Cynic is an American progressive metal band formed in Miami in 1987, later relocating to California in the late 1990s, which influenced their evolving sound. Led by guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter Paul Masvidal, Cynic is known for blending progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their acclaimed debut album Focus appeared in 1993, followed by a breakup in 1994 and a reunion in 2006. The band’s discography includes Traced in Air in 2008, along with the EPs Re-Traced and Carbon-Based Anatomy, and the studio albums Kindly Bent to Free Us and Ascension Codes. Cynic’s history has been marked by creative evolution as well as the losses of longtime drummer Sean Reinert in 2020 and bassist Sean Malone later that year.