ABSU „ABSU”

Music: Black/Thrash Metal
Country: USA
Web site: www.myspace.com/absu


Cool Songs: Between the Absu of Eridu & Erech, Night Fire Canonization, Amy, Magic(k) Square Cipher

One of the last holdouts of premiere black metal on the once mighty Osmose Productions, ABSU has relocated to the new kings of black metal releases—Candlelight Records. Their newest black offering , the first in eight years, bears only the title “Absu.” Said album contains all the elements established during the group’s seventeen-year existence such as hyper-fast drumming, Middle Eastern music scales, ritualistic scenarios, Proscriptor McGovern’s venomous snarl and a mix of undeniably heavy black and thrash metal. Plus a few friends in MELECHESH, MAYHEM, KING DIAMOND, FIRSTBORN and ENTHRONED contribute to this mystical mayhem.

ABSU stands apart from the Viking/satanic groups that characterize most bands in black metal. The group pens lyrics pertaining to Celtic and ancient Sumerian mythology and magic. Their prior recording, “Tara” focused entirely on Celtic themes. Absu focuses entirely on Sumerian themes. Drummer/vocalist, Proscriptor displays a deep knowledge of the Sumerian pantheon, scribing titles such as “Ye Uttuku Spells” and “Nunbarshegunu.” Instrumental passages consisting of noise, world instruments, as well as keyboard parts paint dark, arcane visuals consistent with the concepts presented. ABSU also plays Middle Eastern scales on “Night Fire Canonization” and other segments found through the album, further authenticating the subject matter.

“Absu” contains plenty of worldly instrumentation and thick atmosphere, but this is no album for World Market stores. At the forefront is the thrashing black metal those in the know have come to expect. “Between The Absu of Eridu & Erech” puts the album into motion with Proscriptor commanding the alternating pace and style. The following track “Night Fire Canonization” never relents in its leather-and-spikes swift metal attack. “Girra’s Temple” and “Amy” feature sharp-to-the-touch guitar sounds, while certain parts in “Magic(k) Square Cipher” are arguably the band’s fastest ever.

After an eight-year vacation, Proscriptor proves he not only still has it; he is at the top of a mountain of talented black metal drummers. “Absu” not only contains some of the group’s most fantastic themes and complex rhythms, it is the group’s most ambitious album of their career. J.T. Longoria’s mix perfectly conveys a balanced sound to all the instruments heard on the album. “Absu” also found its greatest balance between atmosphere and crushing metal. Absu truly picked the correct title for this one, for this is the career masterpiece their fans have been waiting for!

note: 10/10

Tracklist

1 Between the Absu of Eridu & Erech
2. Night Fire Canonization
3. Amy
4. Nunbarshegunu
5. 13 Globes
6. …of the Dead Who Never Rest in Their Tombs Are the Attendance of Familiar Spirits Including: A.) Diversified Signs Inscribed/B.) Our Earth of Black/C.) Voor
7. Magic(k) Square Cipher
8. In the Name of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee
9. Girra's Temple
10. Those of the Void Will Re-Enter
11. Sceptre Command
12. Ye Uttuku Spells
13. Twix Yesterday, the Day & the Morrow
Total playing time 53:47

Line-up

Proscriptor McGovern – Vocals, Drums
Aethyris MacKay- Guitars, Bass, Analog Synthesizers, Backing Vocals
Zawicizuz- Guitars, Keyboards
Ezezu – Bass, Vocals