Conversation so far:
What was there musical style?
Cynic's first recordings feature a more punk, thrash and hardcore sound, but in the 1990s their sound changed.
What did their sound change to?
a highly complex, experimental and extremely technical form of progressive metal, while still retaining their death metal roots.
Did they change their sound any more?
Many influences from jazz and jazz-rock fusion can be heard on their debut album Focus.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Cynic's 2008 album Traced in Air melded together the styles and influences heard on 1993's Focus with the more progressive-oriented Portal approach.
What is a Portal approach?
The offshoot Portal later released a demo recording that continues even further in the direction of progressive space rock, refining and softening up their sound.
Anything else interesting?
"Cynic should be understood not so much alongside any metal bands but along with the radical harmonic progressives in the last 45 years of pop and jazz.
Musically, what was there most diverse album?
Cynic's 2008 album Traced in Air melded together the styles and influences heard on 1993's Focus with the more progressive-oriented Portal.

Question: Who were some of their musical influences?
Self-contained rewrite: Who were some of Cynic's musical influences?