Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The Texas-based Absu didn't start out as a black metal band. When Absu's original lineup was formed in 1989 (back when they were still going by Dolmen), Scandinavian black metal was in its infancy -- and Absu had more of an early American death metal/thrash metal type of sound. In 1989, the vast majority of headbangers in the United States didn't even know what black metal was. But black metal has come a long way since 1989, and Absu's work became increasingly Scandinavian-influenced as they went along. Black metal, in fact, is the main ingredient on this 2008 release; there is some thrash metal in Absu's sound, but the material is black metal more than anything. From the ominous harmonies to the sinister-sounding rasp vocals to the blastbeats, this 53-minute CD could easily be mistaken for the work of a Norwegian or Swedish black metal band. But Absu are definitely from the United States, and the phrase "black metal band from Texas" is certainly an attention-grabber in light of the fact that the Lone Star State isn't exactly considered a black metal hotbed. Although this album has its melodic moments, it would be a mistake to think of the material as symphonic black metal. The disc isn't as consistently nuanced or as intricate as symphonic black metal recordings, and more often than not, Absu thrives on brute force -- which, of course, is what the majority of black metal bands (and death metal bands) are known for doing. This CD isn't as intriguing or risk-taking as Absu's 2001 release Tara, which is a more essential recording. But Absu is at least decent, and it is good to see an American band making a contribution to black metal.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
From $17.49/month
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Russ Givens, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Régis Lant, BackgroundVocals - Blasphemer, Guitar - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Russ Givens, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Régis Lant, BackgroundVocals - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Russ Givens, Composer - Archon Vorskaath, BackgroundVocals
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Shandy McKay, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Bruno Fernandes, Horn - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, Guitar, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Russ Givens, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Russ Givens, Composer - Archon Vorskaath, BackgroundVocals
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Shandy McKay, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Michael Harris, Guitar - Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Russ Givens, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Rune Eriksen, Guitar - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Russ Givens, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Michael Harris, Guitar - Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Shandy McKay, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Shandy McKay, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Shandy McKay, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Absu, Producer, MainArtist - Proscriptor McGovern, Drums, LeadVocals - Aethyris MacKay, Guitar, AcousticGuitar, BassGuitar - Zawicizuz, Guitar - Raymond Dillard Heflin, Composer
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Album review
The Texas-based Absu didn't start out as a black metal band. When Absu's original lineup was formed in 1989 (back when they were still going by Dolmen), Scandinavian black metal was in its infancy -- and Absu had more of an early American death metal/thrash metal type of sound. In 1989, the vast majority of headbangers in the United States didn't even know what black metal was. But black metal has come a long way since 1989, and Absu's work became increasingly Scandinavian-influenced as they went along. Black metal, in fact, is the main ingredient on this 2008 release; there is some thrash metal in Absu's sound, but the material is black metal more than anything. From the ominous harmonies to the sinister-sounding rasp vocals to the blastbeats, this 53-minute CD could easily be mistaken for the work of a Norwegian or Swedish black metal band. But Absu are definitely from the United States, and the phrase "black metal band from Texas" is certainly an attention-grabber in light of the fact that the Lone Star State isn't exactly considered a black metal hotbed. Although this album has its melodic moments, it would be a mistake to think of the material as symphonic black metal. The disc isn't as consistently nuanced or as intricate as symphonic black metal recordings, and more often than not, Absu thrives on brute force -- which, of course, is what the majority of black metal bands (and death metal bands) are known for doing. This CD isn't as intriguing or risk-taking as Absu's 2001 release Tara, which is a more essential recording. But Absu is at least decent, and it is good to see an American band making a contribution to black metal.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:53:40
- Main artists: Absu
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Candlelight
- Genre: Metal
2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records 2009 Tanglade Ltd t/a Candlelight Records
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.
