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The Absence From Your Grave [CD] By: Black Angel |
Metal Blade Records has signed the missing link. The band goes by the name of The Absence. The band's first effort is entitled "From Your Grave". In no way is this your typical Death Metal. For starters, the guitar players in this band know how to play! You ain't gonna find any of that chug, chug sound or the half-assed, sloppy leads either. The lead-breaks found within are plentiful, smart and remind me of the guys in Iron Maiden. Not to limit themselves to just lead-breaks, these guys are riff, hook and melody line monsters; every note is calculated and placed where it will have the most impact. I wish every new band on the scene had this kind of finesse but I doubt that'll ever happen though. Too many labels are signing brutal bands because they sell, not because they sound good. The Absence is a completely different monster, not only are they skilled, but their sound is aggressive by today's standards. Think of what it would sound like if you put "The Haunted", "In Flames" and "3 Inches Of Blood" all in the same pot and brought it to a boiling simmer.
"From Your Grave" is packed with ten tracks that'll leave you dumbfounded, breathless and seeking to hear more of the band's music. "Intro" and "A Breath Beneath" start the cd off, with blistering guitar riffs and leads. At first I thought it was going to be an instrumental cd, then the Thrashing back-beats and fierce vocals kicked in and shredded my senses. The production and sound quality of the entire cd is awesome, but it shines out here the most. The mix of the album is also very warm and tight, nothing is loose, raw or sloppy. "Necropolis" is another astonishing tune that carries the metallic onslaught to even bigger heights with an unrestrained rhythm section led by turbulent vocals. Title track, "From Your Grave" is the back breaker off the album. The vocals scream with malice, the guitars riffs explode with melody while the back-beat delivers a sickening blow to the cranium. "This makes baby Jesus very happy!" Another miraculous thing about this cd is that there is a song for every season of emotion, whether it's the bitterness of "Heaven Ablaze" or the barbaric sounds of "Seven Demons" even the magical moments of spiritual healing are captured in the instrumental "Shattered" - you'll find it all in here. The Absence has created the perfect Metal cd, from top to bottom. I am still in shock over how badass it is. I look for "From Your Grave" to be one of the top sellers for Metal Blade Records this year and I am also chomping at the bit to see them rip shit up live! You've all gotta feel this record!!!! |
| c.2004-2005 Black Angel Promotions | |