EXIVIOUS/CYNIC Robin Zielhorst Appreciation Thread

polydeathsphere · #1 07-24-2009, 11:11 AM

Seriously, I couldn't find any thread about the band Exivious. Their bassist is Robin Zielhorst (plays for CYNIC now) and he uses a 5 string fretless Carvin, with mostly improvised bass parts that are really kick ass. killer fretless work in a predominantly non jazz setting (although there are heavy jazz fusion influences in the music). Seriously check em out. Crazy drum and guitar work as well from member of Tymon (guitar in cynic) and Stef Broks (drums in Textures). DO IT

myspace.com/exivious

jollygiantchris · #2 07-24-2009, 11:46 AM

I had never heard of Cynic when I saw them open for Meshuggah this past year and I gotta say they blew me away. What a great band and that guy is a BEAST on bass live.

***Correction I saw them open for Meshuggah. God I only went to 2 concerts this year and I can't keep who was on what bill straight *_*

BassOrdinaire · #3 07-24-2009, 02:07 PM

Just started listening to these guys earlier today.

Great stuff. Robin is an excellent player.

RobinZielhorst · #4 08-09-2009, 05:07 AM

Thanks for those kind words, guys, I'm glad you like it!!!
In fact, we now have our whole Exivious album streaming on our site, so you can check it out of you want. It's on www.exivious.net or our myspcae.com/exivious
Cheers,
Robin.

BassOrdinaire · #5 09-13-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinZielhorst

Thanks for those kind words, guys, I'm glad you like it!!!
In fact, we now have our whole Exivious album streaming on our site, so you can check it out of you want. It's on www.exivious.net or our myspcae.com/exivious
Cheers,
Robin.

Awesome! Love your bass sound. Nice, punchy, and round. Compliments the rest of the band fantastically.

I encourage the rest of you guys to check out Cynic and Exivious.

punch5 · #6 06-04-2010, 02:08 PM

Amazing songs. Perfect blend of jazz & metal. Wish there were more bands playing this style. Can't stop listening!!

Robin's bass tone is incredible. I never thought a fretless would work in metal, but I'm re-thinking that one!

Now if they would just change their minds about this whole "Exivious is no more" nonsense...

RobinZielhorst · #7 10-02-2010, 04:37 PM

Thanks! I'm pretty sure my tone has gotten a lot better, though, with my new Eden pre amp and new bass, check her out:

What do you guys think?

brassaflax · #8 10-02-2010, 04:43 PM

I saw Cynic at the house of blues in Chicago back in January, they played really well but got mixed badly and only could play for 30 minutes. It was great none the less.

christoph h. · #9 10-03-2010, 04:37 AM

That bass looks great! Who's the luthier?

Evanseveneleven · #10 10-03-2010, 06:11 AM

Had the pleasure of playing in the opening band for Cynic on their Australian tour early this year, and I must say that on top of being phenomenal players and great writers, they are also the most excellent dudes you will ever meet. They really went out of their way to be accessible to their fans and also enjoyed themselves as much as they could in their limited "off" time between shows. So many touring bands just sleep in their hotels, go to soundcheck, get something to eat, play the show, sleep, travel ect.
What else is amazing is the vibe that they create for themselves no matter who else is on the bill. On one show they played between Ensiferum and Dark Funeral (folk metal and black metal) and for the rest it was Black Majesty and Edguy (power metal) and it didn't matter a bit who they were on with. They just create their own space and take those willing to be enlightened there with them.
Oh, and of course Robin's bass playing makes me want to cry.

RobinZielhorst · #11 10-03-2010, 12:35 PM

I hope it's happy tears!

The luthier of my bass is Randy Fullmer, of Wyn guitars. You can check them out on wynguitars.com, they're amazing basses, and Randy is an superdude.

Midfour · #12 10-03-2010, 02:11 PM

He's very good, but (cynic's bassist on Focus and Traced in Air) Sean Malone is even better. I don't mean to derail the thread, but listen to "Textures" or "The Eagle Nature" and you'll see what I mean.

RobinZielhorst · #13 10-03-2010, 03:31 PM

I agree.. Not necessarily because of those songs, since I've been playing those songs a lot, but also based on his solo stuff. Sean Malone's an amazing bass player and has become a big influence on my playing over the years.

rulyøngo · #14 10-04-2010, 10:33 AM

The ep: "RE-TRACED" is very good, it hasn't left my cd player in a long time... Very good playing Robin!!! Can't wait to hear new recordings with you.

RobinZielhorst · #15 10-05-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rulyøngo

The ep: "RE-TRACED" is very good, it hasn't left my cd player in a long time... Very good playing Robin!!! Can't wait to hear new recordings with you.

Thanks! It's cool to read that a lot of people are curious to hear the Exivious influence of both Tymon and me in the new Cynic.. We'll see where that road leads us..

Toffa · #16 10-05-2010, 06:42 PM

I also like Exivious a lot! I like it even more than Cynic to be honest

When it comes to Sean Malone, I'm more the Gordion Knot kind of guy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punch5

Amazing songs. Perfect blend of jazz & metal. Wish there were more bands playing this style. Can't stop listening!!

Well maybe you'll like this but it's mainly done on my piccolo bass/baritone guitar and not quite as techy... okay... it's a whole different approach!

RobinZielhorst · #17 10-17-2010, 10:52 PM

Our Exivious debut album is finally available through digital distribution. It's already up on iTunes and will soon be available through all major online music stores.

Sorry for the shameless promotion but I know there's some people here who like the band. And being an unsigned band we're responsible for all promotion

Enjoy!

Gawd · #18 10-17-2010, 11:07 PM

I'm a huge fan of Exivious and Cynic. I was able to meet you and Tymon briefly at the Toronto show of the BTBAM tour and I was surprised at how kind and approachable you guys were. The show blew me away. I was really bummed that I had to miss the Re-Traced show with Intronaut on the bill, I'm sure it was an amazing show.

alariv8 · #19 11-16-2010, 04:36 PM

Robin, you're a huge influence for me! You and Lars Norberg from Spiral Architect are my 2 favourite bass players and Exivious is my favourite band at the moment, that's for sure!

I wonder - have You ever tried Gary Willis techniques on the bass? It's a funny question but I tried to develop this technique too. I have a small injury on my wrist and the distance between the strings of my Spector Euro 5 LX isn't the shortest too, maybe

- but when I try increase the tempo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md8FC...eature=related 9:13 for example, I get aches in my wrist. I have to move my wrist a bit too, but yeah, it's quite difficult.

Have you/are you gonna try it or do you have an alternative for this technique (quick dampening) ? When I spoke to Alex Webster (a live in Estonia) - even he said that it's a too complicated stuff for him - but he plays death metal

I try to think and "feel" outside the box...I'm not a full-time musician, but I still have my goals..

What would You suggest?

Thanks,

Alari from Estonia

www.myspace.com/childofbass
Paean
www.myspace.com/paeanestonia

dieterdiettrich · #20 04-05-2011, 05:54 PM

Mr. Zielhorst is definately one of my favorite bassists. He is a heavy influence on my playing these days, and his fusion of Jazz Improv and Prog Metal is absolutely stunning, along with the performance of the rest of Exivious. New favorite band.