The Absence Unveil Ripping Melodeath B-Side “Walking Shadows”
If last year’s A Gift for the Obsessed, The Absence’s first album in eight years, didn’t leave you feeling satisfied — and why would it? there can never be too much music from The Absence! — the band has a treat for fans today in the form of a new track called “Walking Shadows,” one that was left on the cutting room floor from the Gift recording sessions. It’s difficult to understand why this one didn’t make the cut, ’cause it rips just as hard as anything on the album and it’s got all the elements of what make The Absence The Absence; thrash grooves, Swedish melodeath-inspired riffs, a chorus that’s catchier than the common cold in a preschool classroom and a positively searing guitar solo. In short: it fucking slaps.
The track comes just in time for the launch of The Absence’s tour with Deicide, Origin and Jungle Rot, set to kick off this weekend (dates underneath the embed). “Walking Shadows” will be available at the band’s merch booth on a limited-edition three-song cassette featuring cover art by Mark Riddick (Fleshgod Apocalpyse, Arsis, The Black Dahlia Murder). The song features a guest appearance from longtime band friend and collaborator Santiago Dobles (also guitarist of the prog metal group Aghora) and the cassette also contains a cover of Bad Religion’s “Do What You Want” and an exclusive live version of “Septic Testament.” Here it is via Metal Injection:
5/11 Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live!
5/12 Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
5/13 El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill
5/14 Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
5/15 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
5/16 Oakland, CA @ Metro Opera House
5/18 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
5/20 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
5/22 Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
5/23 Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s
5/24 Cleveland, OH @ The Odeon Theater
5/25 Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest (Deicide only)
5/27 Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
5/28 Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
5/29 Montreal, QC @ L’Astral
5/30 Quebec City, QC @ Le d’Auteuil
5/31 Manchester, NH @ Jewel Nightclub
6/1 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater
