IN ABSENTIA

In Absentia is Porcupine Tree's first foray into Prog Metal. It arguablly is also their best. From the opening of the album (Blackest Eyes) to the finale of Collapse Light into Earth the band COOKS! Whether somber or upbeat, the beat always pulses. Blackest Eyes is one of the strogest songs leading off of a PT album since The Sky Moves Sideways.

But PT can do more than just thunder - they can be more subtle in their music, like Trains, Gravity Eyelids, and Collapse Light into Earth. Here they are just plain hypnotic. lulling one along as if riding on a train; moving weightless through the realm of sleep; or sinking deep into the bowels of the earth.

Strip the Soul peels back the layers of ones soul with its grinding attack, Wedding Nails pounds along, and .3 hits like a jackhammer. The aural assault is impressive as Wilson and company run the gamut of emotions, which is a core concept of the lyrics on this album - especially the darker emotions that try mens souls.

A brilliant album, with something for everyone. Highly recommended, five stars.