It's Official: CYNIC To Reunite For European Festival Appearances, Possible U.S. Dates

Long-defunct Florida-based band CYNIC, whose 1993 album "Focus" is regarded as a landmark release in the field of technical/progressive metal, has confirmed plans to embark a reunion tour in the spring/summer of 2007, beginning with possible U.S. warm-up performances and culminating in a number of festival appearances across Europe (as BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on Sept. 6).

CYNIC reunion lineup:

Paul Masvidal - Vocals / Guitar
Sean Reinert - Drums / Keys
Tony Teegarden - Vocals / Keyboards
Chris Kringel - Bass
Santiago Dobles – Guitar

Kringel, who replaces Sean Malone (who can't participate in the reunion because of teaching and work commitments) in CYNIC's reunion lineup, has been involved with the band since the pre-"Focus" days and toured with the band in Europe in support of the CD. He also played bass on the classic and much-sought-after PORTAL demos and toured the U.K. with Paul and Sean's AEON SPOKE project. Teegarden also previously toured with CYNIC in support of "Focus", while Santiago — who is said to be "the man behind AGHORA" — has been around the CYNIC camp since 1993-94 and was one of Masvidal's guitar students in Miami back in the day.

According to Masvidal, guitarist Jason Gobel was approached about participating in the reunion, but was forced to turn it down due to family and work commitments. However, he gave the rest of the group his blessings to proceed and is said to be "honored" to have Santiago as his replacement.

Prior to releasing "Focus" through Roadrunner Records, Paul and Sean played on the groundbreaking DEATH album "Human" alongside the band's mastermind Chuck Schuldiner and Steve DiGiorgio of SADUS. Masvidal and Reinert described their relationship with Chuck as "very laid back", and were able to help Schuldiner with the writing by giving him input, which had been missing on the earlier DEATH records. The result was a classic record, and DEATH even got some MTV airplay. At the same time, then-bassist Tony Choy was filling in for the late Roger Patterson on ATHEIST's "Unquestionable Presence", and guesting on PESTILENCE's "Testimony of the Ancients". Meanwhile, Paul did some work on MASTER's "On the Eighth Day, God Created Master", and guitarist Jason Gobel worked with MONSTROSITY, playing lead on their "Imperial Doom" album. All of this guest work helped to enlarge the fan base for CYNIC, making them — according to a Roadrunner Records press release issued prior to the release of "Focus" — "the most popular underground act to never record an album." More recently, Masvidal and Reinert — both of whom are currently based in Los Angeles — have been keeping busy with AEON SPOKE (web site),a progressive ethereal-rock project whose self-titled album is due in March 2007 through SPV Records.

For more information on the CYNIC reunion, visit the official web site at www.cynicalsphere.com. Booking, press and questions should be addressed to: [email protected].