Formed in Cardiff in 2015, the band is working as a three-piece since long-term drummer Ashley Green departed the band in 2024. The current lineup consists of vocalist Lucas Woodland, guitarist Scott Carey, and bassist Benjamin Elliott. After signing with Sharptone Records in 2017, the band released albums ‘Holding Absence’ in 2019, ‘The Greatest Mistake Of My Life’ in 2021, and ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’ in 2023.

Their general sound is a more modern, polished take on 2000s emo, taking a framework of contemporary post-hardcore and packing it with emotional lyrical depth and atmospheric moods. Woodland’s impressive vocal talents balance the heavy and soft sections equally, which made him a natural candidate when Welsh emo royalty Funeral For A Friend needed a stand-in vocalist in 2023. He has since split time playing live shows with both bands, with no new music appearing since he took on the role until this week.

The trio announced vague plans on New Year’s Eve 2025, with a simple Instagram post reading “Holding Absence will return in 2026”, before leaving a trail of breadcrumbs on social media throughout March. The hints culminated in the reveal on the 31st of March that the new single ‘Whisper Of A Dream’ would come out on the 2nd of April. The single came with the news of the change in label – American label Sumerian Records are best known for their endorsement of metal bands, but Holding Absence will be accompanied by their musical peers Bad Omens and Static Dress.

‘Whisper Of A Dream’ maintains the band’s classic emotional post-hardcore styling, while incorporating glitchy electronic stabs and robotic vocoder vocal cuts, providing the voice for their new mechanical mascot who stars in the video. Frontman Lucas Woodland states “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.” Speaking of where the song fits into the grand scheme of their return to the fray, Woodland also says ‘Whisper Of A Dream “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.”

This cyberpunk-inspired rebirth of Holding Absence ironically follows the dystopian news last year that an AI band trained on their music had overtaken them on Spotify streaming figures. Woodland spoke out on social media site X about the AI-generated music released by “Bleeding Verse”, which openly listed both Holding Absence and US group Dayseeker as its influences, and how it had surpassed his band’s listening statistics for the year in just two months. In the thread of his musings, Woodland commented “It’s shocking, it’s disheartening, it’s insulting – most importantly – it’s a wake up call. Oppose AI music, or bands like us stop existing.”

‘Whisper Of A Dream’ is available now on streaming platforms, with more music likely to arrive via Sumerian later in the year. Catch Holding Absence on Enter Shikari’s tour this November, as it hits the UK and Europe with The Callous Daoboys opening. Dates for the run are here:

NOVEMBER
• 3 – Sporthalle, Hamburg
• 4 – Zenith, Munich
• 5 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig
• 6 – Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Düsseldorf
• 7 – Columbiahalle, Berlin
• 10 – Forest National, Brussels
• 11 – 013 Poppodium, Tilburg
• 13 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
• 14 0 Utilita Arena, Cardiff
• 15 – Connexin Live, Hull
• 18 – OVO Hydro, Hull
• 19 – Co-op Live, Manchester
• 20 – Alexandra Palace, London
• 21 – Alexandra Palace, London

The new album, entitled The Noble Art of Self Destruction, is the Cardiff quartet’s eagerly anticipated follow up to their critically successful 2021 album, The Greatest Mistake of My Life. The band have revealed that their current effort will feature their most expansive set of songs to date. Speaking about the new album, the band has stated, “after an insanely busy and fulfilling album cycle for our second record, last October we spent a month in Jukasa Studios Canada, to record more new music. This record-the third in a trilogy-is by far our most conceptually rich and expansive body of work to date.”

Holding Absence teased new music in the works back in April, while on tour with Electric Callboy, debuting the new song, “A Crooked Melody.” Now, the band have confirmed details of the new album with its title, a new song and video for “False Dawn” and a release date of 25th August.

Formed in 2015 in Cardiff, Wales, Holding Absence hit the ground running, releasing a collection of singles that soon caught the attention of US based label, Sharptone Records. Plagued by constant line up changes, the band withstood a period of uncertainty- just as material that would make up their debut album was finishing in the studio.

Persistence and resolve characterise this group however, and the band were able to release their self-titled debut in March of 2019 to critical and commercial success. Often praised for their introspective, raw emotional lyrics and sound, Holding Absence have brought their music to the masses- featuring at Download Festival and supporting such acts as, Counterparts and Sleeping With Sirens.

