ARCANA’s New LP, ‘Absence,’ a Striking & Powerful Metamorphosis

ARCANA (photo provided)

The new album ‘Absence’ by Buffalo alternative metal band ARCANA is a fascinating and powerful work of art, fusing together vision with technical skill and raw emotion. Heavy, haunting and atmospheric, the nearly 40-minute LP both exudes passion and hits like an anvil.

The album’s songs are not only to be heard but felt. There’s a hypnotic element to ARCANA’s music, which, at first, seeps into your brain before ultimately hitting you in the gut.

Yet, as commanding an LP as ‘Absence’ is, ARCANA admits the record’s release brings with it a sense of relief, as it also marks the unveiling of a change in musical direction for the band, which formed in 2020.

“We’re feeling relieved that the LP is finally out,” the group said in an interview with 1120 Press. “It was very overdue and we’re glad that we can finally reveal the songwriting style we’re transitioning into, as it definitely differs from our early work.

“We wanted to begin writing in a heavier style than our EP Deprived. When we started the band, we weren't really listening to a whole lot of metal music; it was mainly hard rock at the heaviest. As we began listening to heavier music, our influences began to shift, and that started to reflect in our songwriting. Second, we wanted to embrace the juxtaposition of heavy/chuggy guitar with clean/ambient guitar. Especially writing sections where both are used simultaneously.”

ARCANA, in fact, wastes little time on this record introducing its new sonic direction, as the LP’s opening track, ‘Darkmatter,’ immediately and perfectly sets the tone for what lies ahead.

'Absence' album cover art

From beginning to end, ‘Absence’ pushes, pulls, and rages with vicious energy. There is muscle and melody, ferocity and pensivity, urgency and intention. And all of it is expertly delivered with skilled musicianship.

Extremely effective, too, is ARCANA’s use of alternating vocals, shifting between clean and scream, an approach that adds an intriguing dimension to this band.

“The dual vocal approach is also a reflection of our shifting musical influences like stated previously. With wanting to move towards a heavier sound, we felt that incorporating screams would serve that purpose well. Both our lead vocalist Ashlea and our bassist Chris contribute to the screams. It’s already somewhat ‘rare’ to have a female lead vocalist in a metal band, but to also do screams takes it a step further. We feel this sets us apart from most of the bands in the Buffalo/Rochester scene.”

As dynamic musically as ‘Absence’ is, there is also depth to this album from a lyrical and subject-matter standpoint, which adds to its strength.

“The title of the LP is ‘Absence,’ and this is an overarching motif throughout the record,” the band said. “This motif is used regarding themes such as the absence of life, death, loved ones, and reality. The record also explores themes of purpose, emotion, the afterlife, and reflection.”

Though ‘Absence’ was released less than a month ago, ARCANA is already eyeing the record’s follow-up.

“Frostbelt Entertainment’s Frostfest 2026 served as a pseudo album release show for us, as the record dropped just a week before” on April 24, said the band. “Near future plans are most centered around beginning to write LP-2.”

Catch ARCANA this summer when the band opens in August for Until I Wake at Montage Music Hall. (Details HERE) You can also follow ARCANA on the band’s socials on Instagram HERE, as well as its Facebook page and on YouTube.