IN ABSENTIA

Without doubt, 2002 was the year of PT’s sudden musical change and creative peak. Steven Wilson managed to turn his music into more accessible and metal-oriented direction. Although, his smart experiments and huge sound atmospheres were still remained in force (e.g. songs like “Gravity Eyelids” and “.3”). Wilson’s music became not as overextended and difficult to move into as on previous works. Nevertheless, In Absentia is definitely prog.

1. Blackest Eyes (9/10). This song kicks off In Absentia with power and might. Very nice intro and heavy riffing during the whole song. Appropriate opener for a strong album. 2. Trains (9/10). Very beautiful and graceful semi-acoustic song. It contains a nice acoustic solo in the middle. One of my favorites. 3. Lips of Ashes (9/10). More melancholic and atmospheric track. Though, I like it as much as I like the first two tracks. 4. The Sound of Muzak (10/10). The best track on the album with one the best solos in prog-rock history. 5. Gravity Eyelids (9/10). Pink Floyd intro, which grows heavier and heavier. I like the middle section. 6. Wedding Nails (10/10). Amazing instrumental. Very quick, catching and heavy. 7. Prodigal (10/10). The chorus is very energetic and Wilson’s solo at the end is one of my favorites. 8. .3 (9/10). A bit slower and softer side of modern PT, but the song itself is perfect. 9. The Creator Has a Mastertape (10/10). Crazy song with an interesting intro. The chorus is kind of insane! 10. Heartattack in a Layby (10/10). Very mental and gentle track. Acoustic guitar sounds very emotional and beautiful on this one. 11. Strip the Soul (8/10). I’d give it 10 if It were not too long. Outro is quite repetitive and monotonous, although is very heavy and deterrent. 12. Collapse the Light Into Earth (7/10). I know that Wilson likes such closing tracks, and this one is not so bad, bad too long again. Though, keyboards are very beautiful.

Collusion: The album deserves five stars – it is definitely a masterpiece and the peak of Wilson’s form. In Absentia is very dynamic and aggressive album. Unfortunately, this aggressiveness and strength got lost on the latest PT’s albums, all that left is heaviness and gloominess…

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