With new drummer Gavin Harrison, and inspired by the friendly Opeth, Steven Wilson showed himself on this album clearly metal-heavier, without losing the penchant for catchy pop melodies. The result was the band's most successful album, selling over 100,000 units. With tracks like 'Trains', 'Blackest Eyes', 'The Sound Of Muzak' or 'Lips Of Ashes', 'In Absentia' contains some of their best known and most popular songs.