New Cynic EP in November 2011!!!!!

[ArrowHead]

Wow.

My synopsis of the album so far:

Cynic: Carbon-Based Anatomy EP | Tracks | Pitchfork

Observe that link. Note the # of plays for each song. Note how they just keep losing fans as each track progresses. 3000 plays, 2500 plays, 1700 plays, 1300 plays, 1100 plays. So if the attempt was a body of music to be listened to as a whole, they've missed their mark with many people. Only a third of the people that started that EP finished it.

It's a nice EP. Much better than Re-Traced. But still - while musically boundaries are expanding the instrumental boundaries have constricted. The drumming and guitar playing are not what I expected from a Cynic album. The songs are great, however.

Sadly, there is no trace of aggression on this album. Not only are the harsh vocals gone, but the muted chord progression backing the chorus of Elves Beam Out is perhaps the heaviest thing on this record.

[fps]

Originally Posted by ArrowHead

Wow.

My synopsis of the album so far:

Cynic: Carbon-Based Anatomy EP | Tracks | Pitchfork

Observe that link. Note the # of plays for each song. Note how they just keep losing fans as each track progresses. 3000 plays, 2500 plays, 1700 plays, 1300 plays, 1100 plays. So if the attempt was a body of music to be listened to as a whole, they've missed their mark with many people. Only a third of the people that started that EP finished it.

It's a nice EP. Much better than Re-Traced. But still - while musically boundaries are expanding the instrumental boundaries have constricted. The drumming and guitar playing are not what I expected from a Cynic album. The songs are great, however.

Sadly, there is no trace of aggression on this album. Not only are the harsh vocals gone, but the muted chord progression backing the chorus of Elves Beam Out is perhaps the heaviest thing on this record.

People on the internet are utterly fickle, very rare they're going to listen to a whole album online, plus they may want to sample then buy later and not spoil it by listening to every track. Or even not know who the band are and just want to listen to a track.

[ArrowHead]

I don't know about other people. I know some are likely similar to me - waiting for pre-orders to arrive. I've streamed the album beginning to end about 30 times or so in the last 2 days. So of those 1000 people that even listened to the last track, 30-40 of them were myself, streaming it in it's entirety.

It's a great EP, too, but it goes by QUICK. And like I said, it's lacking the aggressive element and musical technicality many fans might have been hoping for.

Although the people saying it sounds like Aeon Spoke are overstating the matter. It's most definitely somewhere in-between. Call it flushed out Aeon Spoke songs, or call it mellowed out Cynic songs. It's straddling that middle line. It's nice, in it's own way. They've just dropped the whole "metal" aspect of Cynic completely with these last two EPs.

Whether it's complex death metal music, or even simple aggression like Ani Difranco ranting about her tampon with an acoustic guitar, I like it when the music has a driving aggressive element. It doesn't necessarily have to be "metal". That is not evident on this EP. It does not seem to be an important part of their sound anymore.

[fps]

Originally Posted by ArrowHead

I don't know about other people. I know some are likely similar to me - waiting for pre-orders to arrive. I've streamed the album beginning to end about 30 times or so in the last 2 days. So of those 1000 people that even listened to the last track, 30-40 of them were myself, streaming it in it's entirety.

It's a great EP, too, but it goes by QUICK. And like I said, it's lacking the aggressive element and musical technicality many fans might have been hoping for.

Although the people saying it sounds like Aeon Spoke are overstating the matter. It's most definitely somewhere in-between. Call it flushed out Aeon Spoke songs, or call it mellowed out Cynic songs. It's straddling that middle line. It's nice, in it's own way. They've just dropped the whole "metal" aspect of Cynic completely with these last two EPs.

Whether it's complex death metal music, or even simple aggression like Ani Difranco ranting about her tampon with an acoustic guitar, I like it when the music has a driving aggressive element. It doesn't necessarily have to be "metal". That is not evident on this EP. It does not seem to be an important part of their sound anymore.

Is it less metal than Traced In Air then? I mean, I loved, LOVED that album, it was so light, but softer than that and I don't think I'll bother.

[anomynous]

This is way softer than Traced in Air, traced in air is death metal compared to this

[ArrowHead]

It's like 3 "wheels within wheels" songs, interspersed with world music.

You can actually stream the entire album at that link. It's worthwhile, I'm still glad to pick it up. It's not another re-traced, but it's not another Traced in Air either. I actually thing Elves Beam Out is the most "metal" song on there, but most would disagree with me. There's an underlying driving pulse that sticks out. There's also the closest thing to the original vocoder vocals.

[PTP]

It sounds more like Portal than Aeon Spoke to me.

[DLG]

^just as bad imo

[bandinaboy]

Sober, the album is good at best. However "on the other side" the album is controlling and mind altering good.

