Third release from the unheralded Tampa area band, once again produced by Eric Rutan (Hate Eternal), but featuring a guest spot from Evergrey frontman/guitarist Tom Englund. Despite their locale, these guys have more in common with Gothenburg’s musical lineage than Tampa’s: heavy on the widdly, string bending processions, with gruff throated (albeit enunciated) vocals. Yes Virginia, melodic death metal still exists and in the hands of The Absence is quite enjoyable. The short, opening and closing guitar instrumentals are quite tuneful, but in between it’s pedal to the metal.

Probably a few years too late, but alongside labelmates Negligence, good to see Metal Blade signing honest to goodness metal, instead of emo/metalcore or young screamo/death acts.