Oak Pantheon – The Absence
Release Date: 20th January 2023
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Metal, Death Metal, Folk, Sludge.
FFO: Woods of Desolation, Amiensus, Fen.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Hailing from the Viking touched land of Minnesota, Oak Pantheon present their 3rd full-length release, The Absence. The group formed in 2011 by core members Sami Sati (guitar, vocals) and Tanner Swenson (guitar, vocals); they set about staying quite busy until around 2018 at which time things grew quiet. Around the time of the pandemic, Sati and Swenson began to work on the material which would eventually become their latest work. The Absence introduces listeners to new members Jake Spanier (bass) and Andy Anderson (drums). According to the press release, “The album showcases the band’s most eclectic yet most concise material to date.” That seems to be a fair summation.
First, I want to start by saying the talent of these musicians is evident on every track. In particular, the guitar work is impressive. There are elements of classical guitar which balance out the heavy riffs quite nicely. Sometimes it gets a tad proggy which I appreciate; however, it is not to the point that it would be off-putting to folks who may not wade into those waters. Spanier and Anderson have a tight rhythm section which rounds everything out and emphasizes the heaviness factor. Sati and Swenson deliver vocals that traverse into multiple styles; melodic parts can easily transition into more guttural delivery. Very impressive, my good sirs.
Is this an eclectic album? Most certainly. The band set out to achieve that dynamic, and they deliver in that regard. One would be hard-pressed not to find something which appeals to them on The Absence. A track that stood out to me in terms of showcasing the best Oak Pantheon offers would be ‘Old Yarn’. Much like the rug in The Big Lebowski, this track really ties it all together. It boasts gorgeous vocals balanced with harsh yowls and growls, interesting structural transitions, and downright beautiful guitar. Talk about ending your work on a high note!
If you like a listen that will keep you guessing where it will go next, then this is an album you don’t want to miss. There were times in which I struggled with the massive amounts of different material to unpack. To me, it lacked a certain level of cohesiveness. That being said, I don’t think I could honestly say this is not an overall solid record. Ultimately, we all know a review is an opinion and opinions are like assholes; everybody has one. Oak Pantheon may be your next favorite band, so be sure to check them out and judge for yourself. 
(3.5 / 5)
