Veterans within the recreation, The Absence possess a decent and playful sound, accentuating tasteful melodeath licks, punchy riffs, and groovy, headbanging swagger. Nastier, blackened throes and spiteful fringe of early albums From Your Grave and Riders of the Plague have been buffed and smoothed over in later years. The accessible, streamlined strategy on The Absence retains most of the band’s signature traits and foundations, albeit in a much less pressing, edgier method in comparison with their earlier work. Regardless, The Absence excel in ripping by way of workman-like melodeath tunes with out resorting to gimmicks or compromising integrity with tacked-on parts to spice up accessibility. The extra streamlined materials nonetheless packs a feisty punch, and the riffs are persistently strong, backed by ear-catching melodic leads and technical thrives. Unique member Jamie Stewart’s blackened growls characteristic a extra weathered appeal, whereas the crisp although stripped-back manufacturing lends the songs a grittier, no-frills edge. Proper out the gate, The Absence rip out a trademark thrasher courtesy of full of life opener “Communion Carbonized,” launching the album into gear.
“The Silent Eye” suits the invoice nicely as a single and is a tidy option to entice newer listeners. Throughout almost six minutes, The Absence combine some beguiling central melodies and vocal hooks with thrashier surges and earworm hooks. There are equally robust cuts scattered throughout the album, such because the progressively leaning “Planetary Mortuary,” straight forward riff rager “Grieving Winds,” and lean, imply thrasher, “Fleshwalker.” The Absence not often hit peak kind, however by no means actually drop the ball both. Nearer “Breeding Hysterics” ensures shit ends with a bang quite than whimper, its chunky riffs, feisty thrust and retro really feel lend it a cool, old-school appeal. Exterior the highlights, nearly all of songs go away strong, if generally unremarkable impression, whereas a few songs come throughout a bit by the numbers. Quibbles apart, The Absence is a largely pleasant hear that continues the band’s lasting consistency. Guitarist Taylor Nordberg (additionally dealing with bass and keys) has been across the traps a very long time and livens the fabric with spicy axework, an array of headbangable riffs, throwback old-fashioned leads and elaborations. The technical and mildly progressive parts assist essential curiosity. In the meantime, skilled drummer Jeramie Kling (Inhuman Situation, Ex Deo) retains tempo with an aggressive, precision efficiency on the equipment.
As beforehand talked about, the manufacturing hits the spot. The clear, sharp tones offset by an uncluttered combine, dynamic grasp and natural, gritty tones, particularly the drums. Total, The Absence is a tidy entry into the band’s underappreciated catalog, regardless of feeling a bit of protected and fewer pressing than prior choices. Particularly, the frantic, blackened strategy of their first few albums are missed, and the songs don’t hit fairly as laborious as earlier album Coffinized. Regardless, The Absence is an endearing act that pump out persistently strong, thrash-infused melodeath tunes which are simple to love. The Absence will not be probably the most compelling promoting level or entry on this veteran Floridian band’s prolonged profession, nonetheless, it’s a strong batch of enjoyable and no-frills melodeath tunes.
Score: 3.0/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Listenable Insanity
Web sites: theabsenceofficial.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/theabsenceofficial
Releases Worldwide: March twenty ninth, 2024
