Cynic bassist Sean Malone has died at the age of 50
Sean Malone, the bassist of the metal band Cynic, has died at the age of 50.
Cynic‘s singer/guitarist Paul Masvidal confirmed the news on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
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Masvidal took to social media to announce the shocking passing of his Cynic bandmate. Although Malone’s cause of death has not been made public, Masvidal encourages fans and friends to celebrate his life by listening to his music.
“I learned today that Sean Malone has died. I am numb and grief stricken. He had a brilliant mind, a gracious heart and was one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever encountered. I know that this is a shocking loss for so many fans whose lives he touched with his artistry, as it is for me. Please keep him in your thoughts and listen to his playing to celebrate his life.”
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Cynic also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Malone.
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According to Metal Hammer, Malone joined Cynic prior to the release of Focus, their 1993 album. Then, he rejoined the group when they decided to reunite in 2008 and release Traced In Air.
Throughout the years, Malone worked as a session bassist and even put out Cortlandt, a solo album. As well, he was the author of four books – Music Theory for Bassists, Dictionary of Bass Grooves, Rock Bass and A Portrait Of Jaco: The Solos Collection.
Malone’s sudden death is the latest tragedy to hit Cynic this year. Back in January, drummer Sean Reinert passed away at the age of 48. Malone’s passing leaves Masvidal as the only original member of Cynic left in the band. Reinert exited the metal group in 2015, prior to his death earlier this year. He was later replaced by Matt Lynch who is currently the only other member of Cynic at this time.
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Since the news of Malone’s passing this week, fellow musicians, friends and fans have paid tribute to the bassist online. Drummer Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, the Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater) and Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick are among the artists to tweet about Malone this week.
…and we last toured together in 2014 when he was playing Bass in John Wesley’s band opening for Flying Colors. This is just another shocking loss in 2020…sadly the same year we also lost Sean Reinert, his rhythm section partner in Cynic. #RIPSeanMalone ?
— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) December 10, 2020
Sad news, indeed. I’d only met #SeanMalone once or twice but respected him as a serious musician, underrated & with uncommon diversity. It’s unfortunate #Cynic is so overlooked, occupying a space that’s like a subgenre within subgenres (the prog/alt side of 90s death metal) RIP https://t.co/D3W88kyKgY
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) December 10, 2020
The passing Sean Reinert and now Sean Malone in the same year is hard to make sense of. Very cruel. pic.twitter.com/0vFsd2wnuc
— David Fonseca (@davefons) December 10, 2020
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What a heartbroken today…#seanmalone #RIP pic.twitter.com/qAzvLHxowK
— カタサム (@newoldworldorde) December 10, 2020
(2/2) We’ll cherish and celebrate Sean’s monster talents for certain, but we’ll also remember him as man of tremendous character. A man of great integrity with a deep intelligence, soft-spoken sincerity and profound loyalty to his family and friends.
Rest easy Sean.
— Season of Mist (@SeasonofMist) December 10, 2020
Absolutely heartbroken to hear of the loss of Sean Malone. His work with Cynic was such a massive influence on this band and his contributions to progressive music will be sealed in time forever. RIP? pic.twitter.com/TWxxuhm4y7
— Cryptodira (@Cryptodiraband) December 10, 2020
