By channeling their emotions, by extracting power from their own souls, Holding Absence propels on their sophomore record, The Greatest Mistake Of My Life. The band tries to silence the vultures and demons that choose to inhabit their minds, that prod and pull and pulverise every sinew of optimism. The act’s debut album was a morose listen also, but it’s a record that mattered and aided the disenchanted.
Powerful and enchanting in an unorthodox way, The Greatest Mistake Of My Life has a story bubbling in its core, a fable shuddering through its backbone. This adds a dynamic component, and throughout the release voices echo and reverberate. There is a girl struck by melancholy reading a monologue, voicing her opinion, conveying dark days and bruised confidence. This voice does not linger like smoke, but it carries the story.
Stories are crucial to Holding Absence, setting the scene is a pivotal action, peppering the music with a coating of sombreness, and it only becomes a great addition. Yes, some may not want to be inflicted by this album’s commentary, but the listeners who have been around since the beginning will know that this band is supremely talented and joined to the undercurrent, that riveting darkness.
The Greatest Mistake Of My Life does not beam with light. It nestles in the fluttering dimness where phantoms roam. Throughout the compendium, death is also conveyed through chapped lips and sung about by vocalist Lucas Woodland. His vocal range is immense, and when he loses himself, and when he raises his voice, the ghosts listen, and fans become enchanted.
The album soars at every opportunity. Those epic instrumentals and melodies are intricate and atmospheric,. “Celebration Song” shows this in droves. It has the aura we expect; it does not nullify the pain. Woodland’s vocals are sublime here, complemented by shredding guitars and melodic brilliance. “Curse Me With Your Kiss” describes the pearly gates of heaven, and Woodland shows his vocals again, channelling them with a sense of aggression.
“Drugs And Love” matters. The soft voice of that enigmatic female delicately trickles through. The chorus is a superbly crafted piece of the puzzle. “Die Alone (In Your Lovers Arms)” welcomes that allusive voice again. Woodland craves to be buried in broad daylight. Instrumentally sound, the song is an emotional whirlwind.
Holding Absence do not color in the darkness on The Greatest Mistake Of My Life. What they do is entice listeners to hear their stories, which are sad but arresting.
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