Cynic and Drummer Matt Lynch Split After Nine Years; Gorguts’ Michel Bélanger Fills In for Maryland Deathfest
Prog-metal trailblazers Cynic have announced the departure of drummer Matt Lynch, closing a nearly decade-long chapter that saw the band through a turbulent era of loss and rebirth.
“After a meaningful chapter together, we’ve decided to part ways with Matt Lynch,” Cynic wrote in a statement posted to social media. “We’re thankful for the time and music shared and wish Matt all the best as he moves ahead.”
Lynch, who joined the band in 2015, played on Cynic’s 2021 comeback album Ascension Codes, as well as the 2018 single “Humanoid.” He was a key component of Cynic’s post-hiatus rhythm section following the tragic loss of founding members Sean Reinert and Sean Malone in 2020.
Bélanger Steps In for “Focus” Performance
At Maryland Deathfest on May 24, Cynic treated fans to a full performance of their 1993 landmark debut Focus, with Michel Bélanger of Gorguts stepping in on drums. Bélanger’s technical finesse and extreme metal pedigree made him a fitting stand-in for what remains one of the most revered progressive metal records of all time.
Remembering Reinert and Malone
Lynch’s departure arrives just a year after Cynic’s emotionally resonant Focus 30th Anniversary Tour, a tribute to Reinert and Malone, both of whom died unexpectedly in 2020. Reinert, a co-founding member, left an indelible mark on the genre with his jazz-fusion approach to death metal drumming — most notably on Focus and Death’s Human. Malone, a gifted fretless bassist and theorist, completed the rhythmic core that made Cynic’s sound so unique.
Together, they pushed the boundaries of metal into the realms of philosophy, fusion, and cosmic exploration — a legacy that continues to guide Cynic forward.
As for what’s next, Cynic has not yet confirmed whether Bélanger will join in a permanent capacity or if future dates will feature another drummer.
