In the five tracks that make up Absent In Body‘s debut record, Plague God, the band delivers music that is furiously spiritual. Its harshness is balanced by tranquil progressions that stir the mind – that lull listeners into a state where there is calm and storm. Made up of brilliant musicians, Absent In Body features Amenra’s Mathieu J. Vandekerckhove and Colin H. Van Eeckhout, Neurosis’ Scott Kelly, and ex-Sepultura’s Igor Cavelera.
Guitar and bass rhythms reek of an industrial tinge; each strum and note exuding a rusty tone that builds over time, accumulating into this rough, dark air. In contrast, while those lighter moments aren’t fluffy and sweet, they’re melancholic and radiant. These shades are two sides of the same coin, working with one another to exude a psychedelic heaviness. As one makes their way through Plague God, they may find the escalating noise and doom qualities overpowering, slowly immersing them into a fascinating and grim dreamscape.
Album opener “Rise from Ruins” begins in deep darkness; an ambient haze plays out as a steady drumbeat enters, the atmosphere overwhelming with ominous vibes. The guitars kick in – distortion riding off the rhythm – the vocals roaring outward, sounding harsh and violent. The track then drops into a minor period of static buzzing, all before shifting back into that initial rhythm. The escalating drum flow brings an added frenzy to the mix – which only continues to evolve in the following tracks. “In Spirit In Spite” shifts the aggressive direction of the previous cut into more oppressive waters; the vocals here have morphed, giving off a sound that is anything but human. The instrumentation continues at a menacing pace for some time before slowly transforming; the distortion and mechanical fuzz of the instrumentation remains, but the progression takes on a much more tranquil, meditative state. The minimalism allows room for a spoken word component, offering listeners the intimacy of some haunting poetry. These types of contrasting dualities are stunning, offering an essence that has the means to send chills down one’s spine.
Through their music, Absent In Body exude raw industrial doom and death. The booming heaviness and periods of minimalism psychically call to mind the existential feelings of sadness and loss many people are going through throughout the world. There is a remarkable emotional presence to this music; through intense droning, abrasive playing, lyrics, and grandiose atmosphere – Absent In Body provides music that transports the mind.
I hope this is only the start of what is to come with Absent In Body. Even if this is to be the only release they put out, Plague God is an extraordinary fusion of styles, backed by excellent songwriting and stellar performances. These musicians not only bring their years of experience to this project but combine those experiences to present something captivating. Plague God is a record that moves – through gripping intensity and grim stillness.
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