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Exclusive, Featured

EXCLUSIVE FULL ALBUM STREAM OF THE ABSENCE’S ENEMY UNBOUND

 Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 1:00pm by

the absence - enemy unbound

If  ”Vertigo,” the EVH-meets-Dimebag instrumental album intro of The Absence‘s new album Enemy Unbound, isn’t enough to get you to listen to the whole thing… how about the promise of the hundred or so absolutely top-notch riffs contained therein? And plenty of killer riffs I do promise; riff after riff after riff after riff. Of both the singular and harmonized-lead variety, both in spades, every single one of ‘em headbang and fist-pump worthy. If that’s still not enough to get you to listen, how about the promise of expertly crafted scorching solos? Or of that lost art — actual songwriting? If that’s still not enough for you… it’s fucking free! Just press the damn “play” button below and let ‘er rip.

Enemy Unbound drops September 14th via Metal Blade. Pre-order that shizz here.

[this promotion has ended]

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  • Biff Tannen

    This shit is gayer than a leather pinata. Par for the course around here, I guess….

    • evilfatguy

      +1
      and ZING!

    • JerzeyDevil

      i bet you have seriously questionable taste.

      this is real metal. plain and simple.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Edwards/100000527928466 Brian Edwards

    “Or of that lost art — actual songwriting?” That’s still lost to them, considering Erased and Deepest Wound have practically the same opening riff. But hey! It’s in a different scale and there’s an extra note or two so no one will notice.

    • JerzeyDevil

      you’re not a guitar player, eh?

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Edwards/100000527928466 Brian Edwards

        I am and all scales are modular on the guitar which means if you know one scale, you know them all. Besides, with all the notes you could play on a guitar, there’s no reason two songs should sound that similar.

        • JerzeyDevil

          so what do you expect?

          some earth-shattering new form of melodic death metal guitar playing?

          the absence’s sound is signature enough as it is.

        • builtforsin

          Correction…

          If you know one scale, you know one scale in any position on the neck. Different scales have different finger patters, dick burglar.

          Also, The Absence rule.

          • Vinsanity

            the modes are fun to play with

        • Guitarprod

          haha epic fail. If you even dare call yourself a guitar player you sir are the most unitellegent musician ever…

          • Steve O

            This is totally off topic, but yeah, I really prefer the term guitarist/bassist…

  • http://thatdevilmusic.blogspot.com Rob Liz

    Grover at TNOTB turned me onto these guys. It’s like a thrash /melodeath hybrid and I love it.

    • http://dubby jeremy

      youre exactly right on

  • JerzeyDevil

    Fucking album of the year for me!

    I love the Absence sound, and this shit just made my fucking day!

    This is the kind of music that got me into metal in the first place, when bands like In Flames and Soilwork still played good music.

    • http://dubby jeremy

      i also agree with you

    • joey bump

      Enemy Unbound is amazing and to the person who said that tracks 2 and 3 have the same opening riff. what the hell are you smoking cause i want some of that shit. your high as fuck

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Zink/1457523384 Andrew Zink

    Fucking amazing.

  • Meathead

    The music is good, great riffs. Not so fond of this vocal style, seems like people have traded vocal technique for ability.

    • DecrystallizingReason

      no offense, but what is the difference between technique and ability? don’t you need the ability to use a technique?

  • Stark

    This shit is beyond fresh. The Bridge is by far my favorite song of the album, with Maelstrom right behind it.

  • AARONIUS

    Wow I didn’t expect that. Vocals kind of remind me of Jeff from Carcass, the music aint too shabby either. May have to check this out.

  • Full Metal Life Jacket

    I like it, but when did Arch Enemy change their name to The Absence?

    • anton

      Dude I may be wrong in saying this but I really dont think they sound like Arch Enemy, maybe in certain areas but in fairness the Absence may have many similarities as many other melodic death metal bands from awhile back but they still have that little edge that makes them somewhat distinctive.

      • joey bump

        one of pats favorite albums is aan arch enemy album im sure they draw alot of inspiration from them as noone can deny that arch enemy is amazing guitarists.

