Cynic
Kindly Bent to Free Us

This is not just about music!

This is about art, language, and the continuity of it, and how matter changes over time beyond genres and classifications.

Talking about Cynic is not easy, and I myself have misunderstood their work in the past, only to revisit my judgments years later.

I had been eagerly awaiting this release and am pleased to say that today, Cynic represents a solid and monumental reality, once again capable of offering us a masterpiece.

A masterpiece that, as such, requires time to be appreciated, understood, and framed, to communicate that it is no longer Techno/Death that sets the standard, but rather prog, the most ontological kind.

Cynic today is an ontological reality, almost tautological, because they no longer refer to a genre but refer solely to themselves, thanks to a Masvidal who, in my humble opinion, pursues a spiritual, ascetic, cosmic quest, entirely transposed into music, aided by a fantastic Reinert and an equally remarkable Malone.

This album makes me realize that music is also made with the spirit; well, they may not be the first to do so, but they have done it superbly, transcendently, without neglecting technical expertise.

"Kindly Bent to Free Us" is the third chapter of a story about matter and psyche, but above all about reality, wanting to communicate that nothing or everything can remain unchanged but can still be itself, maintaining the traits of a defined and overwhelming personality, always elegantly affirming its existence.

There is no point in dwelling on each individual track; the metronomic aspect has slowed down in favor of a sensational and predominant atmospheric component, all supported by exquisite technique.

A perfect recording pays homage to each instrument, casting a complete void into the shadows.

Spectacular!