artistlaunch	Normally I don't venture into the realms of the three piece rock band any more. Strange, considering the fact that I started out as big fan of the three piece format. Nr 1 was the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the very first album I ever bought was "Axis Bold as Love". In the second place came "Cream", and a good third place was occupied by the band "Taste", featuring the late great Rory Gallagher on guitar and vocals. Jethro Tull was basically a three piece band with this amazing front man who also played flute turning them into a quartet. The early Tull sound with Mick Abrahams on guitar was very much to my liking. When listening to these guys I had already begun to find the Beatles a bit too soft and melodic! This thing is getting out of hand here, I'm supposed to be writing about the last gig I was at. Anyway, the reason I went was because my bruv was over visting with his son, who's a guitarist and we thought it would be fun to check out a live band. The drummer in the band is Thomas Calis, a colleague of mine at a music school where I teach, and with whom I've had the pleasure of playing on several occasions. He warned me that it might be too loud and not exactly my bag, but we settled in with some local brew (the brewery in Nijmegen is called "Heaven"). Absence play all original work written by front man and guitarist Piet van Tienen. The first half of the show I used the free earplugs placed on the bar, but by the second half I had abandoned them. All three musicians were excellent players,and the material was well written and performed. You could sense the connection these guys had playing together, which they've been doing for some ten years now. I have to say that though this is a genre I don't usually listen to any more I thorougly enjoyed the whole evening. One of the songs was called Already in Heaven, and that is what this felt like. If the video footage of the gig comes on line I'll post it. I forgot to mention: the bass playing is in the very capable hands of Maarten Dekkers. John D. www.john-devitt.com
	Backline36	Real rock from Nijmegen. This trio does understand that rock and roll does not belong in the big arenas. At least that is what the inlay tells us. Absence is the kind of band that makes you want to go to the pub. Great! And maybe they are just too modest or are they protecting themselves from criticism? Anyway, after three studio albums it was about time to release a live one. Recorded in a blues cafe in front of just the right audience. From a musical point of view they managed to create their own sound in the last couple of years. And that is what you hear on this recording. Of course, there are lots of bands like Absence. But not so many bands stick around this long. The vocals could have sounded a little rougher to get that real rock and roll feeling, at least on this live recording. And, because this is a live-album, the artwork deserved a little more attention. At least a couple of photos would have shown that we are dealing here with a live-compilation. Now this album is nothing more than a registration of a gig, and even for the fans, nothing more than that. Backline36, summer 2008
	Keysandchords	From Nijmegen this recording was sent to us. Once, as they recall, this band started under the name of Armpit. But this name doesn't tell you anything about the musical direction they are heading. Piet van Tienen (guitar and vocals), Maarten Dekkers (bass and vocals) and Thomas Calis (drums and vocals) is Absence. After a couple of years they changed their name from Armpit to Absence but this name doesn't give you any clue either. But everything changes once you listen to the first notes from the song 'Black/White'. Immediately we're drawn back to the early days with bands like Cream, Jimi Hendrix and more recently and still active Pat Travers and Robin Trower. 'Booze' shows even more what this band is all about and if you like great guitar playing this is the album for you. As in other songs like 'Festival' and 'Addict', there are once again lots of musical quotes referring to their idols. This record could have been made in the seventies. It is a real live recording without any studio tricks. And I have to admit that the tape quality is very good. And that is something you can't say about a lot of other live albums. I had never heard of Absence before but that has changed overnight. They delivered a great album. The only thing I ask myself is; is there anybody who wants to hear this music nowadays? There are so many other bands in this territory. Check Frontier Records for instance. Keysandchords, April 2008
	3voor12	...Of course, there is plenty of space in Absence for the musicians to show us their individual qualities. Thomas Calis shows off in the cold sweaty 'Toxic' and a rotating climax towards the end of the first set. The song 'Bass Companion' is build around a mind-boggling bass solo played by Maarten Dekkers. Lead singer / guitar player Piet van Tienen on the other hand (who also has a pretty good voice by the way) every now and then acts like a (modest) guitar God. No pyrotechnics or poses but tasteful and functional musicianship...These guys love their job and are skilled musicians... Maarten Wagemakers, 12 March 2008 - Full review
