Cynic
Demo 1990

Rediscovering Cynic. Before their breakup in 1994, the band was extremely active, having released between 1988 and 1993 a total of 4 demos and one album. And it is precisely those demos that we will be discussing today, with the spotlight on the one released in 1990.

The work contains 3 tracks. The evolution compared to the two previous demos (dated 1988 and 1989) begins to be felt, the sound is more aggressive, and Masvidal's singing increasingly leans towards the typical Death style as it is still a "primordial" growl but equally raw and rasping. Reinert’s work on drums is always optimal in every type of rhythm, and on guitars, Jason Gobel and Masvidal themselves engage in a highly substantial intertwined riffing besides delivering, as always, solos of great skill and musicianship. With this demo, there is a change in bassists, as Mark Van Erp leaves the group making room for the immense Tony Choy. His bass sometimes embarks on pounding tempos, at other times on pleasant jazz-flavored breaks; every vibration of his instrument’s strings is pure pleasure for the ears. He truly plays with a unique class; only Sean Malone could have been a worthy substitute.

All parts are extremely valid; the demo comprises 3 actual lightning bolts, each lasting just over 4 minutes. Fast, powerful tracks, but never predictable, truly of excellent level. A short demo that flies away in less than 15 minutes, yet a significant point for the artistic turning point of the band as the sound begins to separate from the early Thrash origins, aligning with those Death Metal tones that would lead the band to create their masterpiece.

I apologize if every review I write about this band may seem repetitive, but in the face of the fantastic talent of such a band, I would not know what else to say but to lose myself in endless praises. The overall score is 4 for the same reason explained in the review of the previous year's demo.