i was totally confused when it came out hey as i was into death and thrash metal but after several listens i was like wow this is something special. still the greatest thing ever.
I love the little clips of Chuck and the guys from Atheist hanging out. That’s one of the things I love about the Florida scene in the early 90’s; the bands were all just hanging out.
I work in a music store in NJ. Had a shredder in his 50's come in who was in that scene during its hayday. We talked for a while about Florida in the late 80's - early 90's. He said it was craziness. Everyone was just trying to have a band that did something, anything at all. He said basically anyone with a pulse was getting signed left and right. However, the scene was still relatively small. You could go to any show and find what is in essence the big four of OSDM all there, whether they were playing or just hanging out. Lots of cool stories from what was seemingly one of the coolest scenes ever. It burned hot and fast, that's for sure!
I find it quite unbelievable all of the best old-school death metal came out of Florida. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if it came out of one of those Nordic countries with horrible depressing weather, but it came out of a place with sub-tropical climate and palm trees everywhere. Really weird...
@@condorsmurphlyI love hearing this! I'm one of the older dudes that discovered the tape right after release and I can still remember it clearly. It was so alien. For the first moments I honestly didn't know what I was hearing though I knew it was musical. Then I Focused in 😉 and was able to follow the symmetry. It gave me some instant chills. Hair standing up on my neck .. endorphin release .. ect... instant all-time favorite. They were so ahead of their time. There are few of these moments in musical history and Cynic owns one of them.
@@CynHicks I feel like I had a very similar reaction. It felt alien, otherworldly, but the symmetry, the counterpoint, the progressive harmonic concepts, it all made sense intuitively to my ears, but I still couldn't comprehend it. I kept listening, and re-listening, because while it felt alien, it still fascinated me, and drew me in. It kept rewarding me with every subsequent listen. The deeper I listened, the more it revealed itself to me. Now when I listen, it still feels alien, but it also feels equally inspired by the Divine, unquestionably.
@@dpclerks09 ..to be clear my first listen was of a tape in my friends car and he hit play from where he randomly left off before. It was in "the middle" of a song. 🤯
The album Focus has been my favorite of all time. But I regret of never get to meet both Seans...their sounds of musicianship will always be in my heart & will never be forgotten. Cynic 4 Life.
The jazz drumming oriented is unbelievable. And the guitarwork like this back in 90s is mind blowing. These guys are really genius back then. Hail Cynic!
This video is a homage not only for Sean Malone and Sean Reinert, but also for the underground metal community of those years, years that I never lived because I'm young but that feel nostalgic anyway. From the band t-shirts, pubs and small but warm stages to the appearence of gone friends, this video is like going back in time to the old-school death metal days. I love Cynic and I'm grateful to them for so many reasons. RIP Sean Reinert and Sean Malone.
I was alone in my room watching this, all excited, smiling, pointing on everyone, surprised... but this thing gone wild when Chuck appear! Thank you for this.
I met Sean Malone at a guitar festival around 1996. I was wearing the Cynic Focus shirt and he said "Nice shirt" to me and I noticed it was him and started chatting. He told me that Jason Gobel was working in a tile factory and I said "That's such a waste of talent". He asked if I had a demo and sadly I was unprepared.
So ahead of its time. I wish metal community was more open minded to appreciate those guys. I read that they even had bottles thrown at them during concerts, and I can imagine how discouraging those incidents can be.
My morning started with goosebumps and by the end of this video tears. Boy are the two Sean's missed in the music world but this album forever lives on in the memory of many. Can't wait for the documentary.
I can clearly remember when for the first time i discovered Focus: the amazing chords, the lyrics, the elegance. All merged in a musical vision that is Art in its purest form. Thank you Cynic: i love you.
I saw Cynic in 94' in Berkeley Ca. It was a surreal experience.. They were all still kids/young adults but musically mature beyond thier ages and the times.
Sounds as fresh as when I first heard it 30 years ago. I miss our fellow travelers who left us but it was nice to see them in the video. Even caught a Chuck sighting too.
