Absolace - Resolve[d]

4.0

5.0 (1)

This Dubai-based band have released a new album of carefully constructed, and very well produced, tunes that signal a big future ahead.

We first came across Absolace a short while back and were impressed with not only the work ethic of the band, but also the musicianship and quality technique of this band.  Although that's not necessarily a unique trait by any means, especially in hard rock or crossover rock/metal circles, genres usually dripping with talent, this is amply supported and extended in Absolace's case by vocalist Nadim Jamal.  More often than not, it is the vocals that somehow lend a fragility not only to the spaces created by the atmospheric moments on the album, but also the harder-edged riff-driven parts of the offering.  This has the effect of lulling the listener into an almost false-sense of security, before snatching it away as the guitars roll in with some clever songwriting and production.

The watertight rhythm section (Greg Cargopoulous on drums and Ben Harris on bass) allows both the space and drive so often exploited by Jack Skinner's guitar work.  From the opening atmospherics of Epigraph to the much harder edge and crunch of Resolved[d]'s intro, this remarkable self-produced effort vary rarely strays into the 'self-indulgence trap' the befalls many bands in this genre on debut efforts, even with some 7-minute plus songs here.  Unfairly, in our opinion, likened to bands such as Tool, Absolace have not only developed, but defined, a unique sound on this album, one that has clearly been honed and nurtured over some time.  One could be forgiven for even suggesting the DNA of the song-writing seems to come from, or be influenced by, something of a more regional flavor, as the stand-out track White Lies indicates.

The space afforded on tracks such as Wade as a juxtaposition to the depth and complexity of tracks such as Apogee or Spero Melior (which, having said the above, at 9min 55sec is quite the listen), is a welcome great touch and one that benefits in the overall production and delivery of the album.

While Resolve[d] is definitely an impressive debut, we feel there's going to be something even more special around the corner as Absolace further define their sound, and we look forward to catching them live.

Editor review

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