Absu, Absu

Having reigned with a gauntleted fist for the latter part of the ’90s and early 2000, Absu have seen their fair share of obstacles the last few years. With their self-titled Absu, the band not only returns with a new cast of characters, but a newly charged and re-energized sound. The gauntleted destruction of years past isn’t rusty one bit as the “mythological occult” band of madmen unleash 13 tracks of unholy death metal tinged and furious delivery hell bent on laying waste to any in their path.

Amongst the pummeling drum work of founder Proscripter is a darkened blend of textures, black metal elements, progressive notes and sheer, unadulterated soul shattering havoc. Members of bands such as Mayhem, Enthroned and King Diamond (to name a few) lend their services in the name of all things evil on what could very well be the band’s greatest performance to date.

Between The Absu Of Eridu & Erech
The opening song starts off quickly with pummeling drums, driving riffs, dramatic keyboard work and raw vocals. The pace is unrelenting as the track progresses, dragging you down into the dark. There’s actually a real decent groove around :40 before all hell breaks loose at the one minute turn. The drum work is stellar (as expected) and is really the backbone for shredding leads, bruising riffs and thundering rhythms. I’m digging the military march just before Absu unleash another torrent of blackened blasts to end out the song.

Night Fire Canonization
“Night Fire Canonization” keeps the pace at the speed of demons with massive riffs and galloping drum work. It’s gonna be tough to follow up the stellar opening track, but Absu aren’t even thinking about that as they eviscerate your soul with caustic, textured and blackened death thrash. Groove filled rhythms clash with raw, black metal blasts creating a driving, head banging experience.

Amy
This next one is full of charred, mid-tempo thrash through and through. From the opening chug to the final scream, “Amy” is sure to be a hit with all thrash enthusiasts. It’s got a feel reminiscent of the latest from Kreator that works well with the band’s textured production.

Nunbarshegunu
“Nunbarshegunu” starts off with swirling guitars and raw vocals before pummeling drums come in from every direction. There are some great moments of pile driving mayhem from Proscripter as the rest of the group do their damnedest to keep up with his animalistic fills and blasts. There are some nice keyboard additions that fit in nicely amongst the overall raw sound.

13 Globes
“13 Globes” is a beastly track complete with massive riffs, shredding leads, manic blasts and dark textures. This one is full throttle from the very start and rarely lets up long enough for demon hooves to stand still. There are several tempo shifts that will have you off balanced and vulnerable for the next attack. This is one hell of a song!

…Of The Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are The Attendance Of Familiar Spirits…
Besides having one of the longer song titles in recent memories, this one is also broken down into three parts: “Diversified Signs Inscribed”, “Our Earth Of Black” and “Voor.” The first third of the track is a bit slower paced, yet still fairly aggressive with it’s rhythm and drum fills. The riffing is a bit lighter and airy. There’s a slick lead at :45 that’s pretty damned impressive. The second portion of the track has a much more 70s progressive feel with warbling organs and slower tempo. The guitars are soaring, yet still lean toward the darker end. The final third of the track is all atmospheric noise and distant guitar squeels for the last few minutes of the 7+ minute song.

Magic(k) Square Cipher
“Magic(k) Square Cipher” swells and builds to a blustering massive of riffs and drums over the first 30 or so seconds before the band settles into a groove with lots of double bass. The one minute mark sees a dramatic shift in a more technical direction with slick guitars and leaping tempo shifts. This is one creative track that never even hears a bit of vocal work until the two minute mark. There are more rhythms changes and bludgeoning riffs on this track than most bands have in a full album’s worth of material. I’m amazed by the groups blending of progressive textures with blackened death metal — floored even.

In The Name Of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee
I tried typing out the title to this song several times, but feared I’d have a typo in that last word, but then again would anyone really notice? I can tell you that one thing you’ll surely notice about this next track is the unrelenting bludgeoning Proscripter gives his drum kit. I don’t think he lets up for a moment on this dark, evil song. The shredding solo at 1:33 has enough demonic power behind it to rend wings from angels in a cloud of spraying blood. It’s just that sick. Awesome song!

Girra’s Temple
Distant guitars start this off before being swallowed whole by massive, evil riffing and beastial drum work. I love the layered vocals in this one. This feels like a call to arms for all of Satan’s heathen army. The drum work throughout the song, even behind the sick lead at 1:30 is amazing. Blackened textures cover this song from start to bludgeoning finish.

Those Of The Void Will Re-Enter
This next one starts off slowly with distant atmospherics and keyboard work. That changes at :44 when melancholic riffing and steady drums come in abruptly. Full on black metal destruction gets the black blood boiling just after the one minute mark with driving riffs and demonic drums. There’s a brief respite of atmospheric and acoustic guitars before a wildly executed lead explodes at 4:03 and frays muscle tissue left and right for the ensuing 40 seconds, ending that track in a frenzy of activity.

Sceptre Command
“Sceptre Command” starts off with a mid-tempo thrash base as raw vocals spit out the lyrics over top of driving guitars and rapid fire drumming. The pace does pick up after the first minute has passed with manic rhythms and blackened riffs. The track ends just as powerfully as it started.

Ye Uttuku Spells
I love the change in style with this one. The vocals are at the forefront in the opening 20 seconds as guitars and drums hit spastically in the background. Swirling riffs come in shortly after as rapid fire drums also make a presence. Throughout the song you’ll be hit with moments of clarity and then quickly blindsided by bone crushing blasts the next. I love the levels of experimentation within each track. It’s enough to make every song unique without taking away from the overall feel of the album.

Twix Yesterday, The Day & The Morrow
The final track is simply 50 seconds of ambient noise, sound effect and static.

~ ~ ~

Absu have already firmly cemented their status in the skull of metal lore, but their latest self-titled effort may even cause history to pale in comparison. Mixing dark tones, death metal blasts, black metal atmospherics and 70s progressive signatures into a tight packet of demonic mayhem, the group is no less than at their best with Absu. Get it. Now.

Favorite Tracks:
All of them

Additional Notes:
N/A