Absolva

Formed in the early 2010s in northern England, Absolva continues the British heavy metal tradition by blending melodic riffs, twin guitars and clear vocals delivered by Chris Appleton. The band emerged after Fury UK went on hiatus around Chris Appleton and drummer Martin McNee, and gradually forged an identity between traditional heavy metal and power‑metal influences, featuring fast tempos, structured choruses and highly harmonic guitar work. The arrival of Luke Appleton, who had also played with Iced Earth and Fury UK, reinforced the two‑guitar songwriting that remains central to Absolva’s sound. The group released its first run of studio albums beginning with Flames of Justice in 2012, followed by Anthems to the Dead (2014), Never a Good Day to Die (2015), Defiance (2017), Side by Side (2020) and Fire in the Sky (2022), alongside live releases. In addition to club and festival appearances across the UK and Europe, Absolva regularly serve as the backing band for singer Blaze Bayley, which has shaped a stage‑oriented repertoire firmly rooted in classic heavy aesthetics.