Absolence - Kindred Kindness

METAL

Review By: SAM LOUGHLAN

Band members: Will (Vocals)
                      HateRiff (Main Guitar/Backing Vox)
                      Chris (Bass)
                      Mike (Drums/Clean Vox)
                      Tom (Lead Guitar)

Track list: Kindred Kindness

Good evening, all! Tonight, we have something special to co-inside with Bloodstock Festival which many of you are attending over the next few days.

Absolence have stormed the alt scene with some pretty impressive achievements so far this year. This five-piece metal band based in Merseyside, UK played their very first festival back in May and have gone on to smash through the M2M heats to emerge victorious as winners on 6th July 2024. This has resulted in them securing a slot performing at Bloodstock Festival 2024 on Friday 9th August from 6.45pm til 7.15pm on the New Blood Stage. A set certainly not to be missed!

To celebrate this phenomenal achievement, Heads Up North Manchester wanted to give you guys an insight into the band by reviewing the music video to accompany the track ‘Kindred Kindness’.
So, here we go…

This is the first (of many, we hope), music videos that Absolence have created. Released on Monday 29th July (the same day the band were aired on Radio Norwich with Nicky Clifford on the MyT Rock Show), this piece embodies a pretty sensitive topic in a way that is carefully and dynamically breached and laid bare as to highlight the struggles that some members of our society face.

“Inspired by witnessing controlling and abusive behaviour first hand and trying to put ourselves into the shoes of the people affected to tell a story. A really distressing topic which needs more exposure to help people involved find a safe place away from this horrific situation” – Absolence 17.05.24

At three minutes and thirty-five seconds in length, the track immediately draws the audience in and the we are fixated in awe by the quality and professional edge this cinematic specimen holds. With seamless choreography and radiating head banging vibes, ‘Kindred Kindness’ is in my opinion one of the best music video’s I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing about.

The combination of pure musical talent and solid easily distinguishable lyrics aired by the powerful vocals of Will, ensure the message Absolence is conveying, comes through loud and clear even with the immense passion that they pour into their performances.

The visual effects appear to have been chosen specifically to match the feelings of disorientation a person in this position might feel and the overturned images at the end of the track, dissolving into nothing, bring the video to a perfect close.

Another striking element to the visual portrayal of ‘Kindred Kindness’ is that it evenly showcases each member of the band individually. Some music videos tend to leave members out in the cold and focus on the singer which can come across as pretty egotistical and distract from highlighting the collective effort that went in to creating the piece. Absolence have successfully engrained a depth of personal connection with the audience on a more direct level by demonstrating the solid bond between band members exhibiting how they play flawlessly together.

The audible mechanics of the track itself bleed undeniable pure metal energy. The guys never fail to give their audience what they crave. A full-on metal injected masterpiece that Absolence fans can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

Don’t just take our word for it though. Check out the link below and I can promise you won’t be disappointed.

Heads Up North Manchester want to wish Absolence all the best in their performance this weekend. We know you’ll be amazing!

This song describes subjects of a distressing and serious nature. Absolence in no way condones acts of controlling and abusive behaviour, nor do we endorse violence on persons associated.” - Absolence 29.07.24

**Warning: The following video contains bright, flashing lights and/or imagery that may cause discomfort and/or seizures for those with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.**

 

Absolence - Kindred Kindness (OFFICIAL VIDEO) (youtube.com)

Video by Craig Alexander Wright
Actor - Patrick Morrison
Actress - Skye Bushell

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https://www.facebook.com/Absolence