// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Sean Reinert a drummer? He's always reinforcing the beat.
Sean Reinert | |
|---|---|
Reinert in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Sean Landon Reinert May 27, 1971 Florida, U.S. |
| Died | January 24, 2020 (aged 48) |
| Cause of death | Aortic rupture |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Drummer |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 1987–2020 |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Cynic, Æon Spoke, Death, Gordian Knot, Aghora, Perfect Beings |
Spouse | Thomas Snyder |
| Website | seanreinert |
Sean Landon Reinert (May 27, 1971 – January 24, 2020) was an American musician.[1] He was the drummer for the rock band Æon Spoke, the drummer for Death metal band Death[2] and the drummer and cofounder of the progressive metal band Cynic along with Paul Masvidal until leaving the band in September 2015.[3] He was also a member of projects such as Gordian Knot, Aghora, and Perfect Beings.
Early life and education
[edit]Sean Reinert was born on May 27, 1971, in Florida.[4] In his early years, he studied piano and French horn before switching to drums.[5] In 1984, he met guitarist Paul Masvidal at Gulliver Academy in Miami, with whom he formed early school bands such as Crypha and Seaweed.[6][7]
At age fifteen, he enrolled at the New World School of the Arts, where he studied piano, sight-singing, ear training, and music theory.[4][5] He subsequently attended Miami-Dade Community College and earned a bachelor's degree in Music Composition and Theory from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where he studied under percussionist Harry Hawthorne.[5][8] He later studied orchestration with Steven Scott Smalley in Los Angeles.[4]
Career
[edit]Cynic and initial breakup (1987–1994)
[edit]Cynic was founded in November 1987 by Reinert and Masvidal.[9] Between 1988 and 1991, they recorded four demo tapes: '88 Demo (1988), Reflections of a Dying World (1989), '90 Demo (1990), and Demo 1991 (1991).[10] This material was later released in 2017 on the compilation album Uroboric Forms: The Complete Demo Recordings.[11]
In 1991, Chuck Schuldiner recruited Reinert and Masvidal to join Death for their fourth studio album.[2] Reinert took part in recording sessions at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, alongside bassist Steve Di Giorgio and producer Scott Burns. The album, titled Human, was released in October 1991.[12] Reinert participated in the subsequent European tour between late 1991 and early 1992. During this tour, financial disputes led to a promoter withholding the band's equipment in the United Kingdom for six months. Following the tour's conclusion, Reinert and Masvidal decided to leave Death to focus exclusively on Cynic.[2][13]
After signing with Roadrunner Records, Cynic consisted of Reinert, Masvidal, guitarist Jason Gobel, bassist Sean Malone, and vocalist Tony Teegarden. The recording of their debut album was delayed due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, which destroyed their rehearsal space and Gobel's home.[14][15] The album, Focus, was released on September 14, 1993. The band disbanded in the fall of 1994 following a performance at the Dynamo Open Air festival.[15][16]
Side projects (1995–2006)
[edit]Following the dissolution of Cynic, Reinert, Masvidal, and Gobel formed the band Portal with Aruna Abrams, recording a demo in 1995 (released in 2012 as The Portal Tapes under the Cynic name).[16] Reinert relocated to California, where he worked as a session musician and composed for television shows and films.[1]
In 1996, he performed on Sean Malone's solo album, Cortlandt.[17] Between 1999 and 2003, he was a member of the instrumental project Gordian Knot alongside Malone, playing on the albums Gordian Knot (1999)[18] and Emergent (2003).[19] He also played on progressive metal band Aghora's self-titled debut album (1999)[20] and their subsequent release Formless (2006).[21] In 1999, he and Masvidal founded the alternative rock band Æon Spoke, releasing two albums: Above the Buried Cry (2005)[22] and Æon Spoke (2007).[23]
Return to Cynic and legal dispute (2006–2020)
[edit]In 2006, Cynic reunited and embarked on a European tour in 2007.[24][25] In November 2008, they released the album Traced in Air, followed by the EPs Re-Traced (2010) and Carbon-Based Anatomy (2011), and the full-length album Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014).[10]
In September 2015, Reinert announced the breakup of Cynic due to artistic and personal differences, leading to a legal dispute with Masvidal over the rights to the band's name.[26][27][28] In December 2017, both parties reached a settlement in which Reinert gave full control of the band's name to Masvidal and confirmed his definitive departure.[27][29] He subsequently joined the progressive rock band Perfect Beings.[30]
