[Album Review] Cynic - Traced In Air (2008)

Current members:
Paul Masvidal - guitar/vocals (1987-1994, 2006-present) (ex-Death, Gordian Knot, ex-Portal, Master, Æon Spoke)
Sean Reinert - drums (1987-1994, 2006-present) (Aghora, ex-Death, Gordian Knot, ex-Portal, Æon Spoke)
Sean Malone - bass, Chapman Stick (1993-1994, 2008-present) (ex-Aghora, Gordian Knot, Office of Strategic Influence)
Tymon Kruidenier - guitar, death growls (2008-present) (Exivious)

Track Listing:
01 - Nunc Fluens 2:55
02 - The Space For This 5:46
03 - Evolutionary Sleeper 3:34
04 - Integral Birth 3:52
05 - The Unknown Guest 4:12
06 - Adam's Murmur 3:28
07 - King Of Those Who Know 6:08
08 - Nunc Stans 4:12

Favourite songs : "The Space For This", "The Unknown Guest" and "King Of Those Who Know".

Now, this is my favorite album of the year 2008, a highly anticipated work of art from the highly talented group known as Cynic. It is a diverse album that bears many meanings and I find that Cynic has a very unique sound. The definite word I would describe the sound as is; celestial. They mainly use clean vocals and robotic vocals with vocoder shifting in their music but also death metal like growls from the back-up vocalist to spice up some words or parts of the lyrics. They play kind of fusion jazz / proggressive metal mix on this album and it's a very interesting combination that won't leave you cold.

The songwriting is excellent and the short length of the album doesn't take anything out of the experience for me. I always get chills running down my spine from listening to this album and I've listened to it dozens of times and it feels like it will never get old.

The album seems to have a very deep meaning that slowly unfolds over the time. There are many strong themes like; religions, purity and love. The message as I find it is culminated in the outro song of the album, Nunc Stans, I think it means eternity. The message is basically that we are all unique and capable of loving one another, yet something greater, be it "God", "Universe" or anything - gave us our being. It is basically a take on the question: "What is the meaning of life?" and a strong one at that.

It incorporates various religious or otherworldly themes in the lyrics, like; sanskrit mantras, sanskrit alphabet, doves, unholy apple tree, the list goes on. Even the song names have deep meanings and "Adam's Murmur" is one thing that can be put on the previous list. The songs are not just takes on christianity but anything "alien", be it different religions, cultures or other things compared to our own, a take on anything unknown. It's definitely a trip full of marvels and questions, a mysterious journey through unknown seas.

I'll give this album an outstanding rating of 10/10