FOCUS

Finally, a breath of fresh air from the metal scene of the '90s! The album kicks off on a right note with Veil Of Maya which shows everything that Cynic has to offer in a true tour de force fashion. Fortunately this greatness doesn't really stop until the final note of How Could I? is played.

Cynic offers us a very mature sounding debut album that shows that the band has been at it for much more than what the release date might indicate. There are a few minor compositions, like Celestial Voyage and The Eagle Nature, that might at first seem excellent but after they're settled in they loose some of their former glance. Still there are enough magnificent moments that compensate for these lesser moments making the album a must have for all the fans of the genre. My personal favorite composition is Sentiment which has a nice groove to it and therefore pushes the music is even further outside the standard limits of the genre.

Cynic's debut basically delivers everything I enjoy about the Tech Metal so if you're interested in exploring this very versatile genre then I recommend that you start with Focus since it will be a real make it or break experience. The only possible flaws are the dated effects that were used to enhance the vocals, but I consider them quite charming, a sort of the T-Pain effect of the '90s!

***** star songs: Veil Of Maya (5:23) Sentiment (4:23) How Could I (5:29)

**** star songs: Celestial Voyage (3:40) I'm But A Wave To... (5:30) Uroboric Forms (3:32) Textures (4:42)

*** star songs: The Eagle Nature (3:30)

Total rating: 4,20