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This article is about the black metal band. For mesopotamian deity also known as Absu, see Apsû.

Absu is an black/thrash metal band from Plano, Texas, USA. Their early work leaned towards a death metal sound, but more recently they have incorporated a black and thrash metal sound with some celtic and folk music (which they call "Mythological Occult Metal"). Their lyrical themes are esoteric, ranging from Celtic myths and legends, Sumerian myths and legends, magic, weaponry, and sorcery.

Biography

Absu was formed in 1991 by Equitant Ifernain (Guitars, Bass, Lyrics) and Shaftiel (Guitars, Vocals). Shortly after that, they were joined by Proscriptor McGovern (Drums, Vocals, Lyrics), David Athron Mystica (Guitars), and Black Massith (Keyboards, Synth, Sequencing). The self-proclaimed "Mythological Occult Metal" has maintained a steady following in the extreme metal underground for a number of years now. After releasing their first album 'Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.' in 1993, Absu narrowed their line up to a three piece when David Athron Mystica and Black Massith left. For live performances, they recruited the help of Mezzadurus (from Philadelphia Black Thrashers, Bloodstorm) and recorded as a three piece with Shaftiel and Proscriptor sharing vocal duties and Proscriptor taking over keyboard and synth duties as well. The band stayed with this line up for some time.

In 2001, Absu recruited a new second guitarist, Kashshapxu. This was short lived as soon after that, Equitant left due to musical differences (however, he and Proscriptor still collaborate on other projects to this day). Shortly after that, Proscriptor severely injured his hand in an accident, which required surgery to repair his hand. After almost a year of healing and therapy, he was ready to play again but Shaftiel no longer had any interest in Absu and Kashshapxu had also left the band due to musical differences. Proscriptor then put Absu on hold and decided to work on other projects. In 2005, Proscriptor and Equitant put together a collection of rare, live and unreleased Absu recordings and released it under the title 'Mythological Occult Metal: 1991-2001'.

With Absu still on hold, Proscriptor continues to work on other projects including Equimanthorn (with Equitant and members of The Soil Bleeds Black, dark ambient music), Proscriptor (his own project of neo-folk/classic rock fused music), and Starchaser Network (with Equitant and Victorious; electronic art/rock band). Additionally, he was a full-time member of band Melechesh for six years (1999-2005) and has done session work with Judas Iscariot, Thornspawn, and Magnus Thorsen. Proscriptor also has his own record label, Tarot Productions.

In December 2006, Proscriptor announced that the new line up for Absu would be revealed in January 2007.

Slayer Audition

In 2002, Proscriptor auditioned for Slayer and came in second or third (conflicting reports), allegedly because Kerry King thought he played "too hard and too fast" after breaking two of the cymbals on the set. Proscriptor himself later stated that if he was selected, he would have only joined for one album and then stepped down. Additionally, he also believes that the entire audition deal was done to get Dave Lombardo to return to Slayer. Whether or not this was the reason, Dave did return to Slayer later that year.

Discography

Studio Releases

Barathrum: Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultul Lapidem (V.I.T.R.I.O.L.) - (1993)
The Sun of Tiphareth - (1995)
The Third Storm of Cythraul - (1997)
In the Eyes of Ioldánach [EP] - (1998)
Tara - (2001)
Mythological Occult Metal: 1991-2001 - (2005)

Additional Releases

The Temples of Offal [Demo] (1992)
...And Shineth Unto the Cold Cometh... [7" EP] (1995)
In The Visions Of Ioldánach [Video] (2000)
L'Attaque Du Tyran: Toulouse, Le 28 Avril 1997 [7" EP] (2007)

Line-up

Current members

Proscriptor McGovern - Drums, Synth, Vocals - (1992-)

Former members

Shaftiel - Guitars, Vocals - (1991-2003)
Equitant Ifernain - Guitars, Bass - (1991-2001)
Kashshapxu - Guitars - (2001-2003)
David Athron Mystica - Guitars - (1992-1993)
Black Massith - Keyboards, Synth, Sequencing - (1992-1993)

External links

ABSU Official Homepage - NOTE: Under Construction
Osmose Productions - ABSU's Record Label
Tarot Productions - Proscriptor's Record Label
Absu discography at MusicBrainz
Reviews and interviews at Chronicles of Chaos

