After the poor year progressive rock had in 2002, with Karmakanic’s ‘Entering the Spectra’ as the only real highlight, 2003 starts off most promising with the release of Arena’s ‘Contagion’ and Porcupine Tree’s ‘In Absentia’. The new Porcupine Tree album already made its way into several top 10 lists over the year 2002, because the album had a prior release in the United States. ‘In Absentia’ is a very strong album. Brilliant songs are alternated with supporting tracks that create a certain atmosphere. Although most songs could be regarded as a combination of the delicate ‘Stupid Dream’ and the powerful ‘Light Bulb Sun’, Porcupine Tree have made progress.

The vocal harmonies are better than ever and the way these vocal sections are integrated into strong and powerful parts carried by profound drumming (Gavin Harrison) and heavy metal guitar riffs (Steve Wilson) sounds stronger than before. `In Absentia` might best be described as the ultimate combination of `Stupid Dream` and `Light Bulb Sun`. Although Porcupine Tree is trying to gain commercial success, Steve Wilson definitely didn’t lose his originality.