Tampa, Florida-based melodic thrash metal band THE ABSENCE has issued the following update:

"Well, a lot of people have written us asking how the drummer search is going. We had some good drummers show up to the audition on [February] 3rd. We video taped all of them and watched the videos. After all the auditions we found a guy who just nailed the songs very well and we have been rehearsing with him every week since. His name is Justin Reynolds. The kid is wicked good and keeps time very well without a click track. That is a quality you don't find often in a drummer.

"So now that the drummer search is over, get ready for THE ABSENCE to start touring again and bringing headbanging metal to your town! We are all excited and feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We can't wait to hit the road soon.

"Thanks to all the drummers who came out to the audition. We appreciate your efforts."

THE ABSENCE's cover of TESTAMENT's "Into the Pit" has been posted on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's sophomore CD, "Riders of the Plague", which was released on August 7, 2007 via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded at Mana Studios in Florida with Swedish producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE). Mixing duties were handled by Jonas at his Black Lounge studios in Avesta, Sweden. The CD features guest appearances by guitarists James Murphy (DEATH, TESTAMENT), Jonas Kjellgren, Per Nilsson (SCAR SYMMETRY) and Santiago Dobles (AGHORA) as well as guest vocals by Jonas Granvik (WITHOUT GRIEF, EDGE OF SANITY).

THE ABSENCE guitarist Peter Joseph has begun pre-production on his debut solo release, due out summer 2008. The album will be tracked at various studios in Florida and mixed at Black Lounge (Sweden) by Jonas Kjellgren (CARNAL FORGE, SCAR SYMMETRY). Studio reports and video diaries will be posted at this location.