The Absence is an American melodic death metal band from Tampa, Florida. Formed in 2002, the ensemble consists of lead vocalist Jamie Stewart, drummer Jeramie Kling, lead guitarist Taylor Nordberg, live bassist Jesse Jolly and live rhythm guitarist Richie Brown. The group’s musical style combines elements of thrash metal with the Scandinavian Gothenburg sound. The band released its eponymous debut EP, The Absence, in 2004. Their recording history featured the studio albums From Your Grave (2005) and Riders of the Plague (2007), the latter record being issued through the label Metal Blade Records. In 2010, the ensemble issued the studio recording Enemy Unbound, which reached number 55 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Their subsequent recording history included the studio recordings A Gift for the Obsessed (2018) and Coffinized (2021). In 2024, the group issued its eponymous sixth studio album, The Absence.
