Tampa-based melodic death metal band THE ABSENCE will release "A Gift For The Obsessed", its first album in eight years, on March 23 via M-Theory Audio. A music video for the album's blistering title track can be viewed below. The song is also available for streaming and purchase on all digital platforms. Says vocalist Jamie Stewart: "'A Gift For The Obsessed' embodies many of the dynamics that THE ABSENCE stand for as a whole: melody, brutality, speed, dexterity, cadence, etc. — a truly comprehensive and cohesive listening experience indeed! The title of the album/song refers to that very moment when any artist or creator makes something to the integral point of satisfaction — when your craft meets your obsession in furious culmination, and you are finally able to take a step back, if only for just a moment, completely fulfilled by the fruits of your artistic labor. It's one of the most maddening yet needed satisfactions in life — exorcism through creation." "A Gift For The Obsessed" is THE ABSENCE's first full-length since 2010's acclaimed "Enemy Unbound" (Metal Blade Records), and is the first to feature their current lineup. Led by founding members Stewart and Jeramie Kling (drums) along with longtime bass player Mike Leon (SOULFLY, HAVOK, ARSIS), the group now features the high-flying guitar work of Joey Concepcion (JASTA, ARMAGEDDON) and Taylor Nordberg (SOILWORK, RIBSPREADER), who made their debut on the band's independently released digital single "Septic Testament" in 2016. "Septic Testament" is one of 10 tracks on the band's new album, the LP edition of which will feature red/black haze colored vinyl, a heavyweight 24-pt. jacket, a color lyric sheet and a download card. The record also includes a cover of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' "You Can't Bring Me Down" that features guest vocals by Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA). "A Gift for The Obsessed" was mixed by David Castillo at Sweden's Ghost Ward Studio (KATATONIA, OPETH) and mastered by Thomas "Plec" Johansson at The Panic Room (WATAIN, SCAR SYMMETRY), while the cover was created by Russian artist Stray Child. On the new album and the making of the music video, Leon said: "The album turned out even more killer than we could have expected. The video shoot for 'A Gift For The Obsessed' was a blast as well. We shot it at Bay Stage Live here in Tampa, where Taylor and I work, with Jeramie's wife Deidra Kling handling most of the camera duties, and we had Tommy Jones (SLAYER, DEATH ANGEL) supply his editing wizardry!"
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