Focus is a life changing album. It's the only album that I didn't get at first, but didn't want to give up on either. It took me around 10 listens before I could understand and fell in love with this music. Thanks, Cynic, RIP Reinert and Malone
I had a similar experience. A friend wanted me to check it out. This was 93sh so it was fresh. I sat in his car and he started the tape. It was in the middle of some song, I remember it being this one actually. It only took me maybe 20 to 30 seconds to Focus in on it but at first it was like alien noise. Craziest thing really. As soon as I wrapped my head around what I was hearing I got that endorphin release, hair standing up, tingling in the spine ect ... instant all time favorite for me. It may take 30 more years for it to be properly appreciated but I'm convinced that some generation is going to come along and make this album a mainstream classic.
Focus is the album that broadened my horizons in terms of what metal could be. When I discovered it I was knee deep into bands like Necrophagist, Dying Fetus, and similarly "brutal" tech death that--don't get me wrong--is great but I always felt was missing *something*. Turns out what it was missing was the atmosphere Focus is absolutely drenched in. Practically overnight after listening to this album I became a giant prog dork and have never looked back.
Don't forget the SONGWRITING. Cynic stand head and shoulders above their peers and the bands they've influenced due in large part to their focus on the craft of songwriting/composition. This is a criminally overlooked aspect.
I’m thankful to have shared a few emails with Sean M. in the late 90’s. One of the all-time greats of my instrument. His solo in “Textures” was perfect.
Cynic is a band composed entirely of Master Musicians. Their music is transformative and healing on a deeply Spiritual level. They changed my life forever, and I will be forever grateful for that. Rest in Peace Sean Reinert and Sean Malone 🙏 Godspeed Paul! 💗🌎
It's been a long time since listening to such rich music with nostalgic memories from the late 80s together with Death vibes. Thank you, I couldn't ask for more, now I have an ocean to explore. And also (very important), massive respect for Mr. Masvidal who were rocking these mind blowing melodies at that time while most of us were in diapers!
Woah, I remember Jason talking about making a Focus documentary several years ago, but now seeing it come to light? I am so excited and cannot wait for this.
Please Please Please Paul-Ahhh (😉), include as much footage as you can in the documentary. I'd pay big bucks to own it. And so would tons of people. For the Sean's, forever deeply missed. 🙏
“Follow the yellow brick road”.. 🤣🤣 Santiago gave me the backstage footage he had back in the days of the first Aghora. Must still have it somewhere.. 🤔 But seeing this just brings back all the good memories and meeting SeanR in Miami for the photo shoot and speaking to SeanM on the phone for half an hour.. miss them 😢😩
Was, is and will be one of the examples of pure transcendence and piwer of audial visionary in music. THIS is a true music of our multiverse! Good and joyful journey to Sean and Sean, thank you for your legacy, you left on this planet!
We needed this, I'm in tears honestly, bringing back alot of memories. Because of the Jazz style of music & overall how amazing your lyrics are, even my mum loves you. I especially love Sein Reinert RIP.
I still can't comprehend the fact that they wrote "Focus" when they were in their early 20s and on top of that, they did it in 1993. For instance, I wouldn't be shocked if it'd been released in this day and age when you could get inspirations from so many bands but not in 1993. Cynic will always be one of my favourite bands of all time. Because these guys never cared about fame and such, only focused on making music that they'd love to play.
I was talking with Paul Masvidal recently about my son's (then) upcoming high school graduation. He mentioned that he'd missed his high school graduation ceremony because he was off touring Mexico with Death. These guys were children, man! It blows my mind.
Speechless, the remix sounds incredible. And thank you for sharing these memories with us (the footage during the solo is epic!). Thank you also for being part of our musical life and being an inspiration also outside of music, for 30 years.
Nice to see them remaster this. Even though Focus is one of my favorite albums of all time, it has one of the worst mixes I've ever heard on a great album :D. Also so nice to see old live performances and studio clips from the 80s/90s.
