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Everyone's Replaceable

NOT FEELING CYNICAL ABOUT CYNIC’S LINE-UP CHANGES

 Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 10:40am by

So yesterday, Cynic posted a message on their Facebook page in which they announced the departure of bassist Robin Zielhorst and guitarist Tymon Kruidenier from the band. The reasons are not typical, which is to say, there were no so-called “creative differences” or “disagreements about the direction of the band,” no one is suing anyone or fucked someone’s girlfriend or anything like that. The reason is simple and logistical: Zielhort and Kruidenier live in The Netherlands, while Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert live in California. So there’s no drama here whatsoever.

And not only is there no drama here, but this isn’t even really bad news. Here’s why:

  • Zielhort and Kruidenier weren’t even original members of Cynic in the first place, and to the best of my knowledge, they didn’t write any material for Traced in Air.
  • Zielhort and Kruidenier are extremely talented musicians (I mean, you’d have to be to play in Cynic, so duh), and they now “plan to work on a new release from their band Exivious,” which is great, ’cause Exivious are terrific.
  • Perhaps aware of the fact that fans might take this news a little hard, the statement says that The new Cynic release is coming in summer 2011.

So to review: these dudes are leaving the band on good terms, and by this time next year we could have new releases from Cynic and Exivious? Other than the fact that poor Paul and Sean now have to audition some new guys, I’m not really seeing any downside here.

You can read Cynic’s full statement on the matter here, and then feel free to disagree with me in the comments section, although I really don’t see why you would.

-AR

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Skylar-Strange/1095951788 Skylar Strange

    The posts also says a new remix of Focus is coming. Sweeeeet.
    Met Robin and Tymon and got a picture with them at the Clifton Park, NY stop of their tour with Between The Buried And Me. Extreme nice gents. Wish them nothing but the best. Plus new Exivious? Sign me up.
    Maybe Paul should see what Jason Gobel is up to…?

    • BabiesKillYou

      I was at that show too. One of the best line up of bands in one show I have seen. I loved the interactive crowd yoga!

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Skylar-Strange/1095951788 Skylar Strange

        Agreed. One of the VERY few tours I’ve attended that’s had what I’d consider a flawless lineup.

  • Tim

    If only Sean Malone would come back permanently…

    • Different Drummer

      Indeed. Malone rules. If he doesn’t rejoin Cynic maybe he’ll put out another Gordian Knot.

  • Piero

    Exivious announced on their Facebook page that they are officially back, very good news !!!

  • ebonicplague

    Gobal has a different life then that of a tour band member. Sean Malone won’t be back in Cynic.

    They are working on new stuff right now

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sanskar-Wagley/1376400331 Sanskar Wagley

    I predict Tony Choy being the new bassist

    • http://www.myspace.com/thestarsthrewdowntheirspears Tim

      I really hope not. I don’t think he’d mesh with them at all. He doesn’t even play fretless. The only Californian fretless metal bassist I’m aware of is Joe Lester, who I’m sure is plenty busy enough with Intronaut (although that would be awesome).

      • Shitz Nolte

        Steve DiGeorgio, is from Cali I think. Don’t think he’d be a good match though.

        • Sylvester

          Good Call!
          But I think you may be right in that it may not be a good fit.
          As far as skills, he’s definitely got the chops, not a doubt in my mind. But I think the stylistic differences would be a challenge.
          I would like to hear either him or Joe Lester in the bass slot, sure either would be interesting.
          Upside is that I’ve heard Masvidal is a stoner, and so is DiGiorgio (Lester too!), so that is a plus.
          They will probably pick up a couple of unknowns for touring and just keep the writing between the core members.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Skylar-Strange/1095951788 Skylar Strange

      Doubt it, given what happened recently with him and Atheist.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nick-Porcaro/1342290013 Nick Porcaro

    No more Tymon? I thought his growls were friggin’ great, and he had a nice lead style (when given the chance to show it) that really complimented Paul’s guitar work.

    I’m sure whoever they find will be awesome, though.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Lance-Zeran/100000142665110 Lance Zeran

    You’re welcome for the pun.

  • sYgnal

    Maybe… The king of Fretless & Hyperbass, Michael Manring?! I mean he does live in California and he could definitely hang, musically, with Paul & Sean because he recorded with Ron Jarzombek & Jeff Loomis. That, and because he is THE FREAKING BASS GOD!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eTBc7aWBGw

  • Corey

    First of all, nice fucking up Robin’s last name on the post.

    Second, Tymon contributed a lot to the Traced in Air writing process.

    Third, things were most certainly not left on as good of terms as this post, and Cynic’s facebook page implies.

    I do skype sessions with one of the members of the Focus line up (I won’t say who) and this dispute did not stem from the geography. (why would they have joined the band in the fisrt place if this was ever going to be an issue?) Essentially, Paul and Sean had made some plans to change the line up, and were very fucking shifty about it. My teacher, was invited to participate long before Robin was privy to the fact that he would essentially be fired, and the second Tymon and Robin got wind of this, they threw a shit storm and quit.

    All I’ll say, is that if you are a focus fan, you’re going to LOVE the new line up ;)

    • supertrixx

      What a shame. Without Tymon’s contributions TiA wouldn’t have been half as good in my view.

      Corey: Very interesting. Along with your point about the logistical thing, the Dutch guys also never hinted anything was wrong on facebook/forums etc, before they suddenly had to quit the band and move. It’s wierd. If what you’re saying is true, this is a pretty rotten move on Paul and Sean’s part.

      However, this doesn’t explain what incentive Tymon and Robin would have to essentially lie about the situation. Well, could be just courtesy..

      Still looking forward to the next album from both parties.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vuk-Stanovi/1477373201 Vuk Stanovčić

    it’d be great to pull Ryan Martinie out of Mudvayne, he is a brilliant bass player, and his talent is proving to be a waste since their third record..He deserves a band like Cynic.
    of course that i’d love to have Sean Malone as a permament member, but it’s blatantly obvious that he’s not too keen on giving up his bass teacher job for being a member of the band.

    i think they’ll once again go for Sean for the third record; if they don’t find a new bassist in 2011, Kringel is my best bet as a short-term replacement.