Absu

Abzu (Candlelight)

Abzu arrives as the meaty middle section of a three-album trilogy by Absu, a “mythological occult metal” band whose obsession with pagan idioms translates into ear-searing thrash – all of which makes it difficult to equate with their homebase of the uncelestial Plano. Guided by mainstay drummer/singer Proscriptor McGovern (Russ Givens), Abzu is as breakneck as it is meticulous. On this, the band’s eighth album, lightning riffs and McGovern’s crypt-keeper wail give way to equally complex acoustic segues, best explored on the six-part album closer “A Song for Ea,” where the method to McGovern’s brilliant madness is laid bare. (Absu has canceled its Chaos in Tejas appearance due to Proscriptor’s emergency knee surgery.)

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This article appears in June 1 • 2012.

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