HUMAN

The highly-acclaimed project of Chuck Schuldiner shows signs of metamorphic breakout as Cynic members Paul Masvidal (guitar) and Sean Reinert (drums) and new bassist, Sean Reinart inject a whole new speed and technical skill into Chuck's ideas. The Flaw for me here is not in the music but in the singing: Chuck's delivery is very much one dimensional in every way possible--even pitch. Therefore, I will warn the reader that my song-by-song ratings are based more on the instrumental contributions though I cannot help but downgrade for the presence of the grating drone thread of Chuck's voice in every song.

1. "Flattening of Emotions" (4:28) impressive sound, technical skill, and timing. Great albeit brief lead guitar touches. But that vocal! (8.5/10)

2. "Suicide Machine" (4:19) flat. (8/10)

3. "Together as One" (4:06) a little variation in the screaming. (8.5/10)

4. "Secret Face" (4:36) less vocal presence = more instrumental shine. (8.75/10)

5. "Lack of Comprehension" (3:39) What! Sensitivity and delicacy--and flanged drums and effected guitar! Short-lived but interesting. (8.25/10)

6. "See Through Dreams" (4:26) I find the time shifts on this one, as well its bridges and extended guitar solos, to be more in the vein of music that I like--despite the fact that the time shifts often feel a bit random and inexplicable (i.e. unnecessary). I like hearing the bass this prominently. (9/10)

7. "Cosmic Sea" (4:23) An instrumental! paced a little more humanely over its first half, with more standard metal arrangement and sonicsphere, this one definitely feels more like what I'd call "progressive rock music" or "prog." guest bassist Skott Carino's work is also quite prominent and interesting. The second half's STEVE VAI-like guitar work is also different and quite impressive. This, to me, is a great prog metal song, one filled with more broad strokes and effects than most of the other songs. (10/10)

8. "Vacant Planets" (3:48) the sound is now well established, as are the vocal stylings, here we get to hear some more extended lead guitar solos. As impressive is the drummer's low end stamina, the snare work here does not always fit very well with the guitars and bass. (8.5/10)

Total Time 33:45

I am most impressed with the skill of these musicians--especially with drumer Sean Reinert and the way guitarist Paul Masvidal can sneak in some incredibly effective and memorable lead flourishes into such small spaces.

B/four stars; a solid submission to Prog World that will probably be an exciting addition to any Prog Metal lover's music collection.