OFFICIAL NEWSBLOG OF PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ

Thursday, March 22, 2012

From METALSUCKS.NET: Proscriptor #8 of 25 Top Metal Drummers

Here

From the article:

It’s ludicrous that a musician with the undeniable skills and tireless work ethic of Russley Randell Givens, AKA Sir Proscriptor McGovern, is not a mega-superstar in the genre. Maybe it’s his chosen musical path (mainly black metal); maybe it’s the revolving door existence of his main band, Absu; or maybe it’s an unfortunate accident that damaged his hands and required surgery that has kept this insanely ridiculous skin-basher off the lips of the average metalhead. Who knows? All I know is that this is a serious oversight that needs to be rectified ASAP.


If you are not familiar with McGovern, the first question you have to ask is, “Where the hell do I start?” Best known for his twenty-plus years as the drummer, lead vocalist, lyricist, and conceptual artist for underground Texas black metal legends, Absu, it’s probably best to go with the 2001 classic, Tara. The third track, “Pillars Of Mercy,” immediately thrusts the listener into a vortex of drumming supremacy. And then, when you realize he’s also screaming vocals over the top of his hummingbird heart drumming, you shake your head in disbelief. And it’s even more impressive to know that he always pulls the combo off live.

McGovern’s drumming style can best be described as blinding fast double bass-driven insanity delivered in a seemingly sane fashion. That is, you can actually hear everything he throws down. It’s not the usual garbage can black metal sloppiness that many BM drummers fall prey to under the guise of lo-fi hipsterism. No, this is BM thrashiness for fans of Gene Hoglan or Dave Lombardo, who want something faster and decidedly more crushing.