Cynic — Traced in Air Remixed
Though there is apparently new tracking from bassist Sean Malone, any changes made from the original version are subtle indeed. The mix is indeed clearer, more vivid, without too much fatiguing brightness, and I would say it is an improvement. However, the mix of the original album already sounded great, and in the end I would question whether anyone need buy both. If you've never heard this album, by all means, pick up this re-issue, but don't expect much of a new experience if you're a long time fan of this band.
The music on the album, of course, is wondrously beautiful and great to hear again. The intelligence of the band's tonal choices stands out in the world of technical metal as much as it did 12 years ago. Careful craftsmanship has no expiration date.
Listening closely, I would say that this version sounds more live, with some of the electronic effects of the original removed, much the opposite of what one might expect from an album with 'Remixed' in the title. The vocoder has been largely removed from Masvidal's voice, and there seems to be less reverb on the entire band. Tymon's growls are also pushed even further back into the mix than they were the first time around, a decision I would personally question. Why include them at all if they not allowed to resonate powerfully as was originally intended?
This version of Traced in Air is certainly the ideal one for the analytical instrumentalist seeking to decipher every detail of the playing. I am not going to give this re-issue a perfect rating, however, due to the confusing title Traced in Air Remixed and their near removal of Tymon from the mix. I would question the necessity of this re-issue, as the original came out on the same label not so long ago, and sounded perfectly modern and clean.