Absu was an American
extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. It has been defined as a "cluster of metal subgenres characterized by sonic, verbal, and visual tran ...
band from
Dallas, Texas
Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County w ...
.
[Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Absu Biography" ''Allmusic''. Macrovision Corporation.] Their demos and first album leaned towards
death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...
, but evolved more towards a
black metal
Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with t ...
and
thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...
style which includes elements of
Celtic
Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to:
Language and ethnicity
*pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia
**Celts (modern)
*Celtic languages
**Proto-Celtic language
* Celtic music
*Celtic nations
Sports Fo ...
and
folk music
Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has b ...
(and later, elements of
jazz fusion
Jazz fusion (also known as fusion and progressive jazz) is a music genre that developed in the late 1960s when musicians combined jazz harmony and jazz improvisation, improvisation with rock music, funk, and rhythm and blues. Electric guitars, ...
,
progressive rock
Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog; sometimes conflated with art rock) is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and United States through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early 1970s. Init ...
and
psychedelic music
Psychedelic music (sometimes called psychedelia) is a wide range of popular music styles and genres influenced by 1960s psychedelia, a subculture of people who used psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and cannabis to ...
) which the band calls "Mythological Occult Metal". Their lyrical themes are
esoteric
Western esotericism, also known as esotericism, esoterism, and sometimes the Western mystery tradition, is a term scholars use to categorise a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements that developed within Western society. These ideas a ...
, including themes of
Celtic
Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to:
Language and ethnicity
*pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia
**Celts (modern)
*Celtic languages
**Proto-Celtic language
* Celtic music
*Celtic nations
Sports Fo ...
,
Sumer
Sumer () is the earliest known civilization in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia (south-central Iraq), emerging during the Chalcolithic and early Bronze Ages between the sixth and fifth millennium BC. It is one of the cradles of c ...
ian and
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia ''Mesopotamíā''; ar, بِلَاد ٱلرَّافِدَيْن or ; syc, ܐܪܡ ܢܗܪ̈ܝܢ, or , ) is a historical region of Western Asia situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the F ...
n myths and legends,
alchemy
Alchemy (from Arabic: ''al-kīmiyā''; from Ancient Greek: χυμεία, ''khumeía'') is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, ...
,
numerology
Numerology (also known as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, of the letters in ...
,
magick, and
sorcery
Sorcery may refer to:
* Magic (supernatural), the application of beliefs, rituals or actions employed to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces
** Witchcraft, the practice of magical skills and abilities
* Magic in fiction, ...
.
History
The band originally formed as Dolmen in 1989, and after briefly taking the name Azathoth, they became Absu in 1991.
[Ganderson, Adam (2009). "The Secret History of Absu: From East to Wild West"]
''Terrorizer's Secret History of Black Metal''
pp. 76–77. Dark Arts Ltd. . The original members were Equitant Ifernain (guitars, bass, lyrics) and Shaftiel (guitars, vocals).[ After recording two demos and releasing an EP, they were joined by Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens – drums, vocals, lyrics), David Athron Mystica (guitars), and Black Massith (keyboards, synth, sequencing). After releasing their first album, '' Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.'', in 1993, Absu narrowed their line-up to a three piece when David Athron Mystica and Black Massith left. For live performances, they recruited the help of Mezzadurus (from the Philadelphia black/thrash band Bloodstorm) and recorded as a three piece with Shaftiel and Proscriptor sharing vocal duties and Proscriptor taking over keyboard and synth duties as well. The band stayed with this line-up for some time. With their second album, '' The Sun of Tiphareth'' (1995), the band explored Sumerian, ]Mesopotamian
Mesopotamia ''Mesopotamíā''; ar, بِلَاد ٱلرَّافِدَيْن or ; syc, ܐܪܡ ܢܗܪ̈ܝܢ, or , ) is a historical region of Western Asia situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the F ...
, and Celtic mythology
Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples.Cunliffe, Barry, (1997) ''The Ancient Celts''. Oxford, Oxford University Press , pp. 183 (religion), 202, 204–8. Like other Iron Age Europeans, Celtic peoples followed a ...
.[ The band's third album, '' The Third Storm of Cythraul'' (1997), drew inspiration mainly from Celtic mythology, and continued their intellectual approach.][Huey, Steve. "Absu - ''The Third Storm of Cythraul''"(review). ''Allmusic''. Macrovision Corporation.] Over the next four years, Equitant and Proscriptor worked with the ambient group Equimanthorn and Absu's sole release was the EP '' In the Eyes of Ioldánach'' (1998).[
In 2001, Absu recruited a new second guitarist, Kashshapxu. The band released their fifth album that year, '' Tara'', which continued the Celtic theme of ''Cythraul'' and ''Ioldánach'', and featured ]bagpipes
Bagpipes are a woodwind instrument using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. The Great Highland bagpipes are well known, but people have played bagpipes for centuries throughout large parts of Europe, No ...
on the title track. The album is considered the band's masterpiece,[ and is described by McGovern as a ]concept album
A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Som ...
