Sean Reinert (May 27, 1971 – January 24, 2020) was an American musician. He was the drummer for the rock band Æon Spoke and the drummer and founding member of the progressive metal band Cynic until leaving the band in September 2015. Reinert credited Kenny Clarke, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Gary Husband and Vinnie Colaiuta as being important influences during his formative years. Life In 1991, Reinert and Paul Masvidal (also of Cynic) joined the band Death to record the Human album. This album is seen by many as the start of the technical death metal genre. After touring with Death, he returned to Cynic. 1993 saw the release of Focus (regarded as a landmark release in the field of technical/progressive metal) on the Roadrunner Records label. Roadrunner re-released it in 2005 as a special collector's edition due to high demand. After Cynic's disbandment Reinert had been a member of the Cynic spin-off band Portal which released a demo but eventually disbanded. Having relocated to Los Angeles, Reinert continued working with music by writing and performing for television shows and motion pictures. In 1999, Reinert helped form Æon Spoke alongside Masvidal, which is described as an "ethereal rock" band. The band saw releases in 2004 and 2007, receiving national and satellite airplay, performing, hosting radio appearances, and even appearing on television show and motion picture soundtracks. During this time in 2006, it was announced that Cynic would reform for a tour which took place in the summer of 2007. The reformed lineup then recorded a follow-up to Focus entitled Traced in Air, which was released in 2008 and followed by more touring. In 2009, a new EP with Cynic was recorded scheduled for release in May 2010. As of May 2014, he publicly revealed his homosexuality along with fellow Cynic member Paul Masvidal. Reinert died on January 24, 2020, due to an aortic rupture. Legacy Many artists have cited Reinert as an influence, including Peter Wildoer of Darkane,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 18, 2017|quote=[...] The three most important death metal albums to me are Atheist Piece of time,' Death '''Human,' and, a bit later, Cynic Focus'. These three records changed me, fundamentally. [...] I guess the biggest impact on me ever was when I saw 'Lack of Comprehension' with Death on MTV's Headbangers Ball some weeks before the album was released. When the part came where you can see Sean Reinert – to