Absolute is a Japanese group name shared by several acts with different styles and histories. The name is used by a French fusion-metal band from Epinay-sur-Seine, formed in 1998 from the remains of Noisy Underground and Zork; by Belgian DJ and producer Mike Dierickx, who records as M.I.K.E. and under names including Solar Factor, The Blackmaster, Return Of The Native, Plastic Boy and Push; by a North London new wave and synthpop act produced for Reset Records, known for the single “T.V Glare”; by a Frankfurt group that is also referred to as AbsolutΣ; by a Bulgarian thrash metal band; and by a two-piece soul group made up of Carolyn Griffey and Tiara Le Macks, which releases one album on Solar/Epic in 1990.

Overview

The Japanese tag applies to a group name rather than a single act. The name appears across rapcore, trance, progressive trance, frenchcore and thrash metal contexts, as well as in fusion metal, synthpop and soul, showing that it is attached to unrelated artists in different countries and genres.

French fusion-metal band

One Absolute is a fusion-metal band from Epinay-sur-Seine, north of Paris. It forms in 1998 from two earlier bands, Noisy Underground and Zork.

M.I.K.E. / Mike Dierickx

Another Absolute is the alias of Mike Dierickx, also known previously as Dirk Dierickx, who lives in Antwerp, Belgium. He begins DJing at 16 under the name DJ Mike, later uses M.I.K.E. as a producer name, and then changes his real name to Mike in 2000. He starts recording after handing a first demo to USA Import in Antwerp at 18, and his first record, “Vision Act”, appears on Atom in 1992. After a series of releases, he signs with Lightning in 1996. His Push single “Universal Nation” becomes a major trance track in 1998, wins dance awards, and is widely regarded as a classic of the trance era. Follow-up Push releases “Strange World” and “The Legacy” also perform strongly, with the latter entering the UK singles chart at 21.

He receives several music awards, including awards for best club singles and best dance producer, and reaches the UK top 40 six times. He also remixes artists including Sinéad O’Connor, Moby, Bomfunk MC’s, the Bloodhound Gang and Mauro Picotto. As a DJ, he plays venues and events including Gatecrasher and Godskitchen in the UK, Fura and Vel Farre in Japan, Dance Valley and Trance Energy in the Netherlands, Spirit and Spundae in the US, as well as dates in Australia, New Zealand and Ibiza. He holds residencies at The Gallery in London and at Illusion in Belgium for his label nights.

In 1999 he founds Scanner Records, later renamed Scanner Digital. He also concentrates on Club Elite / Armada Music, a label for his own productions under different aliases, with a focus on tech house grooves and electro-trance.

Other acts using the name

Absolute also refers to a North London synthpop and new wave band produced by Vince Clarke and Eric Radcliffe’s Reset Records, whose single “T.V Glare” becomes a dancefloor hit in the mid-1980s. It also names a Bulgarian thrash metal band, and a soul duo made up of Carolyn Griffey and Tiara Le Macks, who release one album in 1990 on Solar/Epic Records.