HOLDING ABSENCE RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE

Photo: Bethan Miller

Emerging from South Wales, the trio Holding Absence has officially unveiled ‘Whisper Of A Dream’, marking their highly anticipated return to the spotlight. This release stands as their first offering of fresh material since the arrival of 2023’s The Noble Art Of Self-Destruction and serves as an important milestone as their debut under the banner of Sumerian Records.

The composition delves into the profound complexities of the human experience during those moments when hope seems entirely unattainable. Within the song, Holding Absence navigates the thin line between emotional paralysis and the slow process of recovery, touching upon a darkness so profound it borders on the inhuman. It portrays a desperate quest for improvement even as that better reality appears to drift further into the distance.

Musically positioned at the intersection of alternative and emotional hardcore, the band leans heavily into raw vulnerability, inviting their audience into a meticulously crafted universe defined by poetic lyricism and a distinct visual aesthetic. Furthermore, this single functions as the premiere of a central character who is destined to play a significant role throughout the upcoming album cycle.

Discussing the significance of the new track, frontman Lucas Woodland explains, “Whisper Of A Dream is our first song back in what feels like forever. After releasing our third record, The Noble Art Of Self-Destruction, it felt essential to step away for a while - to take stock and rediscover who we are as a band.”

He continues by elaborating on why this specific piece was chosen to lead their new era, stating, “Whisper felt like the perfect song to return with. In many ways, it represents everything Holding Absence has always been, while introducing new elements to our sound and opening the door to what comes next.”

Regarding the themes explored in the work, Woodland adds, “Lyrically and conceptually, the song draws heavily from cyberpunk media. Contemplation, sentience and dreaming in an ever-evolving world. The music video also introduces our robot mascot “Y4-BB0”, a character you’ll be seeing more of in the coming years.”

With the definitive conclusion of The Noble Art of Self-Destruction, punctuated by a stark ‘3/3’, Holding Absence issued a bold promise to dismantle every expectation held by themselves and their dedicated following. Having spent nearly ten years establishing a firm presence within the post-hardcore landscape, that record served as a final and defiant tribute to their past, a chaotic, visceral purging of their previous identity and the elements their fans had come to cherish. However, as that era drew to a close, it left behind a series of profound and difficult questions regarding their evolution: What parts of their identity must be sacrificed, and what must be preserved? What does the band truly represent to the global community of fans who wear the moth tattoo as a mark of devotion? Most importantly, how can they navigate this total metamorphosis while maintaining the core essence that defines them?

At its heart, Holding Absence is defined by pure emotion, existing as a vessel for vulnerability and absolute honesty. It is found in the quiet, somber moments, like the raindrops trickling down a face during a solitary walk home in the cold, or the sensation of the wind brushing against one's cheeks as the morning sky begins to break at dawn. If a feeling is raw, authentic, and inherently human, then it is the very soul of Holding Absence.