From the left:

Name: Sean Malone
Race: Half-God
Class: Scholar
Weapon: Music Theory Book
Power: Mind (knowledge)
Role: Support
Modifer: +Intelligence
Perks: Introversive, Kind
Description: Probably the most theoretically advanced composer ever emerged in metal scene.

Name: Paul Masvidal
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Mystic
Weapon: Soulstone
Power: Soul (spirituality)
Role: Caster
Modifer: +Faith
Perks: Enlightened, Calm
Description: Probably the most spiritualy enlightened guitarist and lyricist in heavy music.

Name: Sean Reinert
Race: Half-Dryad
Class: Druid
Weapon: Drum and Sticks
Power: Heart (pulse)
Role: Support
Modifer: +Agility
Perks: Laid Back, Humble
Description: Probably the most influental drummer for the entire prog metal genre.





This started as a fun weekly challenge but unexpectedly turned into a time consuming tribute to the two of my greatest musical heroes, Sean Malone and Sean Reinert, who both sadly passed in 2020 (Reinert in january and Malone in december).

Sean Malone was a university professor of Music Theory. He was an author of academic papers and conference presentations along with bass course books. He was a multiinstrumentalist, fretless bass and Chapman Stick virtuoso, and session player on over 50 records. In his compositions he combined elements of classical music, jazz, metal, ambient, latin and traditional indian music, and many other genres. His opus magnum - two Gordian Knot albums of instrumental music which escapes any genre classifications are incomprehensible masterpieces and endless journey to esthetical and intelectual enjoyment.

Sean Reinert was a "game changer". His groundbreaking debiut performance on Death "Human" 1991, inspired not only the entire following generations of drummers, but also those, who were much more experienced and already established as greats. He was only 19 years old at that time. His jazz fussion approach to composing and playing opened metal drumming to completely new grounds and changed it forever.

Together they were probably the best rythym section in heavy progressive music, even if neither of them would identify themselves as "metal musicians", becasue they both started their musical journey form classical and jazz direction and later found they are also comfortable in progressive metal, and secured their positions as masters. Their connection started on Cynic "Focus" album 1993 and since then they continuously worked together on music, which includes Gordian Knot or Aghora.

Together with Paul Masvidal they were a returning core of Cynic, a band that precursored incorporating jazz fusion elements into progressive/technical metal (alongside with Atheist and Pestilence). Masvidal since young age became invested (besides guitar) into Buddhist philosophy, practicing yoga and meditation, spirituality and esotheric ideas, which contributed into his deep philosophical lyrics and composing on all Cynic albums, and all his other work, which included music for television shows, movies and children albums. He is a vegetarian for over 30 years.



 

This image was made with my favorite palette Equpix15 by Night.