  • http://crescentshield.com Crescent Shield

    Somebody likes At THE GATES…

  • Brian Roach

    Yea, it’s not bad, but like so many of these bands, I am not sure i’d see myself listening to this more than a handful of times. The riffs are great, it sounds good, nothing really ‘wrong’ with it, but I don’t know, it just doesn’t quite grab for some reason. Thanks for the preview, but don’t think i’ll be buying this one…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vince-Edwards/184804344 Vince Edwards

    You people are impossible to please.

    • mike

      Agreed.

      This band took the crown long ago from Arsis as the best American MDM band out there. From the two tracks previously released, it sounds less thrash like it was on Riders of the Plague and more along the lines of their first album which = good.

      • sYgnal

        Sorry…. DEATH was the best American MDM.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Storm-Smith/100001497451965 Storm Smith

        Correction, Arsis is a great TDM band while Death is the BEST TDM ever!

    • CrusherDestroyer

      This site is loaded with people that are impossible to please. I love The Absence. I don’t know that they took anything from Arsis though. Arsis is pretty fucking awesome. I think both bands appeal to people in different ways.

      • JerzeyDevil

        I just listened to the new Arsis album without ever hearing them before since I’ve seen some comparisons..

        Nowhere even close to the Absence, at least on the album I’ve heard. Arsis is more par for the course than anything else. Most of the riffs weren’t even that interesting, and it seemed like a lot of technical prowess was thrown in just for the sake of it, like a million other bands are doing right now.

        I’m not saying it was decent or good, but Enemy Unbound and it’s melodic glory pretty much destroys what I just heard from Starve for the Devil.

        • mike

          Yeah you started with the wrong album. The two essential releases are A Celebration of Guilt (their first album, a classic) and their A Diamond for Disease EP.

          They went downhill with their next three albums.

  • fritz

    I thought that was pretty solid! Definitely getting it when it comes out.

  • ITTOA666

    Been liking them since the first time I heard Necropolis. Great band.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Gifford/1367109641 Chris Gifford

    this shit is good. these guys don’t get enough respect. they have better chops than most of the bands people worship out there…

  • http://dubby jeremy

    hey gayboys its a great MDM album , and since the arsis album this is the best MDM ive heard in a while and stop whining about the guitars you queeros

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shahar-Bar/715179856 Shahar Bar

    The new album if fucking great! The production is pristine, some awesome metal guitar tones! Leads are tastefull and abundant! The harmonies rival anything from early In Flames, for example, the lead exchange in “Deepest Wound” is like fucking classic. These guys are fucking great live as well, I think this kind of talent needs to be praised, not knocked down. I wish the best to this band because along with Black Dhalia Murder, Goatwhore, The Faceless and other newer metal bands from the US, they are keeping the United States metal scene alive. Lets rally behind this level of talent and creativity in music.

    • sherhamforash

      well said my friend, i couldnt agree more, nor could us metal maniacs all the way from new zealand. this album is a fantastic follow up from the previous two, it makes our blood boil, insperational in every sence of the word. its clear the music of the absence is on a one way street to greatness, throwing trash at all the haters along the way. if the absence were to come to new zealand all hell would break loose, i promise on behalf of new zealand that we would bring the energy of a thousand suns.up the absence!!!

  • sYgnal

    Weren’t you guys just ripping on Last Felony for sounding “unoriginal” but, yet, you claim this album is full “of the hundred or so absolutely top-notch riffs”?! I’m pretty sure Arsis covered this ground quite a few years ago. Even if that wasn’t the case, the production methods used on this album are tired. For fucks sake,the drummer sounds like he’s playing drywall with some hammers and the guitars could’ve been programmed. Polished doesn’t mean better…. Move on with this cookie-cutter shit!

    • JerzeyDevil

      the guitars sound programmed?

      wow, you really have no fucking clue what you’re saying. these guys don’t use ANY studio magic at all, which is pretty fucking rare in today’s “metal” scene.

      you obviously haven’t seen them play live either, because this shit sounds just about as good as it does on the album.