	Backline	The third Album from the band Absence is called 104.5. This was the frequency of their favourite radio station in Iceland, the late Radio Reykjavik. The previous album, Gift, got a lot of critical acclaim, mostly because of the routine and experience they gained during the ten years of playing with the band. Meanwhile, in the song Doing Great, the band tells you that it is all about having fun and that they don't want to waste their musical talent. They have already shown that Absence is a tight band as well on record as they are on stage. And they are not afraid to play a fretless bass-solo or a ballad. I only had some problems after a while with the lead vocals. The hard rock songs are well played with a metal edge and a heavy seventies singer sauce. This is what Absence is all about. It is the thing these men want to do, it's their power and they are doing great. Backline summer 2007
	Keysandchords	A while ago we received three albums from one and the same band. This Dutch ensemble is now called Absence, while they started as Armpit back in 1997. The three-piece band plays solid rock and is compared to bands such as Sjako! and Jack Bruce. Chronologically: XXX is from 2000, Gift was released in 2003 and their latest album dates from 2006 and is called 104.5. They are playing in this line-up now for over a decade and collected some pretty good reviews in a number of magazines, including OOR. It is not my cup of tea but I know when to appreciate good live rock music. Also, the band is growing musically and every album is a bit better than the one before. 104.5 - the title claims to be a tribute to the late rock station Radio Reykjavik - contains twelve relatively short but well composed rock songs. The thing I liked most about these records is the open-hearted lyrics brought to you with a bright voice by Piet van Tienen (who also plays the guitar). For the real lover of music Absence is worth a try. Keysandchords 21 April 2007
	www.cesarsite.com	Last Sunday I went to the album presentation of Absence in Trianon in Nijmegen, Holland. This is one of the bands with drummer Thomas Calis. He used to be my drum teacher. I started drumming when I was eighteen and quitted six years later but on days like these, seeing a live band, my hands start itching again. Absence is a tasty rock threesome playing self-written songs in a set with a lot of variation. The third CD has just been released and is called 104.5, Radio Reykjavik's frequency. The first song 'Shut up and make me smile' pays tribute to this radio station. Check Absence's site. Thomas also plays drums in the band Superfloor and he used to hit the battery in the late Blues Clinic. Cesarsite 23 January 2007
	Rock Tribune	104.5 is already the third album from this hard rockin' threesome Absence from the eastern part of Holland. Since "Gift" (2003) nothing really changed actually. But then again, that is not really necessary. Singer/guitar player/songwriter Piet van Tienen sticks to his guns resulting in an album full of seventies rock. His voice still reminds me of Biff Byford and as a guitar player he likes to put his energy in a couple of classic rock riffs. Roaring rhythm guitar parts in "Toxic" and "Addict" remind me of artists such as Robin Trower and the title of the bluesy instrumental "Ten Years After" again shows the love for bands that where not afraid to take some risks when on stage. Bass player Maarten Dekkers and drummer Thomas Calis also deserve some attention as their contribution fits more than perfectly within the definition of a 'power trio'. The serious and sometimes humorous lyrics are once again great, and as a whole the album "104.5" is even a little bit better than "Gift". He guys, why don't you come over to Flanders to play us a couple of those three hour concerts? Rock Tribune march 2007
	Gelderlander	'The rockers play a tight set and seem to have a strong backbone......the jury agree about one thing: Absence can call itself the best live band of the eastern part of Holland.' Gelderlander, june 7 / 2004
	Bernlef	'Soul. Only absence shows its existence.' Bernlef - translation from 'Buiten is het maandag'
	Groovemaster webzine	'Their sound is comparable to the Jack Bruce Band, from the 'How's Tricks' period. Exciting rock with a strong late seventies sound, filled with great breaks. Also late eighties Dutch rock acts such as Sweet D'Buster, Powerplay and Sjako! sprung to mind. Because of the great fat production this 'retro' CD sounds magnificent. A great new band with an old sound.' the NL Groovemaster webzine (page 17)
	Rock Tribune	'Absence is in a pleasant way a combination of well-structured songs and jams. 'Gift' is not a world-class album but a lot better than the average recording nowadays. And I bet they play your ass off when on stage.' Rock Tribune, January 2004
	Oor	'So, what's the story? That Absence plays hard rock with a metal edge like I heard a thousand times before but the band sounds really great. Songs with a smart structure, marvellously played with power and flexibility. Oor, nr. 2 January 2004
	Headache	'Usually I try not to compare to other bands but when it's as good and strong as these guys are, I just can't help it. NWOBHM fans - especially Legend fans - go to www.hardhatarea.com/armpit.' Headache, january/february 2004
	Fret	'Personally it made me think of 'George Baker meets Guns 'n' Roses in the garage'. But before you lose side of track: Absence plays plain, raw and from time to time exciting rock. And it is easy to listen to. Gift is not a bad album at all.' Fret, november 2003
	Backline	'Melodic hardrock is starting to get extinct but Absence is going to put an end to that. In a very strong way! - Gentleman, great job!' Backline
	Gelderlander	'Absence calls its music 'massive melodic rock'. And that is just the way it sounds. Absence plays with a lot of routine....' Gelderlander
	SKCG	'The band sounds flexable and very tight.' Stichting voor Kunst en Cultuur Gelderland
	Music Maker	'They sound experienced, strong and flexable. Absence is a good band that writes beautiful songs.' Music Maker

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