“The Absence is Present” A conversation with Jeremy Kling.
- By Jake Student

The Absence is going crazy right now! Tours everywhere and a new album that just dropped. This Metal Blade band is on their way to bigger things everyday, and the progress they are making as a band is undeniably astounding. They got their start in Tampa, Florida, now they have taken over the country with their brutal melodies and relentless touring. I took some time with drummer Jeremy Kling to discuss what makes him tick…

Jake: So you must be pretty excited that your album “Riders of the Plague” dropped earlier this month. How do you think your CD compares to your previous releases?
Jeremy: I’ll say the cliché thing. It’s like one of your kids; you don’t like one more than the other per se, but you definitely see strong points within each album. I think with this one it definitely has a much more mature sound and the production value is completely different. The whole sound has different tones and it came out to be really good, great recording.
Jake: So the band really stepped it up a bit on the production quality?
Jeremy:  Absolutely. We did a lot in pre-production and we had a lot of really good ideas to implement.
Jake: You guys are touring like blood-thirsty animals right now. Who are you touring with and how are you enjoying life on the road?
Jeremy: We just got off the tour with Vital Remains and Unmerciful; both of those bands are fantastic, check em out. We are doing the Metal Blade 25th Anniversary Tour through Canada and The US, Cannibal Corpse, Black Dahlia Murder, Goatwhore and more. That in itself is gonna be completely ridiculous. I think touring is a good time, I love to travel and I think all the rest of us like to travel too. It’s awesome to wake up every morning in a different city.
Jake: You’ve been on Metal Blade for a few years now. How has working with them been for you?
Jeremy: Everybody over there is real good people, easy to get along with. I’ve heard horror stories from other labels and I feel blessed that we haven’t run into any of those.
Jake: As a drummer, how important is progression for you? Are you constantly pushing yourself to reach new ground?
Jeremy: Yes, if I don’t then I’m stale. I don’t wanna be stale at my age, I’ll be stale when I’m dead.
Jake: How much do you play in any given week?
Jeremy: Personally, I play a lot. I have a practice pad set up in my house, I got a cover band I play and I give lessons, so I play pretty regularly.
Jake: When did you discover your love for drumming?

Jeremy: When I was two, my dad set me down and said “Hey, play a beat with my guitar. I just need a solid beat.” I learned pretty quick and I was hooked.
Jake: Alright, it’s time for some word association:

Metal – Aluminum and Titanium
War –   Oprah Winfrey and Bush
Peace -  John Lennon
Beer -   Europe, those crazy Vikings! Man that’s all they do.
Groupies -  Nah, no thanks, keep em.
Fans of the Band – Love you guys
Politics – Try not to get involved, headache
Life – Live it man, wake up!

Jake: What is the future of The Absence, what can your diehard fans look forward to?
Jeremy: More melodic and more brutal over the years. I don’t see us letting up. Hopefully, no cookie cutter crap in the future for us.