    • joey bump

      Lol you are so ignorant i love it when people post on the interwwebz like they know everything. you just proved how little really do know about not only music but this band. as the guy who posted above me said this band does not use any studio magic. this is pure talent and hard work at its best. if you dont think this band sounds fucking amazing on cd you need to go see them live because they are 10 times better live. I lived in tampa for 6 years and I went to about 12 absences shows through the time i lived there. I have seen many bands ranging from dimmu , bodom , LoG ( sucks ) , behemoth , cradle of filth , TBDM , In flames , Skeletonwitch and Amon Amarth just to name a few off the top of my head. And i have to honestly say that The Absence live show is better than any of them and the only thing that can make an Absence show better is if Skeletonwitch and or Amon Amarth are playing with them.

      You fail at trying to make yourself sound smart better luck next time. Might wanna do some research before you open your mouth on a forum full of thousands of people and make sure you are right.

  • sYgnal

    LMAO, I have no clue what I’m saying,huh? Sorry to kill your retarded fanboy fantasy but that album was recorded with a template. Sure, everybody has a unique ear but instruments don’t sound that way unless they are recorded in an over-controlled environment. If you want an idea of what a natural recording sounds like then you should take a listen to Neural Code S/T. If you want a prime example of a pristine recording then you should listen to Iron Maiden “Powerslave”.

    It’s obvious all your ears have been trained to hear is cheap fucking Gibson guitars & those cardboard sounding, cheap fucking Pearl drums. You should try a Hamer,ESP & some fucking oak Yamahas…..jackass!

    • Buzz Killington

      You started off raving about polished production, then went on to spout more bullshit about it being recorded in a ‘over-controlled’ environment. I’m pretty sure any studio in the world would be considered a ‘controlled’ environment. I have no idea what constitutes as an ‘over’ controlled environment. And Natural recording vs Pristine recording? What.

      You definitely have no idea what you’re on about.

      • sYgnal

        “I have no idea what constitutes as an ‘over’ controlled environment. And Natural recording vs Pristine recording? What.”

        Exactly… Maybe you should take a class or three before you open your suck.
        Or, maybe, you always need everything broken down for you?

        • Mike Leon

          Dude honestly, YOU ARE THE ONE who doesn’t know what he/she is talking about.

          First of all, Pearl Drums aren’t cheap, which shows me that you are not savvy with drums.

          Secondly, if you are so fond of Hamer and ESP guitars, then you should recognize them on the recordings…..because that’s what was used. Also, “guitars could’ve been programmed???” Are you serious?!!

          Finally, your whole opinion of the being “recorded with a template” is ridiculous. In fact, your entire opinion is ridiculous. I’m sure you are just one of those kids living in their parents’ basement, taking online courses to some musical institution just to self-justify your outlandish comments on internet message boards.

          Get real.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mathieu-Brulotte/729395276 Mathieu Brulotte

            fucking slammed lol

          • sYgnal

            Your awesome with your canned responses…

            “I’m sure you are just one of those kids living in their parents’ basement, taking online courses to some musical institution just to self-justify your outlandish comments on internet message boards. “

            LMAO….Naw, but in this economy I wish I was.

            Now, let’s get back to the fun, shall we??

            Just an FYI, but, Tama,Yamaha & DW make far superior kits to Pearl any day of the week. So, nanny-nanny-poo-poo. You probably should have clicked the hyperlink in the review to find out that they use Fender & Jackson (aka Charvel). Yes, I have to give them credit for using Fender (which no one hardly does anymore in Metal ) but, Jackson has Gibson-esque models,so, that’s a negative for me.

            So, maybe you should take some online classes to train your ear. Face it, these guys are following the trend and producing with the Roadrunner / Metal Blade formula for success. I see it has worked. on inexperienced fucks who think everyone lives in their parent’s basement.

            Get Hosed!

    • JerzeyDevil

      It sounds exactly the same live, they just have really good tone going. Stop hating, this is the best album to come out of an American Metal band in years.

      This album should do for the Absence what Ashes of the Wake did for Lamb of God. These guys are bringing back a style of Metal that disappeared during the beginning of the decade, and quite frankly, they’re bringing better chops than the bands that got this genre attention in the first place.

      These are some of the best solos I’ve ever heard, because they compliment the songs so fucking well, when typically this amount of soloing would be overkill for an other band, the Absence do it in a way that just fucking rocks.

