Candlelight Records has announced October 4th as the North American release date for ABSU’s new album titled Abzu. As previously announced, the album is part two of a planned trilogy of recordings from the Dallas-based mythological occult metal band. The album features the original works of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, BEHEMOTH, DESTROYER 666, VADER).
Recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas, Abzu finds drummer/vocalist Proscriptor and bassist/vocalist Ezezu sharing equal vocal duties and debuts the skills of new guitarist Vis Crom. Proscriptor comments, “Abzu is the first studio release to feature a co-vocalist alongside myself since our third album, The Third Storm of Cythraul. Ezezu’s vocal presentation is beyond superlative and I am overly pleased with his execution and delivery. The songwriting undertakings were equally distributed between both Ezezu and Vis Crom and I must admit it brings an admirable multiplicity to the album as a whole. The last song on the album, ‘A Song For Ea,’ was composed in six movements, as it brought the entire band together as an equivalent songwriting team. Vis Crom has definitely proven to be ABSU’s most proficient guitarist in the history of the band.”
Writing began on Abzu last autumn as Proscriptor notes, “This album has not only been the most challenging in ABSU’s discography, but the quickest paced – composition and arrangement wise. The current line-up is scattered all across the United States, so the album was physically written utilizing internet file sharing. We even rehearsed, at times, while communicating via cell phones. Lyrically, the album descends deeper into Enki’s lower world as well Thelemic and Enochian Magic(k) Systems. My lyrical architecture is extremely convoluted, so I decided to create a generalized synopsis explaining the themes behind each song. I feel these are my best poems since 2001’s Tara.”
Abzu has benefited from the unity of the band despite limited face-to-face rehearsal time. In fact only two proper rehearsals were had; one preparing for the band’s dates with Immortal earlier this year. The six-date showcase tour was the first live American dates for the band since their headline tour in June of 2009. Proscriptor confirms, “We rehearsed one week prior to the tour supporting Immortal and exactly one week after in preparation for the studio experience. I can honestly say this is the first time ABSU has rehearsed for only one week, as an entire unit, before entering the studio.”
ABSU recently returned from Finland where they performed at the Hammer Open Air Festival. “For the first time in history, we presented a complete and unabridged version of ABSU’s second album, The Sun of Tiphareth,” shares Vis Crom of the performance. “Now, we prepare with eagerness to do the same at upcoming performances in Greece and The Netherlands. The crowds at Party San and Brutal Assault can expect a different, but unique live set. After that, our sights are set on North American abyss.”
Upcoming ABSU festival performances: 8/12/2011 Party San Open Air – Schlotheim , Germany 8/13/2011 Brutal Assault Open Air – Jaromer, Czech Republic 9/10/2011 An Club – Athens , Greece 10/29/2011 Aurora Infernalis Festival - Driel, Netherlands