Holding Absence’s second studio album, The Greatest Mistake of My Life, continued the band’s impressive momentum, again earning critical praise despite, by the album’s release, no original members of the band were left. After a relentless period of touring in support of the record, Holding Absence have excited their fanbase by announcing the details of their third album, which is sure to bring the group sustained success.

‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, our third full-length album, will be released on August 25th through @sharptonerecs .

Watch the new music video for ‘False Dawn’ and preorder the album now at https://t.co/Q5FzZxvkZq pic.twitter.com/wZVgB8BhSE

— Holding Absence (@HoldingAbsence) May 20, 2023

In addition to their new releases, Holding Absence will be taking part in this year’s Slam Dunk Festival in Hatfield (sold out) and Leeds, as well as featuring at the 2000Trees Festival in July. The band recently finished a successful, yet intimate UK headlining tour in February, with Australian hardcore act Void of Vision.

Find tickets to Holding Absence’s festival runs here. You can also preorder the new album here.

Slam Dunk:

28/05/2023 – Temple Newsam House and Gardens – Leeds

2000Trees:

05-09/07/2023 – Upcote Farm – Cheltenham

‘Afterlife‘ dropped earlier today accompanied with official video by Zebrafish Media, known for their previous work for the likes of All Time Low, Circa Waves, Sum 41, Pendulum, Architects, and many more. The personel behind the music clip include Lewis Carter (director and editor), Jens Nielsen (producer), James Norbury (executive producer) and Nicholas Lee-Shield (DOP). You can buy and stream the single here.

Holding Absence proudly presents ‘Afterlife’, the second single from the forthcoming full-length album ‘The Greatest Mistake Of My Life’, out April 16th 2021 on @sharptonerecs.

Buy/stream ‘Afterlife’ now and preorder the album at https://t.co/PtLKBPdM8B pic.twitter.com/wbKRWqmsgq

— Holding Absence (@HoldingAbsence) January 15, 2021

‘Afterlife‘ is the second promotional single from their forthcoming album The Greatest Mistake Of My Life coming out in April via SharpTone Records. Back in October 2020 the Welsh band announced the release day of the record alongside the single ‘Beyond Belief‘. Holding Absence premiered two other tracks last year ‘Gravity‘ and ‘Birdcage‘ that appear to be standalone tracks not featured on their future record. The experimental/alternative rock outfit shared the following about The Greatest Mistake Of My Life:

“This album is about telling stories that are presented through the lens of hindsight, regret and looking back. There are songs that celebrate life when faced with death, and others that speak to the choices we make about how we live our lives. The fear of love, newfound respect for life and the covering up of depression are all subjects that reat their head. The Greatest Mistake Of My Life excercises emotion in many waysm and that was an important thing for us to do, because emotion isnt’ rigid – it’s not just love or joy or sadness – it’s a lot of things.”

The upcoming album is available to pre-order here on standard CD and LP as well as limited edition coloured vinyl, casettes and all sorts of merch bundles.

 

 

 

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

 

Публикация, споделена от Holding Absence (@holdingabsence)

Holding Absence formed back in 2015 in Cardiff and quickly build a respectable reputation as one of the most exciting new bands in the UK. The quartet joined the ranks of SharpTone Records in 2017 and released This Is As One, a split EP with Loathe the year after, followed immediately by their self-titled debut full-studio album in 2019. Holding Absence have already toured with the likes of Counterparts, As It Is, Being As An Oceans and Sleeping With Sirens, alongside performing at major festicals such as Download and Slam Dunk.

After a few line-up changes, Holding Absence currently consists of James Joseph (bass), Ashley Green (drums), Lucas Woodland (vocals, keyboards) and Scott Carey (guitar). The band is currently scheduled to embark on a UK Tour with Creeper in March, although this is looking very unlikely in the current situation. In October and November they are embarking on their headline European and UK ‘Live And In Colour’ Tour, with tickets available here.

Holding Absence are currently preparing the release of their highly anticipated second album The Greatest Mistake of My Life via SharpTone Records. In support of the release the Welsh quartet are going to visit Germany, Austria, France, Netherlands and the Czech Republic before returning to the UK. Their first home ground show is in Cardiff on 28 October, with a final night booked for 6 November at London’s Electric Ballroom.

