The Third Storm of Cythraul
Absu · 1997
37 min · 9 tracks · thrash metal
A tempestuous blend of thrash and black metal steeped in esoteric themes and intricate musicality.
Top tracks — play these first
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Highland Tyrant Attack — This track stands out with its relentless tempo and aggressive vocals, showcasing the band's ability to merge thrash intensity with black metal's atmospheric nuances.
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A Magician's Lapis-Lazuli — Its short yet powerful structure encapsulates the album's thematic depth, revealing Absu's knack for blending technicality with concise songwriting.
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...of Celtic Fire, We Are Born / Terminus (...in the Eyes of Ioldánach) — This epic closing track masterfully weaves intricate melodies with potent lyrical imagery, embodying the album's esoteric themes and musical complexity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a strong blend of thrash and black metal with intricate compositions and thematic depth.
What we noticed
- The album opens with an instrumental track that sets a dark, atmospheric tone before launching into aggressive thrash riffs.
- Each song features rapid tempo changes, often shifting from blast beats to slower, more melodic sections.
- The lyrics incorporate esoteric themes and mythological references, which are reflected in the complex song structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- intense bursts of chaotic energy
- short tracks with relentless pace
- epic storytelling through intricate themes
- immersive journeys through dark atmospheres
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, melodic transitions
- want laid-back listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'The Third Storm of Cythraul' was released in January 1997, Absu had already established themselves as a distinctive force in the underground metal scene. This album followed their previous work, 'The Sun of Tiphareth,' and marked a further exploration into complex lyrical themes and musicianship that would define their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Demolition Hammer· Sepultura· Annihilator
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prelusion to Cythrául / ...and Shineth unto the Cold Cometh... 6:48
- 2 Highland Tyrant Attack 4:58
- 3 A Magician's Lapis-Lazuli 3:08
- 4 Swords and Leather 3:07
- 5 The Winter Zephyr (...Within Kingdoms of Mist) 2:59
- 6 Morbid Scream 2:10
- 7 Customs of Tasseomancy (Quoth the Sky, Nevermore), Act I 3:57
- 8 Intelligence Towards the Crown 1:56
- 9 ...of Celtic Fire, We Are Born / Terminus (...in the Eyes of Ioldánach) 8:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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