      Thank god for Edge Of Sanity, which is apparently their biggest inspiration.

      • sYgnal

        Thanks for the heads up on the new album from Arsis. Actually, that sounds like their most aggressive yet cohesive material to date. They really have honed in on their style.

        From a production standpoint even though the album doesn’t have the same volume level as “Enemy Unbound”(merely going by Mp3s, which sucks) they still manage to produce better detail. BUT, their drums still have that boxy quality to them as well. I cannot stand the drum-machine-like sound that has taken over the Metal scene!

        Anyways, I’m not going to stop voicing my opinion about my passion for Metal & Music just because my country hasn’t produced a killer Metal band since DEATH. I’m torn with the fact that I have to listen to “Symbolic” or “Individual” to hear music that kills & is timeless. You can thank God for Edge of Sanity but ultimately you have to thank him/her for Chuck Schuldiner!!

        • Cody

          Agalloch
          Cormorant
          Slough Feg
          Xasthur
          Acid Witch
          The Wakedead gathering
          Immolation
          Atheist
          Skeletonwitch
          Angelcorpse

          Just off the top of my head, a few American bands that i enjoy. Death is great, but they’re not the last great american band.

          Anyhow, I like this album, haven’t listened to melodeath in about a year, so it was a good break. The title track and Maelstrom seemed to be a little weak to me though. 4/5 I’d say.

          • sYgnal

            I meant to say Melodic Death Metal band. Seriously, though, you mentioned some good bands but,still, nothing pushed the envelope and still produced such great material for Death Metal like DEATH did. That’s just how I feel. I never get tired of listening to those two masterpieces and I bought them when they came out.

            As for Atheist, they haven’t released an album since the mid 90′s. As much as I love them, I don’t believe this new release will come close to “Unquestionable”. I hope I’m wrong.

            Yea, I guess I don’t hate it. I’m just tired of the huge portion of MDM bands that use the same equipment & recording techniques. AND, these freakish fans that resort to insults when you give a critically negative review even if it isn’t just a “this sucks” comment.

  • JerzeyDevil

    Just listened to the new Arsis album, not even touching Enemy Unbound. Riffs aren’t memorable, too much technical showmanship thrown in without actually complimenting the song.

    I don’t know.

    The Absence has the crown right now. Each album has been better than the one before it, which is something that doesn’t happen too often in metal. These guys have chops, and write really memorable riffs/solos, even within the confines of their genre.

    And godamn, I love hearing brutal singers where you can clearly understand every single word. Love it.

    Enemy Unbound 4.5/5

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vince-Edwards/184804344 Vince Edwards

    Mike Leon actually is in the band and recorded this album, so I think he knows what he’s talking about. Settle down kids – either enjoy the music or don’t. There’s no sense in arguing about tones, gear, etc., because you’re all just making hasty generalizations about a recording process that you hard no part of.

    • sYgnal

      Yea… If that was Mike Leon then he probably blew his own sponsorship by talking out his ass.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vince-Edwards/184804344 Vince Edwards

        I only work for Metal Blade, what the hell do I know? /conversation

  • TheGates01

    Fuck these little metal nerd trolls..Don’t like it fuck off and click X. New album is awesome btw.

  • Random

    Idk why, but the guitar sound from Triumph reminds me of Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (its a good thing)
    Also any melodeath fan who doesn’t like this has no taste.

  • Evil Dan

    Love this band. Sounds great. Wish they made it out to Texas as much as they used to play Tampa and Orlando when I lived there.

    • Evil Dan

      Oh, and LET’S FUCKING THRASH!

  • DecrystallizingReason

    I still rock out to Riders of the Plague on my way to work at least once a week. No doubt Enemy Unbound will remain in my regular playlist for years to come, as well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Richard-Dopey-Donahue/1364170889 Richard Dopey Donahue

    I love their 2 previous records, especially Riders of the Plague, and am finding this new one just as awesome. The album is full of catchy as hell, melodic brutal songs; very remiscient of Dissection and At The Gates. Extremely underrated band who deserves more publicity and attention. Hopefully this will be the album that will break them out of obscurity.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nai-Nei/824962504 Nai Nei

    Forward, honest metal!
    Sounds just excellent!