Cynic

Emerging from the late-'80s progressive death metal underground, Cynic has distinguished itself by combining technically proficient death metal and experimental touches that sometimes border on jazz fusion. After touring in support of their acclaimed 1993 debut, Focus, Cynic disbanded, but their reputation continued to grow, and the group reunited in 2006, issuing their sophomore long-player, Traced in Air, two years later. The group continued to evolve through the remix EP Re-Traced (2010), the shape-shifting and immersive Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014), and the cosmic, spiritually themed Ascension Codes (2021). While the group's roots trace back to Florida, Cynic has been based in California since the mid-'90s, with founding vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Paul Masvidal leading the project from Los Angeles and San Francisco.