Cynic
Ascension Codes

4.0
excellent

Review

by Abb USER (1 Reviews)
November 28th, 2021 | 37 replies

Release Date: 2021 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The architects are building my mind? Epoodoo Sinaroo! Won't you bless mine too?

Cynics’ album Traced In Air surprised fans everywhere with its alien and original sound combining both impressive riffage with soft robotic vocal passages. Cynic have always been an atmospheric and spiritual band, providing more than just noodling, their albums had atmosphere. If Traced In Air was to epitomize cold and the spirit of ice – then Ascension Codes is to epitomize the element of wind. Starting out boldly with over 7 minutes of instrumental, Ascension Code spares no time in setting the mood with groovy bass and bombastic guitars that weave together to form an impressive collaboration that feels wondrous and exploratory.

Vocals are very sparse on this album but when they do appear they are used effectively more so to compliment the instrumentation over anything else. Mystical Serpents is the first of the songs to truly feature vocals and the harmony is absolutely gorgeous. What little there are in terms of vocals does go on to explain the meaning behind the album, while Cynic have always been a spiritual band, this is their most spiritual yet. The story of this album features the progressive story of a single spirit uniting with some sort of deities to experience the wondrous miracle that is life. Moreso than mere vocals, the instrumental does the talking letting the listener experience what the spirit is feeling, in the utter awe of it all.

From beginning to end this album is more atmospheric and ethereal than Cynic's past work. Although there is no direct death metal on this album it is hard to deny the history of this band and its importance on the death metal scene, as the sound is still there and influence is still very apparent in the riffs. Each song has repetitive sections allowing them to sink in giving a progressive feel. Tiny interludes throughout the album help to hold it together and make it feel as if one big cohesive piece.

The bass on this album is excellent, it stays low to the ground and sets a framework that the guitars are free to explore and weave throughout, the whole package together leads to a very curious album that leads you to beg for more. Ascension Codes triumphs because it takes the listener on a journey one that is equally perplexing to itself as it is to its listener.

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