Whomever edited this video, I must give great props to. The timing of each individual live clip to the audio with how fast they cycle must of been a great endeavor. Cheers to Cynic!
greatest of all time! Одно из самых лучших вступлений к лонгплеям, первые минуты данной открывающей композиции! 1:01 мелодия стоит как рингтон на смартфоне, сопровождает все звонки. Очень забавно, когда в твоём окружении у всех стандартные рингтоны или что-то очень популярное. А у тебя то, что никто не знает )
I remember when this came out. My and my guitar friends lost our fucking minds. I'm not at all surprised at how much music is influenced by this very album. Doesn't even sound 30 years old.
Man this album changed everything for me. How I listen to music, approach spirituality and travel through life. Thank you Cynic! Rip Sean Reinert and Sean Malone. 🙏
This hits just as deep as it did when it first came out. Look at those guys! The youth, the ninetees, the prowess on their instruments. Thank you so much for Focus. Rest in peace, Sean Reinert and Sean Malone.
My wife was trying to talk me out of buying the first day of prog power. She's like... I don't know any of these bands. I was like whaaaaat, CYNIC???? We're going 🤣
this particular album made me elevate my being to another level. This album makes me feel many feelings, mostly good and comforting. thank you paul and jason for continuing to give me hope and strength. Freedom and reason shrine through.
3:09 Chuck Schuldiner ❤
Really a once in a century album
This album is magic
It's truly a masterpiece and I don't use that term lightly.
i was totally confused when it came out hey as i was into death and thrash metal but after several listens i was like wow this is something special. still the greatest thing ever.
That's what I said in 1992
Saw em live also, but that had some girl on vocals.
They had some random girl on vocals circa 1992!
Rip Sean Reinert, Sean Malone, and Chuck. This is a great vid btw.
2020 was a killer
I love the little clips of Chuck and the guys from Atheist hanging out. That’s one of the things I love about the Florida scene in the early 90’s; the bands were all just hanging out.
I work in a music store in NJ. Had a shredder in his 50's come in who was in that scene during its hayday. We talked for a while about Florida in the late 80's - early 90's. He said it was craziness. Everyone was just trying to have a band that did something, anything at all. He said basically anyone with a pulse was getting signed left and right. However, the scene was still relatively small. You could go to any show and find what is in essence the big four of OSDM all there, whether they were playing or just hanging out. Lots of cool stories from what was seemingly one of the coolest scenes ever. It burned hot and fast, that's for sure!
I find it quite unbelievable all of the best old-school death metal came out of Florida. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if it came out of one of those Nordic countries with horrible depressing weather, but it came out of a place with sub-tropical climate and palm trees everywhere. Really weird...
Thank you so much for this. Sean Malone & Sean Reinert will never be forgotten. 🙏
and chuck who appears briefly
Probably the best metal rhythm section ever, maybe only behind Ward and Butler.
@@antoinesecret Yeah, Chuck at 3:09.
Awesome footage from the 90s. They are really ahead in metal genre at this time. World class musicianship. Max respect❤
Amen! 🙏🙌
Kings of their craft. Focus is a timeless album. 30 years and it's still listens like a new release.
I found it the other day and was surprised with the age
@@condorsmurphlyI love hearing this! I'm one of the older dudes that discovered the tape right after release and I can still remember it clearly. It was so alien. For the first moments I honestly didn't know what I was hearing though I knew it was musical. Then I Focused in 😉 and was able to follow the symmetry. It gave me some instant chills. Hair standing up on my neck .. endorphin release .. ect... instant all-time favorite.
They were so ahead of their time. There are few of these moments in musical history and Cynic owns one of them.
@@CynHicks I feel like I had a very similar reaction. It felt alien, otherworldly, but the symmetry, the counterpoint, the progressive harmonic concepts, it all made sense intuitively to my ears, but I still couldn't comprehend it. I kept listening, and re-listening, because while it felt alien, it still fascinated me, and drew me in. It kept rewarding me with every subsequent listen. The deeper I listened, the more it revealed itself to me. Now when I listen, it still feels alien, but it also feels equally inspired by the Divine, unquestionably.
@@dpclerks09 ..to be clear my first listen was of a tape in my friends car and he hit play from where he randomly left off before. It was in "the middle" of a song. 🤯
The album Focus has been my favorite of all time. But I regret of never get to meet both Seans...their sounds of musicianship will always be in my heart & will never be forgotten. Cynic 4 Life.
