The Absence – The Absence Album Review: “…they haven’t released an album as solid as this new self-titled one in a long time.”
I feel like I’ve grown up with The Absence. They’re modern Tampa death metal heroes, and they were one of the first extreme metal bands I discovered when I was a teenager. Since then, I followed them through every album and lineup change.
While I will say The Absence never released a bad album, they haven’t released an album as solid as this new self-titled one in a long time. While The Absence doesn’t stray away from their classic sound, this album stands out with all the new influences the band introduced. Taylor Nordberg is also one of the best guitar players in the Tampa scene, and he takes this album to new heights.
A song like “Vagrant Death” is reminiscent of classic Absence material. The intro riffs sound like something I would hear from the Riders of the Plague album, and it doesn’t take long for Jamie Stewart’s distinguishable vocals to ring in. But Nordberg’s guitar playing takes this song up a notch. While the guitars aren’t excessive, the melodic guitar accents make this song memorable. The guitars in the chorus are some of the catchiest on the entire album, and this song easily gets stuck in your head on first listen.
The next song, “Planetary Mortuary,” is another stand-out track. The intro riffs give off serious Dark Tranquility vibes, and I can tell The Absence tapped deep into the Swedish death metal catalog. After the intro riffs, The Absence’s heavy sound pounds into the song. Drummer Jeramie Kling stands out in this track; his galloping drums give this song an extra push. Nordberg also stands out, who unleashes one of the best solos on this album in this track.
After a brief instrumental interlude, The Absence takes the heaviness up a notch with “Grieving Winds.” Rather than melodic and catchy riffs, Nordberg mixes things up with harsh-sounding riffs. But things don’t stay monotonous forever—towards the middle of the song, the song takes a melodious tune that screams A Canorous Quintet. The guitars become even more intricate, as Nordberg uncages a solo that’s both technical and melodic.
The Absence’s new self-titled album has everything. They keep their core heavy and melodic sound with intricate guitars. Every member put their 100% into this album, and it stands out as one of the best new Absence albums in a long time.
Rating: 9.5/10
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