Describing a comeback album as a "fitting tribute to fallen friends" would raise expectations from fans whatever band it came from; that said fallen friends are Sean Malone and Sean Reinert only makes the job harder. Undeniably musicians of fantastic skill and definitely a vital part of Cynic since its birth, some would question what Paul Masvidal is even thinking in continuing the project. Yet it's clearly a labour of love and respect for his fallen comrades, and replacement members Matt Lynch (drums), Plini (guitars), and Dave McKay (bass synth and keyboards) are accordingly skilled if falling short of the impossible heights set. A bigger issue for most, having actually given Ascension Codes a listen, will be the songwriting; far from the best the band have ever done! Although it works as a cohesive, album-long listen, the decision to begin and end nearly every actual song here with (thankfully brief) instrumental bits of ambience doesn't help that vibe, neither does opening the album with The Winged Ones, one of the most blissed-out and New Age-y feeling pieces present that's largely instrumental itself. It's saved thanks to the clever hooks worked in and the nicely technical rhythm section carrying a lot of the weight, but on initial listens it doesn't suggest great things. Those who disliked Kindly Bent to Free Us for watering down the already post-death metal sound that Cynic have will be especially unconvinced...!

Fortunately, by the time you reach track no 6, Mythical Serpents, and hear what sounds almost like a choked snarl with something resembling death metal riffing, things improve considerably. Although it's still a long way from the days of Focus, Mythical Serpents has genuine atmospheric impact and there are even backing growls layered in faintly behind Masvidal's usual vocodering. And the other songs have a classy artistry to them that makes, say, 6th Dimensional Archetype overcome its feeling of being a little on the short side. The interludes aside there are no truly bad pieces present except for DNA Activation Template, relying too much on spoken word over ambience for its full five minute plus running time. Not for the first time you'll wonder what a cut-down, fat-free version of Ascension Codes looks like, with the actual (eight) songs allowed to stand on their own merits. And there's nothing as truly transcendental as past albums have accomplished, making this easily the weakest album yet from the band. That the best moments here are as good as they are speaks volumes as to Masvidal's skill, even with the loss of Seans Reinert and Malone, and it's possible to see a future to Cynic based on the material here. It will always be tinged with sadness, however.