Looking forward to the Cynic Focus Documentary!!
The jazz drumming oriented is unbelievable. And the guitarwork like this back in 90s is mind blowing. These guys are really genius back then. Hail Cynic!
This remix and remaster is INSANE.
I gave this a chance but this sucks. Whoever did Human in like 2012 should’ve done this instead
Happy to see Chuck show up (briefly) at 3:09
03:09 Chuck!!! ❤❤❤
One of the most epic drum parts in Metal 's history..
I like the pattrens on How Could I, such a steady and open-minded parts!
This album is timeless, if it were released today, it would still be ahead of its time. Hearing new iterations of it just furthers that even more.
Very true, along with Atheist and Death the Florida scene back in the day seemed INSANE!
This video is a homage not only for Sean Malone and Sean Reinert, but also for the underground metal community of those years, years that I never lived because I'm young but that feel nostalgic anyway. From the band t-shirts, pubs and small but warm stages to the appearence of gone friends, this video is like going back in time to the old-school death metal days.
I love Cynic and I'm grateful to them for so many reasons. RIP Sean Reinert and Sean Malone.
3:09 rip legend
To this day I can’t find a single album that sounds like Focus! So unique and creative with such innovative and progressive ideas!
One of best death metal albums of all times. This album with "Human" and "Individual Thought Patterns" by Death change death metal world.
I was alone in my room watching this, all excited, smiling, pointing on everyone, surprised... but this thing gone wild when Chuck appear! Thank you for this.
Same) it even hurt. Realising that these great guys are gone now -sean, sean and chuck
So ahead of its time even now. These guys were living in the future.
Documentary and remixed album incoming? 😮
I met Sean Malone at a guitar festival around 1996. I was wearing the Cynic Focus shirt and he said "Nice shirt" to me and I noticed it was him and started chatting. He told me that Jason Gobel was working in a tile factory and I said "That's such a waste of talent". He asked if I had a demo and sadly I was unprepared.
Jason is active again. He just took a different path, but it seems like he's playing music.
4:00 that legendary Morrisound couch...
So ahead of its time. I wish metal community was more open minded to appreciate those guys. I read that they even had bottles thrown at them during concerts, and I can imagine how discouraging those incidents can be.
It's wild looking behind them and seeing CRATE stacks. I never dreamed that they played those.
My morning started with goosebumps and by the end of this video tears. Boy are the two Sean's missed in the music world but this album forever lives on in the memory of many. Can't wait for the documentary.
Also we see a glimpse of our Lord Chuck 😢
is that Schuldiner at 3:09 ?!
I can clearly remember when for the first time i discovered Focus: the amazing chords, the lyrics, the elegance. All merged in a musical vision that is Art in its purest form. Thank you Cynic: i love you.
RIP Chuck, Sean Reinert and Sean Malone. You changed my life!
this song makes me proud to be named Maya
My Favourite band ever
I saw Cynic in 94' in Berkeley Ca. It was a surreal experience.. They were all still kids/young adults but musically mature beyond thier ages and the times.
I'm one whose carried Focus around since the 90's, imagine my joy getting this 30th anniversary remaster, a true masterpiece of an album!
Sounds as fresh as when I first heard it 30 years ago. I miss our fellow travelers who left us but it was nice to see them in the video. Even caught a Chuck sighting too.
1:16 lol. Time capsule. Love this ❤️
No estoy llorando, me entró una basurita a los ojos ❤🙏
Está lloviendo, hermano
estoy llorando en esta tribuna
me sumo al llanto
@@Gabriel-pz9ct Esta es una hermosa manera de expresar un sentimiento que muchos sienten. Esta es Gracia. Gracias hermano.
