IN ABSENTIA

Porcupine Tree's 7th studio album, "In Absentia", is an unusual work, when you look at PT's resume. First, beacuse unlike the rest of their albums, it's aggressive - less melodical by meaning. Second, it is the first album that comes out on a big record company, after many years when PT was half-indie. Under a high-budget contract, massive marketing and the breakthrough that exposed many people to Wilson & PT's genius work in their music.

Steven Wilson known for his concept albums, and you can feel it while listening to his works and even on his B-side projects (such as "No-Man"). In my opinion, it's an incredible exprience to listen to an album who is conceptually united. One song connected to another, and the whole album becomes a one big story of 68 minutes of complexed music.

On a concept album such as this one, you can't really seperate tracks, and to choose the best of them, but i tried my best :). The first is "Blackest Eyes". To be urnest, this was the first PT song i've ever heard, and that's what made me love this band so much. This opening track is one of the best of them (opening tracks). PT kept that level on the rest of the album, but this is definitely a highlight. What is so special in this song, is the hard, rugged guitar-riffs, The massive drums transitions by Gavin Harrison, and most of all - the vocal harmony that stays, like their last albums. The second is "Gravity Eyelids", which combines between the creations of the porcupines & classic music, and this combination also expresses on their 2 last albums. This is where PT have their advantage. Another great part in the song is the cut to the instrumental phase includes samples and a lot of distortions.

To conclude, PT proves again that theyr'e always ahead of their time, never let you down, and provides time after time marvellous albums that will be remembered for many years, being an inspiration to many generations of music. PT is an important milestone in the prog rock nowadays, and Steven Wilson's name is surely to be written in the golden book of Progressive music. 5 stars.