The Absence

In the Fall of 2001, long time friends Patrick Pintavalle and Jamie Stewart grew tired of the stagnancy of their previous efforts with various bands and the demise of the once powerful Tampa Bay metal scene. Initially, The Absence was started as a means to exercise their love for European styled metal, especially Scandinavian. This would result in the two working together both on guitar, writing riffs and melodies. They started posting flyers at local music stores with little to no response. After a year or more of trying to find people and getting nowhere, grind drummer Justin Grant, approached the two. The three began to rehearse immediately. With Patrick playing guitar, Jamie on vocals and Justin now on drums, they started going through old riffs that Patrick and Jamie had used two years earlier. While doing this they met with various guitarists and bassist before landing with Christopher Tolan on guitar. For the next 9-10 months, the four would begin the grueling process of getting a set together for their first show, which came in the Fall of 2002, opening for Atlanta's MASTODON. In the spring of 2003, Patrick and Jamie found themselves with a dilemma- inner conflict withi... more...