Cynic

Kindly Bent to Free Us

No death metal element here, so if you need that element to enjoy Cynic, skip this album.
This is probably their most ''basic'' album, or at least, the less special of the four.
It has the lack of surprise element like the second one, and it's even less heavy overall.
The album is probably very easy to enjoy for prog metal fans, but it just doesn't add anything to the Cynic formula, it even has less.
Less heavy, less jazzy, but overall better sounding with better mixing.

What Cynic attempted to do with this record is equivalent to what Opeth did when releasing the likes of Heritage and Sorceress; lean away from the heaviness of prior albums, omitting the death growls entirely, brightening the melodies and guitar parts, and concentrating on making a more conventional prog rock affair. The results?

Well, they're still technically minded, have a damn strong rhythm section, remain unique with the vocal effects, and can craft some solid tunes, but I'd be lying if I ... read more