RivetSkull – Absence Of Time

RivetSkull
Absence Of Time
Label: RivetSkull
Out: 10 September 2025
Playing time: 37:21

The album ‘Absence Of Time’ is hardly new anymore. The Seattle-based band RivetSkull released it back in February last year. A new ATMOS mix was used for the current re-release. This should improve the sound quality. However, as I didn’t receive a promo invitation last year, it’s probably legitimated to listen to the album a little more closely now. I didn’t receive any information about the predecessor ‘Trail Of Souls: Samsara’ either. So I can only refer to the debut ‘Trail Of Souls’. And I liked it a lot – fine Classic Hard Rock. And there is only one change to the line-up from back then. Johnny Massey now plays the bass.

The US boys kick off straight away with ‘Hellbound’. In a classic Judas Priest manner. Drums and bass boom. ‘Isolation’ continues with a somewhat slower sound, more rhythmic. With “Not Gonna Run”, RivetSkull poach more in Hard Rock realms. ‘My Darkest Hour’ spreads a dark mood. Sometimes hard, sometimes soft, the song is mostly in the (power) ballad range. One of the album’s highlights. On the other hand, ‘Eyes Of A Fallen Angel’ is back in full swing. Keyboard sounds can always be heard in the background. The song is crowned by a great guitar solo. ‘The King Is Dead’ stomps along rhythmically. It’s a little reminiscent of Deep Purple from the early years. ‘Swimming In Mortality’ is introduced by powerful drums before the mid-tempo riffs dominate again. While the tempo picks up again a little on ‘Time Will Tell’, the final song ‘The Unwinnable War’ initially seems a little calmer. Characterised by drum rolls and calm vocals. But just when you think this is the second ballad, you are proved wrong by the increase in tempo. A great guitar solo can be heard one last time.

If you want to categorise ‘Absence Of Time’, then the general term New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal / Hard Rock would probably fit best. Although this categorisation says everything and nothing, it describes the music of RivetSkull. Raw, unfiltered and without any frills. And without the kind of slacks, you could hear on their debut. I can’t say whether the sound is any better. At least my copy sounds quite weak.

RivetSkull – Hellbound: https://youtu.be/ni_tSu1HsIg?si=ktrrPnbODE2T2BBj

Lineup:

Chad McMurray – Vocals
Mark Plog – Guitar
Michael Robson – Drums
Johnny Massey – Bass

Track list:

• Hellbound
• Isolation
• Not Gonna Run
• My Darkest Hour
• Eyes Of A Fallen Angel
• The King Is Dead
• Swimming In Mortality
• Time Will Tell
• The Unwinnable War