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The Absence: Enemy unbound

14/09/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

Melodeath as a dominating genre or force in the metal world might be as dead as Dom Deluise, but there are a few bands out there doing some decent stuff in style that has been almost completely deserted by the bands that established it. Dark Tranquiligay, Soilwork, Amorphis and In Flames are certainly still melo, but not death in the least. At the Gates continue to pop up at festivals now and again, but in terms of making music and furthering the genre, they are out of the game. Same goes for Carcass. Arch Enemy are still putting out some relatively decent albums, but nothing up to the caliber of “Wages of Sin”. Arsis still kick ass, but melody is just one of the many pieces that make up their unique sound. Florida’s The Absence are one of the few bands who are truly doing melodic death metal in a still relevant and enjoyable manner. I covered their debut From Your Grave a while back, and former staffer Hanging Limbs wrote a now-deleted review for their sophomore album “Riders of the Plague”. When we reviewed “Enemy Unbound” for Audio Autopsy last fall, I knew it was good shit. But, after a few good months of listening, I’m ready to give full review penetration.

Wartorn immediately pulled me in to “Enemy Unbound” and is probably the best tune The Absence has made yet, and that is definitely taking into account prime cuts from earlier records like “Heaven Ablaze”, “The Murder”, and “The victorious dead”. “Wartorn” highlights everything that makes The Absence a viable force in the shriveling world of melodeath; technical, impressive, and catchy guitar work combined with heavy but accessible song structures. The Absence definitely look beyond Gothenburgfor influences and it is clear that guitar-driven thrash bands like Testament and Death Angel were listened to early and often by Ze Absence. Anyway, “Wartorn” maintains an excellent mid-paced groove along with impressive dual-lead guitars courtesy of Peter Joseph and Patrick Pintaville. Just when you think The Absence are settling into melodeath mediocrity those two jump in like Superman to a burning building and deliver some sweet licks to save the day. Justin Reynold’s drumming is solid but not spectacular; lots of double bass, d-beat thrashing, and some better-than-decent groove prove the dude is capable if not innovative or original. Jamie Stewart’s vocals never go clean and that is a big reason why The Absence can still be referred to as a form of death metal. He sounds a bit like “Sound of Perseverance” Chuck, but a bit deeper.

“Deepest wound”, the up-tempo “Erased”, “Hidden in white”, and the album’s title track are all strong cuts too. The level of quality on “Enemy Unbound” is consistently high, but a lack of any innovation or progression holds The Absence back just a bit. The guitar work is excellent and the tunes are enjoyable. Maybe some more variation between fast and slow? Most of the songs on here are mid-paced and some more variety could be a bonus. Still, this is a highly enjoyable record and shows that The Absence, though sheer weight of talent and dedication to style, are able to succeed in a genre that has become a victim of its own mainstream (for metal that is) success. Melodeath might be a sinking ship, but The Absence will stay around for a while delivering catchy, guitar-driven melodic death metal as long as they fucken want.

7,5

Information
Released: 2010
Label: Metal Blade
Website: The Absence MySpace
Band
Jamie Stewart: vocals
Peter Joseph: guitars
Patrick Pintavalle: guitars
Michael Leon: bass
Justin Reynolds: drums

* Tracklist

01. Vertigo
02. Erased
03. Deepest Wound
04. Maelstrom
05. Enemy Unbound
06. Solace
07. The Bridge
08. Wartorn
09. Hidden in White
10. Vengeance and Victory
11. Triumph

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