Focus is a life changing album. It's the only album that I didn't get at first, but didn't want to give up on either. It took me around 10 listens before I could understand and fell in love with this music. Thanks, Cynic, RIP Reinert and Malone
I had a similar experience. A friend wanted me to check it out. This was 93sh so it was fresh. I sat in his car and he started the tape. It was in the middle of some song, I remember it being this one actually. It only took me maybe 20 to 30 seconds to Focus in on it but at first it was like alien noise. Craziest thing really. As soon as I wrapped my head around what I was hearing I got that endorphin release, hair standing up, tingling in the spine ect ... instant all time favorite for me.
It may take 30 more years for it to be properly appreciated but I'm convinced that some generation is going to come along and make this album a mainstream classic.
Paul Zimmerman! Gotta get in touch with Paul about all the Kendall warehouse VHS recordings of Cynic and the Death/Human practice sessions!
Focus is the album that broadened my horizons in terms of what metal could be. When I discovered it I was knee deep into bands like Necrophagist, Dying Fetus, and similarly "brutal" tech death that--don't get me wrong--is great but I always felt was missing *something*. Turns out what it was missing was the atmosphere Focus is absolutely drenched in. Practically overnight after listening to this album I became a giant prog dork and have never looked back.
Don't forget the SONGWRITING.
Cynic stand head and shoulders above their peers and the bands they've influenced due in large part to their focus on the craft of songwriting/composition. This is a criminally overlooked aspect.
I’m thankful to have shared a few emails with Sean M. in the late 90’s. One of the all-time greats of my instrument. His solo in “Textures” was perfect.
May the Seans rest in peace and jam together foreva!
Cynic is a band composed entirely of Master Musicians.
Their music is transformative and healing on a deeply Spiritual level. They changed my life forever, and I will be forever grateful for that.
Rest in Peace Sean Reinert and Sean Malone 🙏
Godspeed Paul! 💗🌎
Very nicely put together. Legends. RIP to the Seans and Chuck.
One has to have dozens of re-incarantions to create such a spiritual experience, at such a young age. Blessed souls
The remaster i didn't knew i needed...
This brings back so many memories...
Tremendo.
Thank you Cynic. You've helped make me the musician I am today.
PS- Also thank you Paul, for keeping things going.
I remember when this hit the shelves. Legendary album with incredible talent all the way around
It's been a long time since listening to such rich music with nostalgic memories from the late 80s together with Death vibes. Thank you, I couldn't ask for more, now I have an ocean to explore. And also (very important), massive respect for Mr. Masvidal who were rocking these mind blowing melodies at that time while most of us were in diapers!
Woah, I remember Jason talking about making a Focus documentary several years ago, but now seeing it come to light? I am so excited and cannot wait for this.
I'm incredibly excited about the upcoming Cynic Focus documentary. So rad!
Please Please Please Paul-Ahhh (😉), include as much footage as you can in the documentary. I'd pay big bucks to own it. And so would tons of people. For the Sean's, forever deeply missed. 🙏
“Follow the yellow brick road”.. 🤣🤣 Santiago gave me the backstage footage he had back in the days of the first Aghora. Must still have it somewhere.. 🤔 But seeing this just brings back all the good memories and meeting SeanR in Miami for the photo shoot and speaking to SeanM on the phone for half an hour.. miss them 😢😩
Had no clue this was in the works - Focus has been a big part of my life for near 20 years now. Will be watching!
Why in the F would ANYONE give this a thumbs down? I mean, seriousIy, just why in the flying F???
rip sean malone and sean reinert. thank you for everything
Love this band
Was, is and will be one of the examples of pure transcendence and piwer of audial visionary in music.
THIS is a true music of our multiverse!
Good and joyful journey to Sean and Sean, thank you for your legacy, you left on this planet!
12月の日本講演まで何とか頑張って生きる！
I first heard this as a early teen, still amazing 20 years later!
Heard a lot of drum stuff that i didnt hear on original mix, very cool
PS - 3:09 wassup Chuck
Reminds me of the song Cynic by Veil of Maya.
We needed this, I'm in tears honestly, bringing back alot of memories. Because of the Jazz style of music & overall how amazing your lyrics are, even my mum loves you. I especially love Sein Reinert RIP.