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

Публикация, споделена от Holding Absence (@holdingabsence)

Formed in 2015, Holding Absence immediately got the attention of the industry with their This Is As One split EP with Loathe from 2018 and debut self-titled record from 2019. Two years, one memorable Download performance and numerous gigs later, the Welsh outfit is ready to drop their second album The Greatest Mistake of My Life on 15 April 2021. Hailed as one of the most promising contemporary UK bands, and SharpTone Records’ secret weapon for the future, Holding Absence spent 2020 building on their reputation and expanding their audience.

Apart from acting as one of the virtual headliners of the 2020 Heavy Music Awards, the band also released three exciting new singles. Back in March the post-hardcore/alternative rock outfit dropped the two standalone tracks ‘Gravity‘ followed immediately by ‘Birdcage‘ in April. Their latest track ‘Beyond Belief‘ came out as first promo single in October 2020 in line with the original album and UK Tour Announcement. Just yesterday Holding Absence confirmed the release date for their second official single and track #4 from the upcoming record for this Friday, 15 January. The song is called ‘Afterlife‘ and is available to pre-save here or set a reminder for the video premiere.

 

 

 

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

 

  Публикация, споделена от Holding Absence (@holdingabsence)

Straight from releasing their debut record Self Care, Yours Truly are gradually becoming a fan and media favourites, and determined to expand their audience in the UK. Backed by none others than Australia’s finest UNFD, the rising outfit has been hailed by the renowned label as the “world’s most striking acts in pop-punk“.

Self Care came out on 18 September 2020 and peaked straight to #19 at Australia’s main Album Chart. With four massive promotional singles released last year, the record also received very favourable reviews from the leading media outlets. Setting the tone for the worldwide praise, Kerrang! gave it 4/5 examining the much needed positivity of record and the rising band, “bursting out of high school and graduating to the trials and tribulations that come with being young and in a band – facing those burgeoning doubts, vanquishing them, and chronicling the process on this debut album“.

UK Friends We are joining @HoldingAbsence on their tour this oct/nov. We can’t wait to share Self Care with you in better times. Tickets at https://t.co/3AjEwlRa6T pic.twitter.com/fZSg6KId4B

— Yours Truly (@YoursTruly_Band) January 11, 2021

The full list of UK dates is shown below, with tickets available here:
28/10/2021 – Y Plas – Cardiff
29/10 – O2 Academy – Oxford
30/10 – O2 Institute – Birmingham
31/10 – Leadmill – Sheffield
02/11 – Garage 2 – Glasgow
03/11 – Think Tank – Newcastle
04/11 – O2 Academy – Manchester
06/11 – Electric Ballroom – London

The announcement came out yesterday with the ambiguous caption “Coming in 2021” and no further details whether it concerns full studio albums or standalone singles. The list included the four UK acts with highly anticipated new releases, alongside American heavyweights Miss May I, Bleeding Through and We Came As Romans, Japanese metalcore flagmen Crystal Lake, and Aussie punk outfit Stepson. Four extra slots seem to be reserved as “To Be Announced” so we can expect more news coming soon.

Coming in 2021:@DONBROCO @wecameasromans @missmayiband @HoldingAbsence @stepsonpunk @dyingwishhc @heartofgold_88 @loatheasone @CAPTIVES_UK @bleedingthrough @kingdomofgiants @Broadside_ @156Silence @CrystalLake777
TBA
TBA
TBA
&
TBA #sharptonerecords #st2021

— SharpTone Records (@sharptonerecs) January 6, 2021

From all British bands on the list, rising Welsh post-hardcore outfit Holding Absence are the only one with confirmed date for their upcoming album. Back in October 2020, the quartet released ‘Beyond Belief‘, announcing their second record The Greatest Mistake Of My Life for 16 April 2021, a quick follow-up to their 2019 critically acclaimed self-titled debut. Earlier last year the band dropped their first new single ‘Gravity‘ which was recently named on Loudwire’s ‘Best Rock Songs of 2020‘ list, calling them “one of the U.K.’s most exciting new bands“. Holding Absence were also one of the symbolic virtual headliners of the 2020 Heavy Music Awards.

As one of the most popular and commercially successful acts on SharpTone’s roster, Don Broco are also expected to drop a new album this year. Known for releasing new records every 3 year following their debut Priorities in 2012 and its follow-ups Automatic in 2015 and Technology in 2018, 2021 is set to be the Bedford outfit’s year once again. So far there have been two standalone singles from 2019 – ‘Half Man Half God‘ and ‘Action‘ but no new music from 2020. However, the last few months have seen the rock quartet frequently posting studio pics and videos alongside Grammy-awarded producer Jason Perry.

