What makes Focus by Cynic notable?

The album is recognized for its groundbreaking approach to progressive metal, influencing countless bands and earning critical acclaim over the years. It received notable reviews from major publications and has been cited as a significant work that helped define the sound of technical death metal in the early '90s. Released in January 1993, 'Focus' was Cynic's debut album, emerging during a transformative period in progressive metal. The band was at the forefront of blending technical prowess with avant-garde influences, setting a precedent for future acts in the genre.

How many songs are on Focus?

Focus has 8 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Focus

Cynic · 1993

36 min · 8 tracks · alternative rock

A complex blend of progressive metal and ethereal soundscapes, merging intricate musicianship with philosophical lyrical themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Veil of Maya — Opening with a captivating mix of heavy riffs and airy vocals, this track establishes the album's unique sonic identity while exploring themes of existence and consciousness.
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Celestial Voyage — This track stands out for its ethereal melodies paired with intricate guitar work, effectively showcasing Cynic's signature blend of heaviness and serene beauty.
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Uroboric Forms — Featuring complex time signatures and philosophical lyrics, this track exemplifies the band's technical prowess and deep thematic explorations, marking it as a highlight of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Cynic's 'Focus' merges technical musicianship with avant-garde elements, establishing a unique sound in progressive metal.

What we noticed

Vocals alternate between clean singing and harsh growls, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
Each track incorporates intricate guitar work with layered melodies, often blending atmospheric synths that enhance the ethereal quality.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Veil of Maya 5:23
2 Celestial Voyage 3:40
3 The Eagle Nature 3:30
4 Sentiment 4:23
5 I’m but a Wave To… 5:30
6 Uroboric Forms 3:32
7 Textures 4:42
8 How Could I 5:29

What to play next

Listen next

Traced in Air

2008

Full Cynic discography Artists like Cynic

alternative rock progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata