Artist: Cynic
Title: Carbon-Based Anatomy
Genre: Progressive
Release Date: 11th November 2011
Label: Season of Mist
Album Review
‘Carbon-Based Anatomy’ is the third release of the progressive rock band CYNIC, after the reunion of the band back in 2006. The previous LP ‘Traced in Air’ and EP ‘Re-Traced’ were accompanied by show at Wacken Open Air, European tour as support for OPETH and US tour with MESHUGGAH as well as supporting DEVIN TOWNSEND. 2010, after their headlining US tour, bassist Robin Zielhorst and guitarist Tymon Kruidenier left the band. As the result CYNIC remains as a duo. But it didn’t stop the musicians and the same year they announced the release of their next work in late 2011. In November 2011, the band releases their brand new EP ‘Carbon-Based Anatomy’. Sean Malone, who has been working on the both albums, played the bass. The artwork was made by Robert Venosa, also responsible for other band’s album designs. It was one of the last works of him, before he passed away in August last year. As for concept, the mastermind Paul Masvidal described it as a philosophical and musical journey, which begins in the Amazon jungle and ends in outer Space.
The EP is opened by a charming track ‘Amidst The Coals’ featured by Amy Correia. Correia’s shamanic vocals create the magical atmosphere of that jungle, through which we should go straight to Space. The struggle with tight South American forest continues with the title-song ‘Carbon-Based Anatomy’. The impression of this track could be compared to the feeling, when you run away from something in your dream. The melody is warm and viscous, it pulls you back and down. Then you wake up, you’re still in the forest but near the fire with some Indians around you, singing their songs. It’s the third track, called ‘Bija!’ With time their lulling song mixes up with powerful guitars and clearer and younger vocals of Masvidal in the track ‘Box Up My Bones’. Finally with ‘Elves Beam Out’ our Space journey starts. Atmospheric spacey synths, even lighter vocals and first unobtrusive and then more and more powerful guitar solo preparing for the long awaited and incredible flight to stars. The final destination is the track ‘Hieroglyph’. Amy Correia greets us again with her mild dreamy voice. After this comes the silence. You can fill it with your thoughts and emotions, because you will surely have lots of.
On the ‘Carbon-Based Anatomy’ EP it is still possible to recognize the old CYNIC’s works, but they keep moving forward and opening new horizons. They left their death-metal past as far as they could, replacing strong drums, loud guitars and growl with atmospheric dreamy melodies. Will see, what they prepared for their full length album, and for now let’s enjoy the magical travel with ‘Carbon-Based Anatomy’.
Tracklist
01. Amidst The Coals
02. Carbon-Based Anatomy
03. Bija!
04. Box Up My Bones
05. Elves Beam Out
06. Hieroglyph
Line-up
Paul Masvidal – Vocals, guitars
Sean Reinert – Drums, percussion
Website
www.cyniconline.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10
Buy the CD here!
