Album Rating: 2.5

i like how a lot of pre-00's metal didn't just sound like an algorithm from a midi keyboard too (it's gotten better but still)

Focus has that Scott Burns production, it's very of its time but I think it sounds cool. Very sharp and doesn't suffer from the muddiness of his other work at the time with more brutal bands.

Not sure about this remix tbh.

Album Rating: 2.5

comparing this to the original, something sounds "off" with this mix

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

There's a hollowness to this version for sure. It feels like it is mostly due to the guitar tone, but also the sound stage feels 'artificial' for lack of a better description.

Album Rating: 2.5

that's a gud way to put it

Yeah idk I'm glad this exists, there are a couple tracks in particular I really appreciated the new mix on, some punch and clarity to the bass and drums is nice for picking out things missed on the original.

That being said yeah it totally destroys the vibe of the original and will never replace it. At least it's better than the godforsaken Traced in Air remaster with no harshes.

The midi keys on stuff like how could I always fucked me up. It just sounds so silly and amateurish in comparison with everything else going on

Considering how good the Traced Remix sounds, I'm baffled as to how to ended up so flat and muddy

"-- The difference in listening '90s-'00s metal and post, say, 2014 metal becomes starker over time, to my ears at least.--

I prefer the more modern metal productions over the nineties stuff, and definitely the 80s stuff. "

I love that 80s 90s sound way more than the almost always overproduced sound we get now in metal

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

I call it the Fear Factory production because I think Demanufacture was the first album to use what is now the 'modern metal sound'. Everything has it's own space. Clicky bass drums, crisp guitar sound, and nice bottom end. I love that sound.



--That being said yeah it totally destroys the vibe of the original and will never replace it. At least it's better than the godforsaken Traced in Air remaster with no harshes.--

I prefer the Traced in Air Remixed album with the cleaner sound and no harshes. I always thought the harsh vocals on that album felt tacked on (or an after thought), and like it better without them.

--The midi keys on stuff like how could I always fucked me up. It just sounds so silly and amateurish in comparison with everything else going on --

The keyboard at the end of "How Could I" is the only time I think they sound a little 'off'. They're great on every other song.

Bass seems way quieter. Damn shame

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Really? For me on headphones, car stereo, and portable speaker the bass cut through more than the original when I was doing comparisons for the review. The only time it seems to not cut through is when I was listening straight through my computer speakers (2021 razer blade pro 17")

Album Rating: 3.0

"Considering how good the Traced Remix sounds"



Hmmm, I didn't really like the sound of that one either though. But it's for the opposite reason of why I don't like this one... on the Traced Remix, the bass is so intrusive that it takes too much attention away from the other instruments, whereas the bass and other low-end aspects are sorely lacking on ReFocus. I know it sounds like I can't be satisfied, but the Cynic remixes/remasters have done nothing for me so far; I vastly prefer the originals, warts and all

Album Rating: 3.0

And call me a traditionalist, but I really don't want either record to be "cleaned up" tbh. I feel as though the extra polish and gloss messes with what made them such unique records in the first place, especially in the case of Focus

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

--And call me a traditionalist, but I really don't want either record to be "cleaned up" tbh. I feel as though the extra polish and gloss messes with what made them such unique records in the first place, especially in the case of Focus --

I hear you, but choice is good. I almost always prefer remasters of my favorite nineties/eighties releases... Anacrusis, Pestilence, Voivod, Cynic, Death, Metallica, Megadeth (but not the godawful remixes), Queensryche, Fates Warning. I have all the remasters.

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah, I can see what you mean. I'm not sure why, but I've always been vehemently drawn to original album releases instead of remasters... a lot of remasters and remixes give me the same feeling that the Star Wars special editions give me, like they're messing with a piece of history without necessarily enhancing it. But I'm probably just overthinking the whole situation, lol

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

As my music playback devices have become more expensive I appreciate the remasters more and more.

It's funny you mention the Star Wars special editions, because I like all the extra details they added to those movies. Made them look more modern.

There's a hollowness to this version for sure. It feels like it is mostly due to the guitar tone, but also the sound stage feels 'artificial' for lack of a better description.'

Absolutely this. Nailed it.

The same, but different (way fucking worse for no good reason)

The Dimmu Borgir remix that came out last year was good. I actually prefer it to the original because it sounds like an alternate version and not like an "updated" version.