:
"The album is presented in a chronicled assembly dividing it into two phases: 'Ioldánach's Pedagogy' and 'The Cythrául Klan's Scrutiny'. Certain goals and objectives were finally accomplished with 'Tara', through exploration of our ancestral attributes and channeling divisions of pure magic within our minds and souls".
This line-up was short-lived as soon after recording ''Tara'', Equitant left due to musical differences (however, he and Proscriptor still collaborate on other projects to this day). Shortly after that, Proscriptor severely injured his hand in an accident, which required surgery to repair his hand. After almost a year of healing and therapy, he was ready to play again, but Shaftiel no longer had any interest in Absu and Kashshapxu had also left the band due to musical differences. Proscriptor then put Absu on hold and decided to work on other projects. During this period he auditioned for Slayer
Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...
, but Slayer eventually went with their original drummer, Dave Lombardo
David Lombardo (born February 16, 1965) is a Cuban-American drummer, best known as a co-founding member of American thrash metal band Slayer. He is currently playing drums with Testament, Fantômas, Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Cross, Mr. Bungl ...
. In 2005, Proscriptor and Equitant put together a collection of rare, live and unreleased Absu recordings and released it under the title '' Mythological Occult Metal: 1991–2001'' based on the suggestion of a fan.
With Absu still on hold, Proscriptor continued to work on other projects including Equimanthorn (with Equitant and members of The Soil Bleeds Black
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
; dark ambient music), Proscriptor (his own project of neo-folk
Neofolk, also known as apocalyptic folk, is a form of experimental music blending elements of folk and industrial music, which emerged in punk rock circles in the 1980s. Neofolk may either be solely acoustic or combine acoustic folk instrument ...
/classic rock
Classic rock is a US radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock (AOR) format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format comprises rock music ranging generally from the mid-1960s through the mid 1990s, primar ...
fused music), and Starchaser Network Starchaser may refer to:
* '' Starchaser: The Legend of Orin''
* Starchaser Industries, a rocket company
{{dab ...
(with Equitant and Victorious; electronic
Electronic may refer to:
*Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor
* ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal
*Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device
*Electronic co ...
art/rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
band). Additionally, he was the drummer/vocalist for Melechesh
Melechesh is an ethnically Assyrian black metal band that originated in Jerusalem and is currently based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Ashmedi started the band as a solo project in 1993. In the following year, guitarist Moloch and drummer Lord C ...
for six years (1999–2005, although he still contributes lyrics and vocals) and has done session work with Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot (; grc-x-biblical, Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης; syc, ܝܗܘܕܐ ܣܟܪܝܘܛܐ; died AD) was a disciple and one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to all four canonical gospels, Judas betraye ...
, Thornspawn, and Magnus Thorsen. Proscriptor also has his own record label, Tarot Productions.
In May 2007, Prosciptor finally announced the addition of Vastator Terrarum and Aethyris MacKay to the band. In early 2008, Absu announced they had signed with Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records is a British record label based in England and founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal ...
for future recordings, but that they would release a 7-inch EP through Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an American independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990. The label features many grindcore, death metal, metalcore and sludge metal artists.
History
The label was ...
. That EP was ''Speed N' Spikes'', a limited series featuring their first new material in seven years. In March 2008, Vastator Terrarum left and was replaced by Zawicizuz (formerly of the bands Infernal Oak, Rape Pillage Burn, and Bleed the Son). In October 2008, the band added ex- Panzram member Ezezu on bass and vocals, after completing the recording of their self-titled album, released on February 16 (Europe) and February 24 (USA), 2009, on Candlelight Records.
In September 2009, Zawicizuz left Absu and was replaced by Melissa Moore and immediately embarked on a European tour with Pantheon I, Razor of Occam and Zoroaster
Zoroaster,; fa, زرتشت, Zartosht, label=New Persian, Modern Persian; ku, زەردەشت, Zerdeşt also known as Zarathustra,, . Also known as Zarathushtra Spitama, or Ashu Zarathushtra is regarded as the spiritual founder of Zoroastria ...
.
In November 2010, Absu announced that they would be doing a six-date U.S. tour with Immortal
Immortality is the ability to live forever, or eternal life.
Immortal or Immortality may also refer to:
Film
* ''The Immortals'' (1995 film), an American crime film
* ''Immortality'', an alternate title for the 1998 British film '' The Wisdom of ...
in February 2011 as a three piece as Aethyris MacKay has left to join Pantheon I. After this tour, Absu entered the studio to record their next album, titled ''Abzu
The Abzu or Apsu ( Sumerian: ; Akkadian: ), also called (Cuneiform:, ; Sumerian: ; Akkadian: — ='water' ='deep', recorded in Greek as ), is the name for fresh water from underground aquifers which was given a religious fertilising qualit ...
'' (released in October 2011), followed up with a tour.
