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Absu – Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.

149.00kr

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SKU: ecdb7e6a50a7 Category:

Description

First formed as Dolmen in 1989 by Shaftiel (vocals/guitar/bass) and Equitant Ifernain (lead guitar, bass), the black/death metal band Absu hails from the least likely of extreme metal watering grounds: Dallas, Texas. By 1991, the name change to Absu (borrowed from ancient Mesopotamian beliefs) had taken effect, two demos, ‘Immortal Sorcery’ and ‘Return of the Ancients’ were in the can, and independent labels were now showing interest in the self-proclaimed ‘mythological occult metal’ group. Its when drummer/vocalist Proscriptor (a.k.a. Russ R. Givens) joins that the band finds its style. Proscriptors academic lyrics and songwriting begins to dominate the band, starting with this, their first full-length debut ‘Barathrum’. In 1993 there wasn’t so common to play black metal in the States and especially to have a different sound than the dominant force of the early '90s (Norway). Having a wealthy background in the underground, Absu showed a strange attraction for the occult in their early days, something that 's obvious by a look at the original cover artwork of this album (shows the band members in corpse paint in an enactment of a satanic ritual in black and white). ‘Barathrum’ features some rough, aggressive and with explosive fast rhythms black metal that 's quite influenced by Bathory, Mayhem, Dark Throne from one side and from the American death/grind Morissound stuff on the other with some small references to the thrash metal of the '80s. Their harsh guitar sound, their screaming black metal vocals and their dark lyrical themes determine their sound as black metal, however different from their Norwegian relatives, even though this is only their debut. And this is the big advantage of this album and this band: they’ve created a somewhat personal sound from this very first full length and they continued to expand on it until they presented their finest work ‘Tara’ in 2001. Of course the use of female vocals isn't always successful here and at times, even though the album is only about 30 min. long, the songs aren’t' t so memorable and the riffing sounds weak and common at the second half of some of the tracks. Despite these the album is a very promising debut and the opening path to discover and comprehend what the band accomplished with their next releases Track listing: 1. An Involution Of Thorns 2. Descent To Acheron (Evolving Into The Progression Of Woe) 3. An Equinox Of Fathomless Disheartenment 4. The Thrice Is Greatest To Ninnigal 5. Infinite And Profane Thrones 6. Fantasizing To The Third Of The Pagan Vision (Qouth The Sky, Nevermore Act III) 7. An Evolution Of Horns

Additional information

Label

Osmose

Release Year