[Ralyks]

Originally Posted by bandinaboy

Sober, the album is good at best. However "on the other side" the album is controlling and mind altering good.

Yeah, thats the best way the put it
Really dig the EP, but I do miss the technical riffage. I just hope the next FULL LENGTH (hoping, 20 minutes is not enough) recalls a bit of vintage Cynic. Nothing wrong with new direction, just don't forget your roots man

[ArrowHead]

Has anybody that preordered from Season of Mist received their CD yet? I got an email over a week ago that it would ship "soon" and that I'd get an email when it ships. I haven't heard from them since.

[Mwoit]

Yup, I got mine on Tuesday. Good EP, although I feel like future releases will be in similar vein to this. Cool, but not why I love Cynic in the first place.

Nonetheless, I'll still be watching them!

[7 Strings of Hate]

I LOVED this ep. Its ....ing great. Now that being said, the 3 real songs on it sound like traced in air to me but a little lighter. Not like aeon spoke at all to me.
I hope they do pick up the agression when they put out a whole album, but these songs are great.

[wannabguitarist]

I ....ing love this EP. Granted I've enjoyed pretty much everything Cynic related

Originally Posted by bandinaboy

However "on the other side" the album is controlling and mind altering good.

This is so true

[vampiregenocide]

It's a brilliant EP. The production is solid, and while the heavy vocals are gone I didn't miss them so much because the vocal melodies in this are so good. The short instrumentals are cool too, especially the opening track. They really build up a great atmosphere and lead into the other tracks well.

However, I paid an album price for what is essentially three full tracks, so it felt somewhat lacking. I mean it was worth it because it's a great EP, but it would have been cool to have some more complete songs. They need to hurry up and release a full-length.

[Doug N]

So, I'm new to Cynic - just bought the EP and it's interesting but not blowing me away. If I'm going to dig into their catalogue, what should I buy next?

[anomynous]

Traced in Air and Focus........aka their only other two albums. Re-traced is just ambient version of TIA

[Into Obsidian]

Originally Posted by Doug N

So, I'm new to Cynic - just bought the EP and it's interesting but not blowing me away. If I'm going to dig into their catalogue, what should I buy next?

FOCUS

[adrock]

so i've never really listened to Cynic before (i know, i know), so take this opinion with a grain of salt. but, this new EP is ....ing amazing. i'm really into it. time to go back, and see how it compares to their older material...

[ArrowHead]

Originally Posted by Mwoit

Yup, I got mine on Tuesday.

I wonder what's holding up the US orders? Not only am I still waiting, but every US retailer I check is out of stock. Something is snafu'd.

This will be the last time I preorder, seems to completely defeat the purpose.

[Into Obsidian]

Originally Posted by ArrowHead

I wonder what's holding up the US orders? Not only am I still waiting, but every US retailer I check is out of stock. Something is snafu'd.

This will be the last time I preorder, seems to completely defeat the purpose.

Ive personally always had bad luck with pre-orders

[ArrowHead]

Just got a reply from the email I sent SOM last week about my pre-order. It seems like English isn't the first language there, so I might not be understanding it right, but what I got from it is that the US branch/distributor is waiting for their inventory to clear through customs.

Bummer, but at least I've got the streaming copy to listen to for now.

A question for any one who received theirs yet that ordered the VINYL and the CD - did you notice any difference in the mix between the two copies? Is the vinyl worth listening to, or should I just hang it on the wall as I planned? If it's a good LP mix with lots of tasty dynamics, I might go get ye olde phonograph out of storage.

[ArrowHead]

Originally Posted by Into Obsidian

Ive personally always had bad luck with pre-orders

This was my first time pre-ordering music. I've had bad luck with video game pre-orders, but figured things might be different here. I was wrong.

Whatever, it's not a biggie. I've got the stream to listen to. But I'm dying to dig into the digi-pak and see the artwork, as well as get a look at the blue vinyl I ordered.

Seems like the tour/release/distribution timing here was really off. Is there going to be another tour after the CD has been out for a bit? I'd like to see them once I know the material a lot better.

[ArrowHead]

Okay, it's December. Still haven't received my pre-order. Got the email from the label saying it was stuck at customs. Meanwhile, the records store at my local mall HAS the album. I guess customs only hates people that already paid.

This will be my last venture with SOM, and likely my last Cynic purchase if they remain on the label.

[Mwoit]

Originally Posted by ArrowHead

Okay, it's December. Still haven't received my pre-order. Got the email from the label saying it was stuck at customs. Meanwhile, the records store at my local mall HAS the album. I guess customs only hates people that already paid.

This will be my last venture with SOM, and likely my last Cynic purchase if they remain on the label.

Shame man, I've had good service with them (ordered DEP - Option Paralysis previously and it came in good time and nick) before!