Holding Absence “Afterlife” Track Review

Rock and post-hardcore powerhouse Holding Absence have released the second single from their upcoming sophomore album, The Greatest Mistake of My Life. As they hold onto the heavy yet ethereal force of their debut self-titled record, they flourish it into a sharper, more purified silhouette of themselves. Through an immaculate weave of passional vocal delivery, mesmerizing instrumentals and evocative lyrics, they paint crystal clear imagery that lingers on long after the song ends.

“Afterlife” kicks off with the chorus, diving right into the electrifying melodies that set the stage for the tune’s narrative. Followed by an introduction of shimmery keys whisked into stormy guitar chords, the first thirty seconds alone are enough to get hooked. Vocalist Lucas Woodland belts fiercely about a lost love, “I’ll pull those arrows from out of your back / Time and time again / We know that nothing good can last / But what’ll happen when we reach the end?” The high-octane energy takes a brief detour for the mournful bridge. Twinkling ambience enhances the haunting vocal layers, until going into an acoustic section that transitions beautifully into the final chorus. Their ambient post-hardcore synthesis shines brightly for this one, reinforcing their distinct tone that they keep finding new ways to augment.

New album The Greatest Mistake of My Life will be out April 16th. Check out the video for “Afterlife” below!