December 11th, 2025 - A Mystical Misfit Trapped in the Halls of Silence

 

Good evening and happy Thursday metal maniacs, evil-doers, and craft beer freaks!  The Meista here starting the weekend off right with a pairing of "In The Halls Of Silence", the latest, wonderfully kick-ass album by the indelible Absolon and a hoppy, juicy, and citrusy Mystical Misfit Hazy IPA from Mother Earth Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Absolon
• Title: "In The Halls Of Silence" 
• Recorded: 2024 at Everywhere Studios
• Release date: October 31st, 2025 (4th full-length studio album by Absolon)
• Record company: No Life 'til Metal Records / Roxx Records
• Production: Bill Bafford and Ken Pike 
• Album cover art: 
• Personnel: Marc Muchnik (keyboards), Wayne Noon (drums), Ken Pike (lead vocals), and Alex Repetti (guitars, bass, and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, progressive metal, symphonic power metal
• Sound: Led by visionary Ken Pike (vocals, songwriting, production), Absolon blends traditional heavy metal with more progressive elements. If you are a fan of bands like Dio, Fates Warning, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, etc., then you will totally dig this album! Ken is joined by three incredibly talented musicians: guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, and sound engineer Alex Repetti, (Infinite Spectrum, Severed Angel, and Tension Rising) and monster drummer Wayne Noon (Project Resurrect and Severed Angel). The sound on "In The Halls Of Silence" is thoughtful, dynamic, and complex, yet totally rocking!  It is characterized by soaring and fiery guitars, thunderous and powerful drumming, and Pike's amazing vocal acrobatics!  Every track really packs a punch!
• Major themes: Darkness, the paranormal, good vs. evil, death, the passage of time, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Stand In The Spotlight"
2. "Kill The Lights"
3. "In The Halls Of Silence"
4. "Light The Flame"
5. "House On The Hill"
6. "Til Death Do Us Part"
7. "No Goodbyes"
8. "Turn Back Time"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Mother Earth Brew Company (Vista, California)
• Website: http://motherearthbrewco.com/
• Brew: Mystical Misfit Hazy IPA
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.2%
• IBUs: 25
• Ingredients: Pale 2-Row, Wheat malt, and oats with Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, and Vic Secret hops
• Pour: The Mystical Misfit Hazy IPA pours a very hazy, bright golden yellow hue with a half-finger, bright white head with good retention and soapy lacing.
• Nose: Fruit forward, the nose is citrusy, tropical, floral, herbal, dank, and malty.  It is chalk full of notes of orange juice and zest, grapefruit rind, nectarine, stone fruit (peach and apricot), lime, pineapple, fresh mango, cannabis, wet pine needles, soft caramel malt, and a hint of booze.
• Taste: The taste of the Mystical Misfit Hazy IPA follows the nose with tropical fruit and citrus, and lighter floral and dank hops, and sweet malt flavors.  There are big notes of orange juice and zest, nectarine, mango, passionfruit, grapefruit juice, tangerine, dried apricot, a hint of strawberry, light pine, resin, and a hint of booze with a strong, malty backbone with mild bitterness.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Mystical Misfit Hazy IPA is crisp and juicy, yet soft, pillowy, and creamy with smooth, slightly bittersweet finish.

Overall pairing: The Mystical Misfit Hazy IPA from Mother Earth Brewing Company is a great brew to accompany the amazing metal onslaught that is Absolon's "In The Halls Of Silence"!  Those bright, tropical flavors go great with the soaring vocals, guitar solos, and ethereal keys, while the hoppier notes go great with the darker elements and the malty backbone is right in line with the powerful rhythm section!  'Nuff said! 

Make sure to check out my interview with Absolon from last year here: https://youtu.be/9C7H4vBxjbs 

Cheers and hails!!