Review by JD on August 5, 2009.

I was not very aware of who Cynic was at the start when I had gotten the CD... hearing the name only in passing over the years. I went online and did my research on the band for quite awhile... and came out intrigued as all hell, excited with finding out said things and now can describe myself as being a fan of the band.

Back in 93', Cynic had released their debut album called "Focus" (which I never heard until doing the research) on to the world. By all accounts I could find through investigating and talking to people and listening as well... everyone said it was a Progressive Metal masterpiece... and I have to agree. Shoot ahead fifteen years later, they release their follow-up to it called "Traced In Air". A long time between albums... but after hearing "Traced In Air"... I gotta say it is well worth it.

Cynic is so bloody amazing, I cant believe it even after listening to it multiple times. Talent is a word seriously overly used in ever facet of life today, but this band really does epitomises the using of this term. They are heavy as anyone out there in metal today, but they are also some of the best songwriters I have heard. They are complex as all hell, but it is catchy and seems to feel as if their technicality never talks down to you. They bring Prog Metal to be accessible to the metal mainstream.... A feat even the mighty Opeth never quite got right.

Songs like ‘Space For This’ show heaviness and complex arrangements do go well together... while ‘The Unknown Guest’ is spacey and heavy while the mix play of guttural vocals and clean ones creates a amazing sort of feel that weaves through the virtuosic guitar lines that ebb and flow like the angry seas against the coastline. Close your eyes, and they make the world they sing about dance in your mind.

Back when Cynic’s first album was released, I was more into the Black and Doom Metal at the time... so it is not hard to see why I never listened to their first one. Now that I am older (and hopefully) wiser while probably being a way better musician by now... I see Prog Metal to be pretty amazing, and Cynic is the one to beat.. Sorry Opeth and all of the wannabes... the Prog masters are back and have ripped the crown away for their own!.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 10
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.7 out of 10

Review by JD on June 15, 2011.

As metallists, we have to find the time not to take ourselves too seriously - to have fun while doing what it is what we do. That is my way of thinking after so many years of playing and writing music. That is why I love a serious metal band, who still can just poke fun at things and have a good time while still rockin’ out. Polish Thrash/Crossover masters Acid Drinkers reminded me of that point.

Legends in their homeland, as their fun approach to metal has garnered them notoriety outside of their metal masses, Acid Drinkers seem to have found that perfect balance between being very serious musicians and letting that humorous, almost irreverent, side of their personalities come through. I am glad that I can lend my voice into telling the North American metal scene about them.

Punk infused 'Fuel My Soul' is a track that has a tongue-in-cheek jab at non-drinkers that nearly made me fall out of my chair laughing, while other songs like 'Meltdown Of Sanctity' has a more serious tone to it that perfectly balances everything out. There is no better example of a band I could ever find of a group that is so skilfully adept at being a very serious band, who happens to just want to have a whole fuck load of fun doing it.

Humourous lyrics mixed with some seriously titanic shredding with this crazy feel of some Hardcore Punk, a perfect way to pop open a cold one and relax - it is better (and a whole lot cheaper) than going for therapy for some deep depression. This is my prescription for all of us, use as much as you need - for as long as needed. One more thing, use this prescription with massive quantities of beer.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.4 out of 10