Band: Absu
Title: Absu
Label: Candlelight Records
Distribution: PHD
Release date: 09/03/2009
Review: CD

I don’t easily use the word ‘legendary’ (except for Bathory, of course!), but I guess the ‘international’ band with Texan roots called Absu reaches a certain level of immortality. Absu were born in 1991, but in fact the members did play together before under different names. During the first half of the nineties, the band recorded a couple of demo tapes, and in 1993 the first official recording got released, Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.. Throughout the years, the band released a few other splendid (mini-) albums, but this self-called new release isn’t but the fifth. The last full length, Tara, was released in 2001, so indeed it took another eight years.
Remaining member Proscriptor McGovern recruited former Infernal Oak-members Aethyris and Zawicizuz for the recording of this new epos, which was produced and engineered by the band (at the Nomad Recording Studios), and mixed by J.T. Longoria (Solitude Aeternus, King Diamond). Several guest musicians participated, among whom Nornagest (Enthroned, The Beast, etc), Michael Harris (ex-Napalm Death, Scorn, Unseen Terror, …), Melechesh-colleague and friend Ashmedi, Blasphemer (Mayhem, MeZZerschmitt, Ava Inferi, Aura Noir, Amicus amongst others) and Vorskaath (ex-Varathron, Agatus, Zemial).
For fifty four minutes, Absu brings what we’re used to: very varying, eccentric, thrashy and occult Black Metal. This time, the music sounds much heavier and more aggressive than before, but the band still maintains its rather unique approach. Absu still inject the energetic tracks with lots of tempo-changes, breaks and hooks, Thrash-, Death- and progressive elements, a decent yet raw sound and psychedelic melodies. The overall tempo is faster than before, but the musical concept is quite similar to Tara’s. A contrast is the lyrical one, which does not deal with Celtic-oriented themes anymore, yet with occultism, mythology and magic from the Sumerian empires.
Even though Absu’s Black Metal isn’t that accessible, in fact it never was, this band succeeds to write and perform with creativity, professionalism and inspiration. This self-called album may be the strongest to date and therefore it is highly recommended to fans of fast and thrashy yet technical and atmospheric Black Metal.

88/100

Ivan Tibos.