Paul Masvidal (Cynic) Working on New Material & Signature Guitar
Progressive‑extreme metal legend Paul Masvidal is currently in the studio with Cynic, writing new material while collaborating with Kiesel Guitars on an upcoming signature headless model. After more than a decade with Strandberg, where he released five signature variants, Masvidal signed with Kiesel in early 2024 to explore fresh sonic and ergonomic possibilities.
In a statement, Kiesel’s Vice‑President Jeff Kiesel expressed excitement about the collaboration, while Masvidal commented: “Our goal is to push boundaries and create innovative instruments that will hopefully inspire musicians worldwide to create more art” .
Masvidal began touring with Death in 1989 -while still in high school- when Chuck Schuldiner invited him to perform in Mexico City. He learned over a dozen songs in just one week and performed to sold‑out arenas and Mexican TV audiences. He later officially joined Death for the Human album and toured extensively in support of it.
While grateful for the experience with Death, Masvidal chose to remain committed to Cynic. Alongside Sean Reinert, he formed the band in the late 1980s, and their debut album Focus (1993) is widely regarded as a groundbreaking blend of death metal and jazz fusion.
Paul Masvidal, founding member of Cynic, is back in the studio crafting new music and collaborating with Kiesel Guitars on his first signature headless model. Having recently transitioned from Strandberg after over a decade of partnership, Masvidal is embracing a new creative chapter.
Reflecting on his early years, he recalls joining Death in 1989 while still in high school—learning an entire set of songs in just one week and performing in front of sold‑out audiences in Mexico City. Though he later recorded and toured with Death for the album Human, Masvidal chose to focus his energy on Cynic, citing a stronger creative vision with his own band.
At just 18 years old, Paul Masvidal got a call from Chuck Schuldiner inviting him to play with Death in Mexico City. Despite being in high school, Masvidal agreed. He learned 12 songs in about a week and flew out to perform in front of thousands of rabid fans. The crowd energy, the chaos, and the scale of it all was life‑changing.
"Flying to Mexico City and performing for a sea of insanely ravenous fans at a sold‑out arena was mind‑blowing for a teenager."
The show was even broadcast on national Mexican television, which made the experience surreal. According to Masvidal, this was his first real exposure to arena-sized metal, and the emotional and sonic impact left a lasting impression.
Though he officially joined Death later for the landmark album Human (1991), Masvidal ultimately decided not to stay in the band permanently. He felt a deeper, more personal artistic connection to what he was building with Cynic, alongside drummer Sean Reinert.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but Cynic felt like home. We had our own thing going, and I needed to follow that path.”
This balance between technical precision and emotional depth became the hallmark of Cynic's signature sound, fusing progressive death metal, jazz fusion, and spiritual themes in ways that reshaped the genre.
Fans can expect fresh Cynic material soon, and Masvidal’s upcoming Kiesel signature guitar promises modern innovation rooted in decades of avant‑garde metal artistry.