Absu
Absu · 2009
53 min · 13 tracks · thrash metal
A whirlwind of thrash and black metal infused with esoteric themes and intricate arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Night Fire Canonization — This track exemplifies the album’s blend of speed and melodic intricacy, showcasing rapid-fire riffs alongside haunting melodies that encapsulate the band's unique sound.
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...of the Dead Who Never Rest in Their Tombs Are the Attendance of Familiar Spirits… Including: a) Diversified Signs Inscribed / b) Our Earth of Black / c) Voor — As the album's centerpiece, this sprawling composition weaves together multiple musical ideas, representing Absu's ambition to create an epic narrative experience through their music.
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Magic(k) Square Cipher — With its complex time signatures and shifting tempos, this track highlights the band’s technical prowess while delving into mystical themes that resonate throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Absu showcases intricate compositions and thematic depth, establishing a strong identity within progressive black metal.
What we noticed
- The album features complex song structures with multiple tempo changes within individual tracks, often shifting from fast-paced thrash to slower, atmospheric sections.
- Several tracks incorporate intricate arrangements that blend melodic elements with aggressive riffs, creating a layered sound.
- The lyrics are thematically dense, drawing on esoteric and mythological references that unfold over the course of the album, particularly in longer tracks like '…of the Dead Who Never Rest in Their T…
- The last three tracks exhibit a gradual decrease in tempo and intensity, allowing for a more reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- esoteric themes and intricate arrangements
- intense bursts of frenetic energy
- cathartic release through chaos
- short tracks with relentless pace
Maybe skip if you
- prefer soft, melodic sounds
- seek straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, Absu is the fifth studio album by the band, marking a return after a six-year hiatus since their previous album, Tara. This period was characterized by lineup changes and a shift towards more complex compositions, reflecting the band's ambition to blend different metal subgenres while maintaining their occult lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Demolition Hammer· Sepultura· Annihilator
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Between the Absu of Eridu & Erech 4:08
- 2 Night Fire Canonization 3:19
- 3 Amy 4:54
- 4 Nunbarshegunu 3:05
- 5 13 Globes 4:46
- 6 …of the Dead Who Never Rest in Their Tombs Are the Attendance of Familiar Spirits… Including: a) Diversified Signs Inscribed / b) Our Earth of Black / c) Voor 7:03
- 7 Magic(k) Square Cipher 4:48
- 8 In the Name of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee 3:25
- 9 Girra’s Temple 2:38
- 10 Those of the Void Will Re‐Enter 4:56
- 11 Sceptre Command 5:00
- 12 Ye Uttuku Spells 4:41
- 13 Twix Yesterday, the Day & the Morrow 0:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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