Cynic vocalist and guitarist Paul Masvidal has posted a brief but touching tribute to his former Cynic band mates, bassist Sean Malone and drummer Sean Reinert. Reinert unexpectedly passed away at the start of 2020, and Malone committed suicide toward the end of the same year. Even calling the music the trio released throughout their career "legendary" feels like an understatement – Focus in 1993 alone essentially defined an entirely new aspect of death metal.
"Dear Sean and Sean,
"A year ago today, you left this realm, Malone. I am thinking of your friendship and immeasurable commitment to music. Only months before, you swiftly exited, Reinert. I am thinking of how rare our connection was and the legacy you've left behind for generations of musicians to come.
"While I celebrate the birth of Ascension Codes with both of you in my heart, I also mourn your untimely deaths.
"Even though your physical bodies have changed form, your energetic bodies have given us transcendent music that will traverse the cosmos for eternity. And for this I am forever grateful; to have shared a passage of life with creative beings like you, who in the face of your own suffering, gave so much."
Masvidal has since soldiered on and released a new Cynic album called Ascension Codes along with drummer Matt Lynch (Trioscapes) and keyboardist Dave Mackay.
