Cynic
Demo 1988

Much like photo album memories, the demos that bands record serve to imprint in the memory of both the musicians themselves and their listeners who they were at the start of their career. Some, like HIM for example, have in a way repudiated their roots, and there are those who have continued to persevere on their own path, evolving perhaps, but never distorting or renouncing their origins: this is the case of what perhaps was the most important technical death metal band of all time (alongside Atheist and in a different manner than Death), that is to say Cynic, authors in the distant 1993 of an immortal masterpiece of the genre, namely that "Focus" which was much discussed at the time.

But what was there before "Focus"? The answer lies in the 4 demos recorded by the group between 1988 and 1991, and here we will analyze just the first one. Let's start by saying right away that, despite the members being all very young (the "old man" Sean Reinert was only 17), the technique proves to be excellent, showing an enviable cleanliness in execution, but also a great depth in songwriting, composing 3 short but intense and extremely intricate songs; the opening is left to the techno thrash of "Once Misguided", a wild and violent track based on a particularly speed-oriented musical base. It is immediately noticeable how Jack Kelly, the former singer of the band, has a different vocal approach, closer to a thrash style rather than the death style that these young Americans would later adopt. "Weak Reasoning" and "Dwellers Of The Threshold" instead lean more towards the progressive death that would become Cynic's true hallmark: here we find very fast solos, odd times, continuous rhythmic changes, bass parts beginning to have a jazz-fusion feel, all surrounded by the singer's harsh and aggressive voice.

Now, with full awareness of being in front of a product that presents some small flaws and scattered naiveties, it is truly impossible not to say words of praise for the work of these five guys, not only because, as mentioned earlier, adolescents were at the instruments, but above all because despite being "marred" by some minor flaws, this is an already mature, well-made record, presenting interesting musical solutions, both in the perspective of today's music and in the perspective of the music of the time when famous bands like Metallica and company were seen as a benchmark. Therefore, promoted without the slightest doubt, although... well, the best was yet to come.

Enjoy listening.