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-'''Absu''' is an [[black metal|black]]/[[thrash metal]] band from [[Plano, Texas]], USA. Their early work leaned towards a death metal sound, but more recently they have incorporated a black and thrash metal sound with some celtic and folk music (which they call "Mythological Occult Metal"). Their lyrical themes are [[esoteric]], ranging from Celtic myths and legends, Azif's theology of the [[Necronomicon]], [[Mesopotamian mythology]] (especially under the powers of [[Dumuzi]], [[Uruk]], and the infamous Ugalla-demons), Etymology of [[Thoth]], [[Tasseomancy]], [[Magic (paranormal)|Sorcery]], and weaponry skills of Cnihthad.
+'''Absu''' is an [[black metal|black]]/[[thrash metal]] band from [[Plano, Texas]], USA. Their early work leaned towards a death metal sound, but more recently they have incorporated a black and thrash metal sound with some celtic and folk music (which they call "Mythological Occult Metal"). Their lyrical themes are [[esoteric]], ranging from Celtic myths and legends, Sumerian myths and legends, magic, weaponry, and sorcery.
 ==Biography==
-Absu was formed in 1991 by Equitant Ifernain (Guitars, Bass, Lyrics) and Shaftiel (Guitars, Vocals). Shortly after that, they were joined by Proscriptor McGovern (Drums, Vocals, Lyrics), David Athron Mystica (Guitars), and Black Massith (Keyboards, Synth, Sequencing). The self-proclaimed "Mythological Occult Metal" has maintained a steady following in the extreme metal underground for a number of years now. After releasing their first album 'Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.' in 1993, Absu narrowed their line up to a three piece when David Athron Mystica and Black Massith left. For live performances, they recruited the help of Mezzadurus (from Philadelphia Black Thrashers, Bloodstorm) and recorded as a three piece with Shaftiel and Proscriptor sharing vocal duties and Proscriptor taking over keyboard and synth duties as well.
+Absu was formed in 1991 by Equitant Ifernain (Guitars, Bass, Lyrics) and Shaftiel (Guitars, Vocals). Shortly after that, they were joined by Proscriptor McGovern (Drums, Vocals, Lyrics), David Athron Mystica (Guitars), and Black Massith (Keyboards, Synth, Sequencing). The self-proclaimed "Mythological Occult Metal" has maintained a steady following in the extreme metal underground for a number of years now. After releasing their first album 'Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L.' in 1993, Absu narrowed their line up to a three piece when David Athron Mystica and Black Massith left.  For live performances, they recruited the help of Mezzadurus (from Philadelphia Black Thrashers, Bloodstorm) and recorded as a three piece with Shaftiel and Proscriptor sharing vocal duties and Proscriptor taking over keyboard and synth duties as well.  The band stayed with this line up for some time.
-In 2001, Absu recruited a new second guitarist, Kashshapxu. This was short lived as shortly after that, Equitant left due to musical differences (however, he and Proscriptor still collaborate on other projects to this day). Soon after that, Proscriptor severely injured his hand in an accident, which required surgery to repair his hand. After almost a year of healing and therapy, he was ready to play again but Shaftiel no longer had any interest in Absu and Kashshapxu had also left the band due to musical differences. Proscriptor put Absu on hold and decided to work on other projects. In 2005, Proscriptor and Equitant put together a collection of rare, live and unreleased Absu recordings and released it under the title 'Mythological Occult Metal: 1991-2001'.
+In 2001, Absu recruited a new second guitarist, Kashshapxu.  This was short lived as soon after that, Equitant left due to musical differences (however, he and Proscriptor still collaborate on other projects to this day).  Shortly after that, Proscriptor severely injured his hand in an accident, which required surgery to repair his hand.  After almost a year of healing and therapy, he was ready to play again but Shaftiel no longer had any interest in Absu and Kashshapxu had also left the band due to musical differences.  Proscriptor then put Absu on hold and decided to work on other projects.  In 2005, Proscriptor and Equitant put together a collection of rare, live and unreleased Absu recordings and released it under the title 'Mythological Occult Metal: 1991-2001'.
 With Absu still on hold, Proscriptor continues to work on other projects including [[Equimanthorn]] (with Equitant and members of [[The Soil Bleeds Black]], dark ambient music), [[Proscriptor]] (his own project of neo-folk/classic rock fused music), and [[Starchaser Network]] (with Equitant and Victorious; electronic art/rock band).  Additionally, he was a full-time member of band [[Melechesh]] for six years (1999-2005) and has done session work with [[Judas Iscariot]], [[Thornspawn]], and [[Magnus Thorsen]].  Proscriptor also has his own record label, [[Tarot Productions]].