 

 

 

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

 

Публикация, споделена от DON BROCO (@donbroco)

Leeds alternative metal outfit Captives are the latest act to join SharpTone Records just a month ago, saying they were “humbled to be in the company of such talented and progressive artists” and “very excited to be working together moving forward and creating something special“. In December 2020, Captives shared their new single ‘Glass Heart‘ following the footsteps of their energetic early 2020 release ‘Falling Apart‘. The band is currently in studio getting ready to share their debut album, a highly awaited successor to their promising self-released EP Ghost Like You from 2019.

SharpTone’s announcement also included the Liverpool metal favourites Loathe, but at this stage it is uncertain if there are new singles and videos to be released or a whole album in preparation for 2021, the latter being somewhat unlikely. Less than a year ago, the band premiered their second record I Let It In And It Took Everything as one of the definite highlights of 2020 and an ambitious step forward. Widely praised and admired the album received very positive reviews, with Kerrang! naming Loathe a “genuinely impressive creative force who can do heavy in as many ways as it can present itself to them” and Louder predicting “the ambitious quintet’s rise to the pinnacle of the British heavy underground music scene“.

10 million strong and growing.

Thank you. pic.twitter.com/qht7yEdzh1

— Loathe (@loatheasone) January 2, 2021

Further updates are expected on all of the bands mentioned but 2021 is already shaping to be an exciting year for rock and metal music, with SharpTone Records planning to take central place on the scene.

Symbolic tickets were available as donations to the campaign, alongside raffle tickets for exclusive prizes offered by the participating bands. Although the festival itself was free and it is available online, everyone can still head up to their official website and donate to the noble cause and enter the prize draw until 28 December. The organisers have shared the following statement found on the About section of the website:

“The past, present and future of the UK music industry relies on grassroots, independent music venues. We at Five4Five can’t stand by and watch as our venues are left to weather the Covid-19 crisis on their own. We’re proud to partner up with the Music Venue Trust to help ensure they can reopen safely, so we can go back to the loud and sweaty spaces where it all begins. In the meantime, we’ve gathered some of the finest acts to enjoy from the comfort of your own sofa. We hope you enjoy and donate if you can.”

If everyone watching across all platforms donated £5 at https://t.co/3b3Fx5Ik9c right now we would instantly raise £2,500 to help grassroots music venues from closing forever. Please give if you can, stay safe, chins up #545Fest

— five4fivefest (@five4fivefest) December 19, 2020

The first edition of the virtual festival took place earlier this year, in the midst of the first nation-wide lockdown. Enter Shikari and Don Broco acted as the symbolic headliners of the inaugural event over 15 and 16 May, delivering special sets recorded from home. Similarly, the first shows encauraged donation and raffle tickets in support to the NHS Charities Together and managed to raise over £50,000.

The second Five4Five fest selected Brighton rockers Yonaka and Welsh outfit Holding Absence as symbolic headliners across the two days. The Friday show saw official support from The Dangerous Summer, Vukovi, Lizzy Farrall, Delaire The Liar, Rob Lynch, Holiday Oscar, Snake Eyes, Weatherstate, Tally Spear and Paper Mill, with aftershow by Zoe London. The Saturday evening performances included Normandie, GCWCF, Hacktivist, Nova Twins, Chapter And Verse, As Everything Unfolds, The Rhythm Method, Stay Free, Anavae, Haggard Cat, followed by DJ set by Tasmin Taylor.

 

 

 

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

 

Публикация, споделена от Five4FiveFest (@five4fivefest)

A wide range of exciting one-of-a-kind prizes are still available with raffle tickets starting from £5 and available until the random draw on 28 December. Most participating bands have offered exclusive items and bundles including a special merch pack from Holding Absence, sweatshirt and poster from Yonaka, Normandie’s ‘White Flag‘ jacket, an EP by Hacktivist, and many more. In addition, there are also limited prizes by previous headliners Enter Shikari (signed drumskin) and Don Broco (the last ever Rob Bot action figure), as well as a lucky dip for Architects’ merch and a shoes bundle by official partner Vans.

As confirmed in the Terms & Conditions: “Please note, when purchasing a raffle item, you are paying £5.00 to enter with the chance of winning the item. Think of it as your entry fee to the festival, and you might go home with an exclusive prize!“. All donations and purchased raffle tickets “will go directly into helping grassroots venues stay open.”