Personal life and death
[edit]In May 2014, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Reinert and Paul Masvidal publicly came out as gay.[31] Reinert was married to Thomas Snyder.[32]
On January 24, 2020, Reinert was found unresponsive by Snyder at their home in San Bernardino, California. After resuscitation attempts, he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 48.[32] His cause of death was an aortic rupture.[33] His wish to be an organ donor was denied under regulations of the FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in effect at the time, which restricted donations from sexually active gay men within the previous year.[34]
Legacy and influences
[edit]Reinert cited John Bonham, Neil Peart, Alex Van Halen, Terry Bozzio, and Dave Weckl as his primary influences.[5]
Numerous musicians have cited Reinert as an influence, including Peter Wildoer of Darkane,[35][36] Brann Dailor of Mastodon,[37] Gene Hoglan,[38] Richard Christy,[39] Dirk Verbeuren of Soilwork and Megadeth,[40] Chris Pennie of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Coheed and Cambria,[41] George Kollias of Nile,[42] John Merryman of Cephalic Carnage,[43] Daniel Moilanen of Katatonia,[44] Elliot Hoffman of Car Bomb,[45] Evan Sammons of Last Chance to Reason,[46] and Mario Duplantier of Gojira.[47]
Additionally, other artists have expressed admiration for his playing, including Mike Portnoy,[48] Hannes Grossmann,[49] Dan Presland of Ne Obliviscaris,[50] Danny Walker of Intronaut,[51] and Paul Mazurkiewicz of Cannibal Corpse.[52]
Discography
[edit]
- Cynic
- 1988 demo (1988)
- Reflections of a Dying World demo (1989)
- 1990 demo (1990)
- 1991 demo (1991)
- Focus (1993)
- Traced in Air (2008)
- Re-Traced (2010)
- Carbon-Based Anatomy (2011)
- The Portal Tapes (2012)
- Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014)
- Other
- Death − Human (1991)
- Sean Malone − Cortlandt (1996)
- Gordian Knot − Gordian Knot (1999)
- Gordian Knot − Emergent (2003)
- Aghora − Aghora (2000)
- Aghora − Formless (2006)
- Æon Spoke − Above the Buried Cry (2004)
- Æon Spoke − Æon Spoke (2007)
- Anomaly – Anomaly (1998)[53]
- C-187 − Collision (2007)
- Levi/Werstler – Avalanche of Worms (2010)
- Sylencer – A Lethal Dose of Truth (2012) (guest drummer on "Acquiesce")[54]
- Gruesome – Fragments of Psyche (2017) (guest drummer on title track)[55]
- Hassan Iqbal – Of the Sky (2020)[56]
- Amahiru – Amahiru (2020) (guest drummer on "Bringing Me Down (Alternative Version)")[57]
- Eggshell Repair Kit – Untitled (2020)[58][59]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Former DEATH And CYNIC Drummer SEAN REINERT Dead At 48". Blabbermouth.net. January 25, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Shteamer, Hank (January 26, 2020). "'One Foot in and One Foot Out': Remembering Death-Metal Drum Trailblazer Sean Reinert". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Cynic Taps Drummer Matt Lynch For Euroblast Appearance". Blabbermouth.net. September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "SEAN REINERT: Metal Drumming Master". Outburn. February 3, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Sean Reinert". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Pfeffer, Ryan (August 18, 2023). "Paul Masvidal of Cynic Talks About Band's Queer Origins". Miami New Times. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ László, Dávid. ""It was four friends messing around" – Rattle Inc" (in Hungarian). Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Harry Hawthorne: Admired Percussion Faculty and Ensemble Librarian". Frost School of Music News. University of Miami. May 12, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Norris, Brad (1990). "Cynic". Press of Darkness. No. 1. Owingsville, Kentucky. p. 16. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "CYNIC". Progarchives.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ Kennelty, Greg (February 27, 2023). "CYNIC Streams Compilation Of Demos From The Late '80s & Early '90s". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "DEATH's 'Human' Album Reissue: Complete Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. May 23, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Grayson, Perry (April 2002). "Precious Memories Of Chuck Schuldiner". Empty Words. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Wagner, Jeff (2010). Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. Bazillion Points. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-9796163-3-4.
- 1 2 Cali Death Podcast (March 24, 2023). "Episode 122 - Jason Gobel (Cynic)" (Podcast). Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- 1 2 "Interview with Paul Masvidal - Mirgilus Siculorum". www.emptywords.org. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
- ↑ "SEAN MALONE - Cortlandt (1996)". Progarchives.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "GORDIAN KNOT - Gordian Knot (1998)". Progarchives.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "GORDIAN KNOT - Emergent (2002)". Progarchives.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "AGHORA - Aghora (1999)". Progarchives.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "AGHORA - Formless (2006)". Progarchives.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Aeon Spoke: Above the Buried Cry Tracks & Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Aeon Spoke: Aeon Spoke Tracks & Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "CYNIC "Las cosas nunca estuvieron tan favorables como lo están ahora en el 2006"". The Metal Circus (in Spanish). December 23, 2006. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "CYNIC To Reunite For Reunion Tour!". Metal Reviews. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ Blabbermouth (September 10, 2015). "CYNIC 'Will Continue One Way Or Another,' Says PAUL MASVIDAL". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- 1 2 "Cynic To Continue Without Drummer Sean Reinert". Blabbermouth.net. December 11, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Sean Reinert on Cynic Break-Up: Paul Masvidal Can't Legally Continue Playing Under Band Name". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ LugalKiEn (December 11, 2017). "Drummer Sean Reinert Exits Cynic - Settlement Over Use Of Band Name Reached". Metal Underground. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ DiVita, Joe (May 26, 2017). "Former Cynic Drummer Sean Reinert Joins Perfect Beings, Prog Band Plots 2018 Album Release". Loudwire. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Brown, August (May 8, 2014). "Cynic's Paul Masvidal, Sean Reinert are out and ready to be loud". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "SEAN REINERT's Husband Comments On Drummer's Passing: 'I'm Still In A State Of Disbelief'". Blabbermouth.net. January 26, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Blabbermouth (April 19, 2022). "CYNIC's PAUL MASVIDAL Says There Was 'Anger' And 'Grief' Over SEAN MALONE's Death". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ Trapp, Philip (February 11, 2020). "Late Cynic Drummer Sean Reinert's Organ Donor Request Denied Over Sexual Orientation". Loudwire. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Bender, Frank (March 22, 2009). "Peter Wildoer – Exclusive Interview". OnlineDrummer.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ↑ SDM (September 12, 2007). "Peter Wildoer". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ Dunn, Sam (March 28, 2017). MASTODON's Brann Dailor on his prog influences | Raw & Uncut. bangertv.com. Atlanta, Georgia: Banger Films. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ↑ Lee, Cosmo (November 19, 2010). "Interview: Gene Hoglan". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ↑ Kluitman, Kees (November 2002). ""T-Back" and the Zappa-effect". Empty Words. Archived from the original on December 20, 2002. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ↑ Blabbermouth (January 26, 2020). "MEGADETH's DIRK VERBEUREN Pays Tribute To SEAN REINERT: 'The World Lost A True Legend And A Beautiful Soul'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Chris Pennie". Sick Drummer Magazine. August 30, 2006. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ↑ SDM (August 28, 2006). "George Kollias - Nile - Sick Drummer Magazine Interview". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ SDM (September 9, 2007). "John Merryman". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "WRITTEN INTERVIEW: DANIEL MOILANEN (Katatonia)". That Drummer Guy. June 6, 2016. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ↑ SDM (October 1, 2006). "Elliot Hoffman". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ SDM (November 9, 2010). "Evan Sammons". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "The Downbeat Podcast - Mario Duplantier (GOJIRA)". March 3, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ Blabbermouth (January 26, 2020). "MIKE PORTNOY Pays Tribute To SEAN REINERT: 'He Was An Outstanding Drummer And A Really Nice Guy'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ SDM (July 29, 2007). "Hannes Grossmann". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ SDM (June 16, 2009). "Dan Presland". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ Borders, Denise. "Top 10 Drummers: Intronaut - PunkWorldViews.com | Punk/Metal/Hardcore Coverage". PunkWorldViews.com. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
- ↑ "June 2025 Round Table With Tomas Haake, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Mike Heller, and Chris Kontos". Sick Drummer Magazine. June 21, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "ANOMALY – Anomaly (1998)". Progarchives.com. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ↑ "Sylencer". Sylencer.bandcamp.com. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Kennelty, Greg (February 15, 2017). "GRUESOME's New Song "Fragments Of Psyche" Features Ex-DEATH/CYNIC Drummer Sean Reinert". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Of the Sky, by Hassan Iqbal". Hassan Iqbal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ↑ "KREATOR/Ex-DRAGONFORCE Bassist FRÉDÉRIC LECLERCQ Releases 'Hours' Music Video From AMAHIRU Project". Blabbermouth. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ↑ Eggshell Repair Kit - Untitled, September 12, 2020, retrieved September 21, 2026
- ↑ Injection, Metal (September 29, 2020). "Listen: Track from Sean Reinert's Fusion Project with Former CYNIC Members, ERK, Surfaces". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
External links
[edit]- 1971 births
- 2020 deaths
- Death (metal band) members
- American heavy metal drummers
- American gay musicians
- LGBTQ people from Florida
- Gay songwriters
- 20th-century American drummers
- American male drummers
- American LGBTQ songwriters
- Æon Spoke members
- Aghora (band) members
- Cynic (band) members
- 21st-century American drummers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American male musicians
- 20th-century American LGBTQ people
- 21st-century American LGBTQ people
- Gordian Knot (band) members
- Drummers from Florida