In 2012, they released a single through Adult Swim
Adult Swim (AS; stylized as dult swim
Dult is a village in Batala in Gurdaspur district of Punjab State, India. It is located from sub district headquarter, from district headquarter and from Sri Hargobindpur. The village is administrated by Sarpanch an elected representati ...
and often abbreviated as s is an American adult-oriented night-time cable television Television channel, channel that shares channel space with the basic cable network Cartoon Network and is programme ...
(Williams Street Records
Williams Street Records LLC is an American independent record company founded by Jason DeMarco, based in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a joint venture of Cartoon Network's Williams Street Productions and Warner Music Group ( Warner Bros. Discovery's ...
) titled "Hall of the Masters" and later a video was produced for the song, their first official promotional video
In video production, a promotional video is marketing or advertising:
Arts, media and entertainment
* Promotional recording, an audio or video recording distributed to publicize a recording
* Trailer (promotion), a commercial advertisement for a ...
in 14 years (the previous being "Mannannan" in 1998). This song was later released on a 7-inch EP, titled ''Telepaths Within Nin-Edin''. The band was working on the recording/post production for their next album, titled "Apsu" and it is unclear if the album will ever be released.
In 2017, Melissa Moore was fired from the band after coming out as transgender.
On January 27, 2020, Absu announced on their Facebook page that they will dissolve Absu after three decades of existence. The decision is, as mentioned in the farewell message.
"After meager deliberation and zero remorse, I have decided to dissolve Absu after three decades of existence. Collectively and universally speaking, this decision is finite due to insoluble circumstances, which has led to this ultimate result. No amount of time, exertion, formula or fashion can alter my verdict."
In July 2020, it was announced Proscriptor McGovern had disbanded Absu to form a new version of the band called Proscriptor McGovern's Apsû.
Discography
Albums
*'' Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.'' (1993)
*'' The Sun of Tiphareth'' (1995)
*'' The Third Storm of Cythraul'' (1997)
*'' Tara'' (2001)
*'' Absu'' (2009)
*''Abzu
The Abzu or Apsu ( Sumerian: ; Akkadian: ), also called (Cuneiform:, ; Sumerian: ; Akkadian: — ='water' ='deep', recorded in Greek as ), is the name for fresh water from underground aquifers which was given a religious fertilising qualit ...
'' (2011)
EPs
*''The Temples of Offal'' (7-inch EP, 1992)
*''...And Shineth Unto the Cold Cometh...'' (7-inch EP, 1995)
*''In the Eyes of Ioldánach'' (EP, 1998)
*''L'Attaque du Tyran: Toulouse, Le 28 Avril 1997'' (7-inch EP, 2007)
*''Split with Demonical'' (7-inch EP, 2007)
*''Speed n' Spikes No. 2'' (split 7-inch EP with Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, 2008)
*''Split with Infernal Stronghold'' (split 7-inch Flexi EP, 2011)
*''Telepaths Within Nin-Edin'' (7-inch EP, 2015)
Demos
*''Return of the Ancients'' (1991)
*''Immortal Sorcery'' (1991)
*''Infinite and Profane Thrones'' (1992)
*''Promo Tape 1993'' (1993)
Additional releases
*''In the Visions of Ioldánach'' (video, 2000)
*'' Mythological Occult Metal: 1991–2001'' (compilation album, 2005)
*"Hall of the Masters" (Internet single/video released through Adult Swim's 2012 Single Series)
*''Origin: War and Magick (Compilation of pre-Absu recordings, 2014)
Members
;Final lineup
*Proscriptor McGovern (Russley Randell Givens) – lead vocals, drums, percussion, mellotron, lyrics, arrangements (1992–2020)
*Ezezu (Paul Williamson) – bass, backing vocals (2008–2020)
;Former
*Shaftiel (Mike Kelly) – guitars, vocals (1990–2003)
*Equitant Ifernain (Ray Heflin) – guitars, bass (1990–2002)
*Gary Lindholm – guitars (1990–1992)
*Daniel Benbow – drums (1990–1992)
*Daviel Athron Mystica (Dave Ward) – guitars (1992–1993)
*Black Massith (Brian Artwick) – keyboards, synth, sequencing (1992–1993)
*Aethyris McKay (Shandy Mckay) – guitars, synthesizers (2007–2010)
*Zawicizuz (Geoffrey Sawicky) – guitars, keyboards and backing vocals (2007–2009)
*Vastator Terrarum – guitars, backing vocals (2007)
*Vis Crom (Melissa Moore) – guitars (2009–2018)
;Session/live
*Mezzadurus (Chris Gamble) – vocals, bass (1995–2002)
*Kashshapxu (Rad Davis) – guitars (2001–2003)
Timeline
References
External links
Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Absu
American black metal musical groups
American thrash metal musical groups
Heavy metal musical groups from Texas
Musical groups from Dallas
Musical groups established in 1989
1989 establishments in Texas
American musical trios