ABSOLVA

(UNITED KINGDOM)

SIDE BY SIDE

(2020)
LABEL:

AUTRE LABEL

GENRE:

HEAVY METAL

TAGS:
80's, Epic, High-pitched vocals, Old School
"Following in the footsteps of the greats of the genre such as Iron Maiden or Saxon, Absolva signs a solid album of melodic and epic heavy metal."
NOISE (16.04.2020)  
4/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
In less than ten years, the English band Absolva have wasted no time at all: the Appleton brothers' band has released four albums with parallel activities - they are members of Blaze Bayley's band and Luke Appleton is Iced Earth's bassist. In spite of this, the band found time to work on their fifth album, "Side By Side", a purely British heavy metal album. Since its beginnings, the band has been straight in style, without revolutionizing anything but excelling in it. With a cover that Saxon wouldn't disavow, the record sees Absolva keeping its artistic guideline and signing hot tracks worthy of its models.

Indeed, all the appreciable elements of the genre are gathered on tracks such as 'Advocate Your Fate', 'Side By Side', 'Living A Lie', 'Eternal Soul' or 'End Of Days', offering a heavy album with an inimitable British signature. The Appleton brothers form a formidable guitar pair in the spirit of the 80s duets. They sign great riffs and solos. On vocals, Chris does a perfect job; he doesn't have the vocal power of a Dickinson but he compensates with a veiled side not far from a Dio. If you add typical backing vocals, obvious choruses and a solid rhythm section, you get perfect tracks to delight the fans.

Alongside these tracks, Absolva varies the subject matter intelligently. 'Legion' and 'From This World' are more nuanced and put the epic side forward in the spirit of the Black Sabbath of the Dio years or the Celtic ballads of Iron Maiden. The result is excellent and takes the record into another artistic dimension. 'The Sky's Your Limit' is a success with a beautiful alternation of tones, not far from what Blaze offers in his solo albums.

"Side By Side" is a success, fresh and catchy. Absolva confirms its status as one of the great hopefuls of the British heavy music scene. The band has talent and the weapons to go high. We feel he's capable of quickly producing an ultimate record that would definitively change his division.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Advocate Your Fate
02. Burning Star
03. The Sky’s Your Limit
04. Side by Side
05. Living a Lie
06. Legion
07. Eternal Soul
08. End of Days
09. Heart Let’s Go
10. From This World
11. 2 Minutes to Midnight (Iron Maiden cover)
12. Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath cover)

LINEUP:
Chris Appleton: Chant / Guitares
Karl Schramm: Basse
Luke Appleton: Guitares
Martin Mcnee: Batterie
   
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