Holding Absence – The Noble Art of Self Destruction (Review)

This is the third album from UK modern rock band Holding Absence.

I’ve enjoyed watching the ascent of Holding Absence over the years. From 2019’s Holding Absence, to 2021’s stepping-up-a-level second album The Greatest Mistake of My Life, to the thoroughly scrumptious split with Alpha Wolf from last year, this is a band who keep developing and improving.

The Noble Art of Self Destruction offers us 42 minutes of well-crafted modern rock tunes. The songwriting is strong, the presentation and production on point, and the delivery professional and passionate. This is a record that’s imbued with not only a very personal energy, but also the emotional reach that comes with that. What more could you want from the style?

One of the things that appeals to be about Holding Absence is their simple, unadorned skill for crafting hooks and melodies. The songs are memorable and catchy, while still having a depth of feeling that makes them feel worthwhile investing time in.

This is not the sort of genre that I spend a lot of time with, as the majority of reviews on this site attest to, but when I want something that’s basically a straightforward rock band set in a contemporary context, then Holding Absence are better than most.

The Noble Art of Self Destruction is the next logical chapter for Holding Absence, and is a smooth, enjoyable, frictionless listen. Full of anthemic, uplifting material, this is a stadium-friendly record that’s easy to recommend for any fan of modern rock music.