‘It’s a Good Time for a Band Like Us’ – Paul Masvidal of Cynic Takes the Oath [AUDIO]

Cynic mastermind Paul Masvidal called the BuzzLine for the March 1 edition of The Oath to mark the release of the band's latest offering, Kindly Bent to Free Us.

With the release of the new album, Cynic have fully made the transition from their beginnings as an experimental death metal band to being a full-on prog rock outfit. Even though metal fans as a whole are a lot more open-minded these days and Kindly Bent to Free Us has been generally well received, the band still have those who think Cynic aren't heavy enough.

"It's an ongoing polarization that happens, I think, because of our link to the extreme metal community through Death." Masvidal continues, "People expect us to be brutaller and heavier, but they don't realize we've always just done what we're doing regardless and try to just stay honest about our process."

The fact that fans are more receptive to bands broadening their horizons by not repeating themselves has been a good thing for Cynic as the band are more popular now than they were in the 90's.

"We had a really hard time back then,' he said. "That's partly why we broke up in '93. We didn't feel liked."

I, for one, am glad Cynic are feeling liked these days and I'm stoked to see the band live. They have yet to announce tour dates in support of Kindly Bent to Free Us but Masvidal assured me that a North American trek is in the works.

Keep up with all things Cynic at cyniconline.com.