Sean Malone was such an incredible bass player. I am thankful for have known him and for him instilling some of his knowledge in me.
gracias por tanto Cynic (que en los cosmos en paz descansen Sean Malone y Sean Reinert) 👽🖤
So young ,and so much talent...I'm envious 🙄
Be inspired, instead! Create your own "Focus"!
Such a masterpiece of an album top to bottom.
Timeless music that can never be replicated
Ok, so that got me choked up.
Happy Birthday, Beautiful Master Sean Reinert! 🙏
It was awesome to finally catch this again in London this week. Hearing Focus in its entirety made my week!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I still can't comprehend the fact that they wrote "Focus" when they were in their early 20s and on top of that, they did it in 1993. For instance, I wouldn't be shocked if it'd been released in this day and age when you could get inspirations from so many bands but not in 1993. Cynic will always be one of my favourite bands of all time. Because these guys never cared about fame and such, only focused on making music that they'd love to play.
I was talking with Paul Masvidal recently about my son's (then) upcoming high school graduation. He mentioned that he'd missed his high school graduation ceremony because he was off touring Mexico with Death. These guys were children, man! It blows my mind.
Speechless, the remix sounds incredible. And thank you for sharing these memories with us (the footage during the solo is epic!). Thank you also for being part of our musical life and being an inspiration also outside of music, for 30 years.
one of my favourite albums by my favourite drummer RIP Sean
Nice to see them remaster this. Even though Focus is one of my favorite albums of all time, it has one of the worst mixes I've ever heard on a great album :D. Also so nice to see old live performances and studio clips from the 80s/90s.
Whomever edited this video, I must give great props to. The timing of each individual live clip to the audio with how fast they cycle must of been a great endeavor. Cheers to Cynic!
The Sean's will never be forgotten..
Great remix.. 👍🤘🤘
greatest of all time!
Одно из самых лучших вступлений к лонгплеям, первые минуты данной открывающей композиции!
1:01 мелодия стоит как рингтон на смартфоне, сопровождает все звонки. Очень забавно, когда в твоём окружении у всех стандартные рингтоны или что-то очень популярное. А у тебя то, что никто не знает )
The fact that half of Cynic is no longer with us does not make the world a better place.
I remember when this came out. My and my guitar friends lost our fucking minds. I'm not at all surprised at how much music is influenced by this very album. Doesn't even sound 30 years old.
3:09 Chuck!
Theses guys are just on another level
Man this album changed everything for me. How I listen to music, approach spirituality and travel through life. Thank you Cynic! Rip Sean Reinert and Sean Malone. 🙏
3:09
This hits just as deep as it did when it first came out. Look at those guys! The youth, the ninetees, the prowess on their instruments. Thank you so much for Focus. Rest in peace, Sean Reinert and Sean Malone.
They were ahead of their time, and still remain
You were way ahead of the times. Masterpiece!
Awesome. Neat that you got some quick shots of Chuck, Kelly, Rand, Scotty, some of the other clowns :) Great stuff!
Como amo esse disco e essa banda! Não existe nenhum paralelo nem na epoca nem atualmente. Experiência espiritual.
I m going High School first time listen Focus album " Oh My Gosh sounds incedirable!" and still loved
I love u guys and Rest in peace Sean x 2
So the Documentary is coming
Liking that. !
When is it coming aprox ?
This band is a monumental milestone in just how out there you can get, but still retain the supreme death metal that leaves dents in your face!
Grandioso. Discazo, no hay que agregar más
My wife was trying to talk me out of buying the first day of prog power. She's like... I don't know any of these bands.
I was like whaaaaat, CYNIC???? We're going 🤣
One of the Greatest Bands Ever to Grace the Planet!!!
Amen!
this particular album made me elevate my being to another level.
This album makes me feel many feelings, mostly good and comforting.
thank you paul and jason for continuing to give me hope and strength.
Freedom and reason shrine through.
Great show in Sao Paulo yesterday. Rest in Power
So Beautiful!!!!
Cant Wait to See mr masvidal in lima . I dream hearing he singing his part in sumeria by dtp
This was a treat. Thank you Cynic.
Of course Chuck makes a Lil sneaky-poo appearance during Paul's solo 😂😂