Goes without saying that gigs couldn’t possibly come sooner. Hope you have enjoyed the next best thing this weekend.#545Fest

— five4fivefest (@five4fivefest) December 19, 2020

The special guests performing live this year are The Hunna, Holding Absence, Heart of a Coward, Wargasm, Coldbones and HAWXX. Sophie K from Kerrang! Radio returns as host joined by her fellow radio presenter Jon Mahon. Amazon Music UK is the headline sponsor of the HMA20 along with returning sponsors EMP and Alianz Music Insurance, and Upset Magazine as media partner.

#HMA20 is going online!

Full, exclusive live performances by @THEHUNNABAND, @HoldingAbsence, @hoac_official, @thisiswargasmuk, @Coldbonesuk and @hawxxmusic.

Hosted by @KerrangRadio‘s @iamsophiek and @jonmahonn.

Get all the details here: https://t.co/778e4afWGG pic.twitter.com/0Gng27k727

— Heavy Music Awards (@heavymusicawds) August 17, 2020

Each year, a panel of  hundreds of industry specialists select the nominees for all categories, celebrating the best of the British and international heavy music scene, including bands, albums, producers, photographers and festivals. The final nominees are officially announced by the end of February for the public to vote online in the following months. Voters are usually entered into a prize draw for tickets for the live ceremony, which unfortunately will not take place this year due to the current restrictions.

Traditionally, an additional Young Photographer of the Year award is announced earlier when the rest of the finalists are reavealed. This year Dani Wilgress won the prize for his image of Yungblud at the O2 Academy Brixton after several thousand people voted in January.

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

This is surreal! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to vote, share and just support my photography in general over the past few years! Your help has meant the world to me and I wouldn’t have won this without your incredible support. I would particularly like to thank my family and friends for always being there for me and believing me especially when I didn’t myself. Thank you ❤️

Публикация, споделена от Dani Willgress (@daniwillgressphotography) на Фев 5, 2020 в 1:12 PST

The Heavy Music Awards were first held in 2017 at the House of Vans and immediately became a favourite annual event followed by ceremonies at KOKO in Camden in 2018 and O2 Forum Kentish Town in 2019. The main award for best UK band was previously won by Bring Me The Horizon (2019), Architects (2018) and Black Sabbath (2017). Here is the full list of the 2020 nominees:

Best Album:
BABYMETAL – Metal Galaxy
Dinosaur Pile-Up – Celebrity Mansions
Sleep Token – Sundowning
Slipknot – We Are Not Your Kind
TOOL – Fear Inoculum
While She Sleeps – So What?

Best UK Band:
Architects
Bring Me The Horizon
Bury Tomorrow
Employed to Serve
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
Venom Prison
While She Sleeps

Best International Band:
Fever 333
The Interrupters
Parkway Drive
Rammstein
Slipknot
Stray From The Path
TOOL

Best Live Band:
Amon Amarth
Behemoth
Brutus
Fever 333
Parkway Drive
Rammstein
Slipknot

Best UK Breakthrough Band:
Cold Years
Higher Power
Hot Milk
Ithaca
Lotus Eater
Nova Twins
Pengshui

Best International Breakthrough Band:
The Hu
Jesus Piece
Polaris
Simple Creatures
SKYND
Stand Atlantic
Thornhill

Best Album Artwork:
Baroness – Gold & Grey
Blood Incantation – Hidden History Of The Human Race
Bring Me The Horizon – amo
Cattle Decapitation – Death Atlas
Korn – The Nothing
Rammstein – Rammstein
Venom Prison – Samsara

Best Video:
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘In The Dark’
Creeper – ‘Born Cold’
Don Broco – ‘Action’
Enter Shikari – ‘Stop the Clocks’
Poppy ft. Fever 333 – ‘Scary Mask’
Rammstein – ‘Deutschland’
Slipknot – ‘Unsainted’

Best Festival:
2000 Trees
ArcTanGent
Bloodstock Open Air
Download Festival
Hellfest Open Air
Roadburn
Slam Dunk Festival

Best Photographer:
Sarah Louise Bennett
Corinne Cumming
Paul Harries
Jennifer McCord
Jake Owens
Sabrina Ramdoyal
Ester Segarra

Best Producer:
Carl Bown
Romesh Dodangoda
Greg Fidelman
Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood
Larry Hibbitt
George Lever
Catherine Marks