Black Absence was founded by Kevin "Asian" Sanders. In 2012, Sean Cahillane joined the band, adding his skill of eleven years behind the axe and the welcome addition of another Lead Guitar to the band. Michael "Metal Mike" Lalonde joined the band as the Lead Vocalist and brought with him his many years of experience singing karaoke and writing song lyrics of his own. Liam "El Smasho" Malone joined as the new drummer in 2013. Mike chose to pick up the bass, dropping the majority of his retirement fund on a bass setup for the good of the band. That'll be a good story 20 years from now. Then In the Spring of 2015, the band moved Mike to primary vocals and added bassist Jonathan Denaker to solidify the lineup. With 4 studio spaces in 2 years,the band has finally secured full recording capabilities in house and a drive to write true, honest to goodness heavy music. The band recorded and mixed their new full length album "Voyager: Record" in the newly christened "Dimey Studios" in Holyoke MA in 2015 and 2016. Mastered by Nick Zampiello of New Alliance East and released in August 2016 at RPM fest in Greenfield MA, the album represents years of DIY work ethic and an attempt to return to the sound of classic albums that we grew up on. Influenced by the 80's era great, technical and fun metal that birthed thousands of bands, we strive to create unique, heavy and melodic music in the spirit of Testament, Pantera, Slayer, D.R.I., etc. The solos are plentiful, the groove is tasty and energy is there whether you move or not! http://www.bdpmetal.net/2016/09/best-thrash-metal-cover-in-august-2016.html http://deadrhetoric.com/reviews/black-absence-voyager-record-self-released Western Mass melodic thrash. Authentic, raw, and unabashed.