Probably the most notable thing about Absu is the fact their black metal madness originates from Texas. Generally I associate most Texan bands with being Pantera clones (well, some of the lesser known ones) and the fact that this trio has gone their evil merry way says something about their motif. Absu's sound can easily be traced back to the earlier days of thrash, as influences such as Kreator, Sodom, and Bathory are very evident (especially in "The Coming of War"). Proscriptor's drumming has a lot of neat little kick-drum tricks and he's smooth enough to change the tempo every few seconds without disturbing the flow. Moreover, Absu isn't afflicted with the Blast Beat Bacteria, which infects way too many bands. There are flourishes of atmospheric touches, such as the instrumental (and terribly cool) "Our Lust for Lunar Plains (Nox Luna Inlustris)" or "A Quest into the 77th Novel". Absu isn't exactly beating down doors of ingenuity, but they are proficient enough to appeal to the black metal demon within.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 07/1998

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Reverting to a more thrashy form, Absu fails for the most part to ignite much of my attention with The Third Storm of Cythraul. The band chose to use a speedy, old-school thrash approach with a bit less of that keyboard ambience of their past (with a few exceptions--"Customs of Tasseomancy" tends to incorporate those elements), but unfortunately the result is a very monotonous album. After awhile Proscriptor McGovern's strangled sounding rasp tends to really just be detrimental while the lifeless thrash blurs by. Unless your soul is actually owned by a member of this band, you are under no obligation to have this in your collection.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 01/1999

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