Cynic @ The Village
Posted on 6th Dec 11 by Jonathan Keane | 
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“…Start to finish, there’s virtually no fault and The Space For This tops off an impressive show…”
Not since November 2008, supporting Opeth, have Cynic stepped foot on Irish soil, and this time for a headlining set, it’s a welcome development as a reasonably strong crowd makes their way into The Village. On the 11th hour, the touring line-up found itself in disarray though with French prog metal band Hypno5e completely dropping off the touring, leaving the first slot open for tonight. Thankfully, Limerick’s instru-metallers Shardborne have stepped up to the plate.
With their EP, Aeonian Sequence, under their belt the band have really begun to make strides amongst Irish metal this year, and supporting Cynic is sure to put a nice cap on things as we wave goodbye to 2011. Kicking in with B141, the band is more than up for the challenge laid out before them and with two new wholly impressive songs getting an airing tonight, the future should be a challenge they’re capable of conquering too.
Chimp Spanner then have a bit of a buzz around. The instrumental tech metal outfit, led by Paul Antonio Ortiz, has a few of his faithful in the crowd, and when he and his band emerge on stage they meet a hero’s welcome and, blasting out cuts from the lauded At The Dream’s Edge record, the band is tight and solid.
Ortiz’s skills are immense with dazzling technicality, and exchanging smiles with his band mates throughout the set, it’s clear that making the decision to bring Chimp Spanner to the live stage has paid off. The only complaint that can be noted is that once or twice the set slumps into some monotony but is often quick to throw another curveball, like the standout number of The Mirror.
Cynic though are an entirely different beast. Spectral blue lights drench the stage as Paul Masvidal is seen making his way to his mic and the ethereal chants of Amidst The Coal seep through the PA and gives way to new tune Carbon-Based Anatomy. As beautiful, swirling and meditative images project on the backdrop, Cynic begin to unfurl an empowering set.
The emphasis of Cynic is on the band’s material since reuniting, but landmark album Focus is of course not forgotten with Veil of Maya and How Could I all flaring with ease. Traced In Air and new EP, Carbon-Based Anatomy make for the set’s highlights though, like Evolutionary Sleeper and the grandiose vibes of King of Those Whose Know, while Integral Birth is simply stunning. The addition of Re-Traced re-working Integral prior also makes for a nice touch.
Most recent cuts from the new EP slot in perfectly with the more seasoned songs too. Elves Beam Out and Box Up My Bones are wondrous offerings, the latter being shamelessly hooky and baroque. Meanwhile, Re-Traced’s Wheels Within Wheels is elegantly executed. Start to finish, there’s virtually no fault and The Space For This tops off an impressive show. It’s the first night of the tour so anyone else making it out to any of the shows shall not be disappointed.
Tags: Carbon Based Anatomy, Chimp Spanner, Cynic, Focus, Paul Masvidal, Re-Traced, Shardborne, The Village, Traced In Air