What makes Traced in Air by Cynic notable?

The album received critical acclaim, showcasing Cynic's innovative approach to progressive metal and solidifying their status within the genre. It debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, reflecting a strong comeback for the band after a long hiatus. Traced in Air is Cynic's first album in 15 years, following their groundbreaking debut Focus from 1993. The band reformed in 2006 with a renewed vision, seeking to expand their sonic palette while maintaining their signature fusion of metal and jazz influences.

How many songs are on Traced in Air?

Traced in Air has 9 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Traced in Air

Cynic · 2008

38 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock

A complex blend of progressive metal and ethereal melodies that weave intricate soundscapes with philosophical undertones.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Space for This — This track exemplifies the album's philosophical themes, merging intricate instrumentation with thought-provoking lyrics about existence and consciousness.
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Evolutionary Sleeper — Its dynamic shifts between serene melodies and heavy riffs encapsulate Cynic's unique sound, illustrating the band's ability to blend complexity with accessibility.
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Integral Birth — The song features lush harmonies and a driving rhythm that reflect themes of rebirth and transformation, integral to the album's overarching narrative.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

Cynic's blend of progressive metal and ethereal melodies creates a distinctive sound that rewards repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken word piece that transitions into complex guitar riffs, establishing a dense atmosphere.
Several songs feature layered vocals that intertwine with instrumental sections, enhancing the ethereal quality of the sound.

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 Nunc fluens 2:56
2 The Space for This 5:46
3 Evolutionary Sleeper 3:35
4 Integral Birth 3:52
5 The Unknown Guest 4:13
6 Adam’s Murmur 3:29
7 King of Those Who Know 6:08
8 Nunc stans 4:34
9 Adam’s Murmur (demo) 3:28

What to play next

Listen next

The Portal Tapes

2012

Go back to

Focus

1993

Full Cynic discography Artists like Cynic

alternative rock progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata