Cynical Theory

With their unique, dynamic blend of metal and alternative rock, the guys of Cynical Theory are rapidly turning heads toward, of all places, southeastern Oklahoma. “I think it would be different if we were from a bigger city,” says singer and co-songwriter Cory Kuykendall (PICTURED LEFT). “Maybe someplace you’d expect, like Chicago, Dallas, or even Tulsa or Oklahoma City. But we‘re not, we‘re from McAlester and Haileyville, OK, and in a way I think we’re sort of proud of that.” The powerhouse is comprised of vocalist Cory Kuykendall, guitarist Greyson Dollins, who also makes up the other half of the songwriting team, bassist Cory Ford, and drummer Josh Duff. Regardless of where they hail from, there is no denying the fact that the band is starting to gain some positive attention from listeners and colleagues alike, worldwide. From the driving rhythms and commanding guitar work of songs like Away From You and What It’s Like, to the raw, emotion-filled confessionals of Feel You Nothing and When You Fall, it seems there is nothing these guys haven’t covered. Even those who don’t care for hard rock can find comfort in the stripped down and unplugged closer for the album, Sunday. Kuykendall admits, “I didn’t even think Sunday was going to make the album. But a few of our close friends were hanging out in the studio and heard it, and the popular consensus was that we should add it, so we did. I think it’s a good thing, though, because that song really represents a big part of me, musically.” With the band’s collective influences ranging from Motley Crue and Slipknot to bands like Flaw and Cold, the finished product somehow manages to incorporate all these styles into what the guys have coined “Nu-Rock.”