Doomed Confessionary: Jeff, Erik & David (Absorb)
Photo credit: Brittany Vaughan Photography
Absorb is a five-piece death/doom metal band from Hamilton, Canada.
Forged in 2013, Absorb – Jeff Luckel (lead guitar), David Eckmeier (rhythm guitar), Jason Luckel (bass), and Aaron Barthe (drums) – set out to cultivate a sound that was slow, dissonant, and quakingly heavy. After cycling through a number of vocalists, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place with the addition of vocalist Erik Thorkildsen in 2022. Since then, Absorb has found its true sound, a perfect fit with Thorkildsen’s dominating vocal delivery.
Following the band’s 2023’s »Rot« EP, »Smog« marks a profound evolution for the band, embracing denser, more atmospheric compositions, that add new layers of depth to their monolithically heavy sound. Absorb’s music is a full-body visceral encounter, drawing from influences such as Primitive Man, Thou, and Cough yet forging a sound that leaves listeners stunned.
A three-track, twenty-five-minute aural assault, »Smog« is the next chapter in the band’s inexorable voyage to push their music beyond the limitations of death and doom. »Smog« EP dropped on July 26th, 2024 via Hypaethral Records.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Jeff: We are Absorb. A 5 piece death sludge band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and yes, we smoke weed.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Jeff: There are so many bands out there right now doing their own thing that it’s hard to get your music out to the public.
Exposure is always challenging. There’s a double-edged sword to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc., in that it’s never been easier to get your music to the ears of new listeners. At the same time – it’s tough to convert potential new listeners/fans to click on your song and give you the time of day. We’re trying to make that more compelling to ensure we aren’t wasting 6-8 mins of someone’s time because they were gracious enough to lend us their ears.
Erik: Another challenge is that Absorb has had a rotating vocalist for much of the band’s history. I intend to stop that trend and believe I’m the chosen one.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Jeff: The latest album, Smog. It came together quickly with all of our writing input, and it turned out to be our best album yet.
What was your biggest regret?
Erik: Not exercising enough.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Erik: La Rhune Mountain Doomfest is a recent contender for “best show.” It’s a grassroots heavy music festival run by local promoters. We played its inaugural weekend this year and were impressed by the amount of effort and care that went into it. Also, it was a chance to cross-promote our music to people who may not usually check us out on a given show throughout the year.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Erik: When a venue provides drink tickets.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Jeff: Larry June, Westside Gunn.
David: Gutalax, Mortician, Daevar.
Erik: Boris Brejcha, Gojira, Bilmuri, Genghis Tron, Cave In.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Jeff: Ass, cash, or grass. Nobody plays for free.
Erik: Listening to different types of music enhances your overall palette as a musician. Metaphorically, if you put a meal together and it only has 1-2 ingredients, it might be bland or at least not an exciting dish. But when you start adding in different spices, cooking techniques, etc. — that’s where the flavour starts to come alive.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Jeff: Warm banana bread.
David: Pop music.
Erik: Chumbawamba, Cheesecake, Chalupas.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Hamilton / Ontario?
Erik: Most of the genre types in Hamilton are somewhat siloed with not a ton of cross-pollination. Heavy music in Erik: Hamilton, however, always seems to have a healthy amount of genre crossover. Our friends Loversteeth come to mind regarding this. For example, they typically book a December charity show, and it’s a curated lineup of rock, metal, stoner, etc. bands that get heavier as the night goes on. These kinds of shows are my favourite because I love listening to many different music types.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Jeff: We are keeping it pretty local for the rest of the year while we work on our next album. So the GTA and surrounding areas.
Erik: We’re hoping to tour East of Ontario next year, and hopefully get down into the US for some shows as well.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Jeff: Right now, we are piecing together a full length and hope to be in the studio by early next year.
How can people best support your band?
Jeff: Come out to shows, buy merch.
Erik: If you hear a song and enjoy it, please share with a couple friends who may enjoy it as well.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Jeff: My namea jeef.
David: Thank you, I love you.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well