The Absence is a melodic Death Metal band from Tampa, FL. They’re a traditional five-piece, with two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer, and a singer. The Music, while being melodic, is very very heavy. The band has done an amazing job at balancing sheer power, with hooks and harmony that a lot of folks can appreciate.

The Absence has released two albums to date on Metal Blade Records. “From Your Grave” was their debut album, released in 2005, and “Riders of the Plague” is the sophomore effort, released in 2007. Both albums are amazing, but “Riders of the Plague” is easily one of the best albums to come out of Florida in years. “Riders”, was recorded in the legendary Mana Studios, FL.

The band has undergone some turmoil in the last year. They had a difficult separation with drummer, Jeramie Kling in 2007, shortly after the release of “Riders of the Plague”. The band has persevered however, and is slated to record new material in Sweden this March.

The band does not fit the usual Florida Death Metal style, which is a good thing for Florida. The diversity that The Absence displays does great things for the Florida scene. Actually, the band started as an effort to showcase the members’ interest in the Scandanavian Death Metal scene.

If you’re short on time for new bands, make this one a top priority. The Absence is definitely one of the best bands to come out of Florida in a while.