Album/EP

Holding Absence - The Noble Art Of Self Destruction (Album Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Aug 25, 2023

7 min read

Holding Absence - The Noble Art Of Self Destruction
Released: August 23rd, 2023

Lineup

Lucas Woodland | Vocals
Scott Carey | Guitar
Benjamin Elliot | Bass
Ashley Green | Drums

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Kintsugi is the Japanese art of taking something broken and making it beautiful again and man, I wish that were something I could do to my brain. The actual process is done to things like pottery with lacquer usually mixed with gold, silver or platinum, and the belief is that repair and breakage are part of something's history and not to be hidden. Metaphorically, we can apply this concept to people and the things that try to break us (or succeed at breaking us) form part of our history and make us who we are, which is beautiful. This is one of the concepts that Welsh band, Holding Absence, had in mind when putting together their new album The Noble Art of Self-Destruction. And it's something I am trying to hold onto as I write this review in the depths of a depressive episode, knowing that even if it tries to break me – it forms part of who I am and that is beautiful.

Holding Absence traipses the line between heavy and beautiful incredibly well and album opener 'Head Prison Blues' is a fantastic example. The song starts with minimal drums, guitar strums, and pained, heavy vocals coming from a distance. Then it moves into a melodic verse with incredible drums from Ashley Green before bursting into a soaring pre-chorus and chorus from Lucas Woodland. This song shows what this band is about – the fusion of heavy instruments and vocals with the most beautiful melodies and Lucas' wide vocal range.

https://youtu.be/twvjzSlqobE?si=hdROLorg8kctVi2s

If you want an example of an album with banger after banger straight up, this is it. The run of singles 'False Dawn', 'A Crooked Melody', 'Scissors' and 'Honey Moon' is an exceptional one of fantastic songs. The former three are heavy-hitting and energetic, and deciding which is my favourite is tough. Each time I listen through, each song becomes my favourite until the next comes along and that changes. As I write this, I thhhhiiinnkk it's 'Scissors', but that will likely change again.

'Honey Moon' changes course and gives a gorgeous, slowed-down moment. Don't be caught by the initial acoustic guitar strums though, because the song quickly erupts into pure cinematic drama. The song gives contrast between the quiet verses and vast choruses, strings and some of the best singing from Lucas (which is saying something!).

https://youtu.be/tVWCJFsHNRA?si=QQ6le0NCdvdpXgLS

From this beautiful ballad, we go into 'Death, Nonetheless', which heads into a bleaker, heavier place with themes of existentialism and suicide and menacing guitar riffage from Scott Carey. Also, the drumming on this song is insane! 'Her Wings' stays in these darker themes, acting as a love song to Death itself, and 'These New Dreams' has some piano action and some djent-ish bass and guitar. Closing out the album is 'The Angel In The Marble', which ties back into the whole theme of the album. The inspiration comes from Michelangelo's David and the idea that sometimes you have to destroy something to make it better.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvWxwo0NwXX/?img_index=2

This album closes out a trilogy – the band explains that self-titled Holding Absence was about love, The Greatest Mistake of My Life was about loss, and The Noble Art Of Self Destruction is about the person that's left and the lessons they have learned after the trauma. The band has a well-honed formula of song-building and storytelling that works incredibly well for them and makes for fantastic songs. With this trilogy's culmination, will we see them try something a little different? Because honestly, I think that would be a great way to go. Yes, this formula works well, but I am keen to see where the band go from here and see them step out of their comfort zone. For a band so talented, I can only imagine it would go well!

The themes across this album spoke to me, especially in the mental place I am right now. While the songs speak of heavy themes, having them presented so gorgeously – with lyrics, music and vocals that make you hold onto your heart as you listen – is an absolute beacon of light cutting through the fog.