass). Since the release of the band´s long awaited comeback album "Traced in Air (2008)", Cynic have released the "Re-Traced (2010" EP, which mostly featured re-arranged tracks from "Traced in Air" (and one new track), but "Carbon-Based Anatomy" is the band´s first release with all new material since 2008.

The EP features six tracks. Three tracks are "regular" songs with vocals/lyrics, while the three remaining and relatively shorter tracks are more ambient in style. All tracks seque into each other to form a 23:01 minute long concept.

The music on the EP is pretty far removed from the technical/progressive metal of the band´s first two albums. Not that those two releases don´t sound very different from each other too, but "Carbon-Based Anatomy" features very little than can be labelled metal. Instead Cynic have created an atmospheric form of progressive post-rock that will probably take some time to sink in for those who crave technical playing and fusion drumming. The EP features a beautiful, melancholic and tranquil atmosphere. The music is subtle (but still occasionally more powerful) and the vocals by Paul Masvidal are soft and mellow. There is a rare fervor about his delivery that´s greatly enjoyable. It´s a joy to follow his development as a vocalist and on this release he adds new elements to his sound. There are quite a few harmony and choir vocals on the EP, which is not something I remember having heard before to this extent.

Initially I was a bit disappointed about "Carbon-Based Anatomy" because of the lack of metal elements, but upon repeated listens the strong vocal lines, hypnotic drumming and intriguing songwriting have ended up having a captivating effect on me and I find myself returning to the EP often for a fix of the unique atmosphere and delicate delivery. This is new terrority for Cynic and while the full EP is an enjoyable listening experience, I don´t think the rest of the tracks quite reach the incredibly high standard of the title track and when I know that they can reach that high a quality, I´m spoiled enough to demand that the full EP is on the same level. We would have been talking about a 5 star masterpiece had that been the case. As it is I´d say a 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is fully deserved. I might even upgrade my rating to a full 4.5 star (90%) rating in time.

more than 2 years ago
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UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh so it´s not new Cynic material then! I remember I´ve heard of their Portal project. Hopefully it´ll be interesting.

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

They're releasing a compilation with stuff from the post-Cynic era when they formed a band called Portal.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yeah I just heard news that it will be out in March and saw the cover artwork :-)

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I loved the lack of metal! And agreed, my only real beef is its so short, its 5 star material but just not enough! I hope the upcoming album is the same style, and of course as well done, if so it will be an absolute masterpiece