CYNIC Reveals New Album Details, Shares First Single -

Thursday, April 18, 2024

CYNIC Reveals New Album Details, Shares First Single

Progressive rock legend CYNIC will be releasing its highly-anticipated new full-length, ‘Ascension Codes,’ on November 26 via Season of Mist! Cynic’s Ascension Codes is a remarkably far-reaching work, and if nothing else, a clear indication that they have landed in a place of mastery. The album, paradoxically, acts as both swan song and rebirth. The band is now sharing the mind-bending first single, “Mythical Serpents,” which can be seen below…

Track six, “Mythical Serpents,” is imbued with propellant adventure, exciting peaks and valleys that tug at the heart while its mathematical sequences challenge the head in a dizzying push/pull dynamic. It’s that quintessential Cynic approach of kaleidoscopic intensity and mannered discipline. Ascension Codes was mixed and co-produced by Warren Riker, who worked with Aeon Spoke, Cynic in the Traced in Air era and mixed Paul Masvidal’s solo acoustic trilogy.

CYNIC mastermind Paul Masivdal comments: “I invite you to sit back, close your eyes, and listen to ‘Mythical Serpents’ as a fully realized piece of music. No phones or screens necessary, just the power of sound communicating directly into the ears of your heart. In the coming weeks, Cynic will be revealing further details on the constellation that is ‘Ascension Codes’, including a ‘Mythical Serpents’ animated video, featuring the artwork of Martina Hoffmann & Robert Venosa. Stay tuned.”

Michael Berberian, president and founder of Season of Mist, adds: “I have, by now, released close to one thousand albums. None have been more dramatic, none have even been more difficult than this one. I can’t listen to Ascension Codes without goosebumps, a mixed feeling of pride – because it’s a musical milestone, but it also contains a lingering layer of sadness. I hear Paul’s pain on this record. I can feel it, I can touch it. But it’s transcended. ‘Art is to console those who are broken by life,’ said Van Gogh. Here is a demonstration of that.”

ICYMI: Masvidal recently shared a touching tribute to late bassist Sean Malone, who died on December 7, 2020. To commemorate Malone’s legacy, CYNIC has released a never-before-heard recorded performance of the song “Integral,” in which Malone performs fretless bass. “Integral” was originally released as a solo guitar and vocal track on Cynic’s ‘Re-Traced’ EP.

As an act of support, CYNIC is inviting fans to donate as you wish for the “Integral” song download, which comes with a guitar/bass transcription of the song and an instrumental (no bass mix) to play along with. 50 percent of proceeds will be shared with suicide prevention organizations: To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and The Trevor Project. The remaining will go towards funding a documentary about the lives and artistry of Sean Malone and Sean Reinert.

Pre-orders for ‘Ascension Codes’ are now live at the Season of Mist E-Shop, the CYNIC Bandcamp, and official CYNIC shop.

Tracklist:
01. Mu-54*
02. The Winged Ones
03. A’-va432
04. Elements and their Inhabitants
05. Ha-144
06. Mythical Serpents
07. Sha48*8. 6th Dimensional Archetype
09. DNA Activation Template
10. Shar-216
11. Architects of Consciousness
12. DA’z-a86.4
13. Aurora
14. DU-*61.714285…
15. In a Multiverse Where Atoms Sing
16. A’jha108
17. Diamond Light Body
18. Ec-ka72