OFFICIAL NEWSBLOG OF PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ

Sunday, August 4, 2024

ABSU Unites With ZEMIAL For “The Sun Of Tiphareth” for 30th Anniversary Tour

Mythological occult metal act & Agonia Records recording act ABSU will return to the stage in 2025 for a series of concert performances to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the band’s acclaimed second album, “The Sun of Tiphareth.” Joining Proscriptor will be none other than Greek veterans ZEMIAL in completing the formidable new line–up. Hell’s Heroes VII Festival in Houston, Texas (March 20–22) will host the first major festival performance followed by additional (global) dates to be announced.

Proscriptor remarks: “2025 will memorialize 30 years of ABSU’s sophomore invocation ‘The Sun of Tiphareth,’ an album that represents the metaphysical association between phenomenon and noumenon – illusory versus tangible. Within its augmented sense of arcane determination, this album furthered the mythological occult metal approach. Of chaos, the Deep will respond.”

He continues: “My alliance with Vorskaath (ex–Agatus/ex–Varathron) dates back to 1991, as we have been traversing parallel paths ever since – culminating in my joining ZEMIAL on stage in 2019 and Vorskaath joining PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ as keyboardist for the sole album under that name. Therefore, it made utter sense to unite ZEMIAL’s power trio with this reincarnation of ABSU. Ultimately, it is a great honor to feature Vorskaath and company, in joining me, to convey these Tipharethian rites on stage.”

Vorskaath recently said about the upcoming collaboration:
“’The Sun of Tiphareth’ represents my personal favorite album by ABSU, and through my close contact with Proscriptor, Shaftiel and Equitant, I was able to witness its inceptive creation: from the rehearsal stages until the album’s official release. I look forward to present an accurately thunderous rendition of this black/thrash colossus.”

To coincide with the performances, a deluxe 30th anniversary edition release is scheduled next year via Osmose Productions.

Photo Acknowledgments:
Michał Kaczkowski
Tsvetelin Krastev
Stefan Raduta

ABSU & PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ:
Website: https://absu.us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialabsu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/absunetwork
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/absu
Bandcamp: https://absu.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialabsu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialABSUChannel
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/absu
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eVkhnD2UKVjX5uiUsqfXP

ZEMIAL:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ZemialOfficial
Bandcamp: https://zemial.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/zemial_official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zemial
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/zemial

Osmose Productions:
Website: https://osmoseproductions.com
Webshop: https://osmoseproductions.com/index.cfm
Facebook: https://facebook.com/osmoseproductions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OsmoseProd
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/osmoseproductions
Bandcamp: https:/osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/osmoseproductions
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@osmoseproductions-official

Agonia Records:
Website: https://agoniarecords.com
Webshop: https://agoniarecords.com/store
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords
Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoniarecordsofficial
YouTube: https://youtube.com/AgoniaRec

#absu #zemial #proscriptor #TheSunofTiphareth #vorskaath #Abzu #apsû #apsu #barathrumvitriol #blackmetal #deathmetal #heavymetal #InTheEyesOfIoldanach #mythologicaloccultmetal #occultmetal #proscriptormcgovernsapsû #Tara #TheThirdStormofCythraul #thrashmetal #usblackmetal

Friday, July 19, 2024

ABSU (feat. Zemial) to perform 'The Sun of Tiphareth' At Hell's Heroes VII Festival in 2025

Houston-based metal festival Hell’s Heroes flies under the radar a little bit, but they’ve got the killer lineups to compete with some of the bigger festivals. Hell’s Heroes will be back in 2025 for its seventh incarnation, and they just announced the first wave of the lineup on their Instagram on Wednesday. Amongst the big revelations is that Max and Iggor Cavalera’s band Cavalera (f.k.a. Cavalera Conspiracy) will be performing the Sepultura album Schizophrenia in its entirety. Cavalera recently released a re-recorded version of that album back in June.

Some of the other big names include Crimson Glory, S.A. Slayer, Hellripper, Absu performing their 1995 album The Sun of Tiphareth, and Onslaught performing their 1985 debut album Power from Hell. That’s one hell of a lineup, pun naturally intended.

The festival’s organizer, Christian Larson, had this to say:

“We are extremely excited with how Hell’s Heroes 2025 is already coming together! We have some outlandishly cool, special sets in the works for the fans with much more to be announced! We are unveiling the lineup for HHVII in waves this year, so stay tuned to see what other surprises next year holds in store.”

If these bands are just the first wave and there’s more big surprises in store, this has the potential to be the biggest and best year of Hell’s Heroes so far. Check out the full list of bands announced in the first wave below:

Crimson Glory
Cavalera performing Sepultura’s Schizophrenia
Coroner
S.A. Slayer
Absu (feat. Zemial) performing The Sun Of Tiphareth
Sadus
Onslaught performing Power From Hell
Hellripper
Crypt Sermon
Zemial
Sabïre
Hour Of 13
The Night Eternal

Hell’s Heroes VII will take place March 20-22 at the White Oak Music Hall in Houston, Texas. Three day passes are available here.

H/T: Metal Sucks

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ Premieres Lyric/Visualizer Video For “Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without”

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ Premieres Lyric/Visualizer Video For “Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without” (Abridged Single Version)

“Mythological occult metal” act Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû premieres a lyric/visualizer video for the third single taken from their debut/self-titled album, which is out now on Agonia Records. The song and video “symbolize a Fourth–Dimensional Universe in two dimensions as a square surrounded by 30 concentric circles,” as commented by the band's founder, Proscriptor. Watch the video and learn more about its symbolism below.

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ - Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without (Video)


“The 30 concentric circles are known as the 30 Æthyrs or Aires,” Proscriptor continues. “The Watchtower Ritual (Liber Chanokh) consists of two ‘Adeptus Minor’ parts, which features an opening within and a closing without. The opening begins with three sacramental sections:

A) Invoking The Watchtowers (four quadrangle vibrations)
B) Rending The Veils (centralized self-placement of the multiverse)
C) Forming The Vortex (Crossing The Abyss)

Rending the veils places the ceremonialist to a South altar, which becomes the traversing process. Therefore, an anti–clockwise widdershin dissipates the vortex and the ritual’s temple is finally closed – classified as a totemic threshold. This lyrical machine, of the aforementioned topic, is so subtle that the most highly sensitized mind antennae cannot pick up its grossest vibrations. The spirit of magick remains inviolate, but the act of separating the self from any past shadow (and of fusing its essence with future semblance) is the act requiring noble skill – for it must be willfully achieved.”

Touted as one of the most important bands in the history of American Black Metal, Absu was dissolved by drummer/vocalist Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens) on January 27th, 2020, after 30 years of existence. Since the band’s last, unreleased album was to be penned as “Apsû,” McGovern fused the title with his name to form this new group, Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû. Securing the ranks, alongside McGovern, are continuing bassist Ezezu (Absu: 2008-2020), new guitar virtuoso Vaggreaz (Possessed, Gruesome) and keyboardist Vorskaath (Zemial, Agatus).

The self-titled debut album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both McGovern and J.T. Longoria (Absu, King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus) and mastering by Swedish Grammy nominee Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss, ex-Manowar), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir, Vltimas, ex-Mayhem), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus). In assembling the album’s packaging, the band re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Darkthrone, Portal, Watain).

Track listing for “Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû” is:
I. Amenta: Accelerando: Azyn including Hierophantasmal Expounder
II. Esoterically Excoriating The Exoteric
III. Quasaric Pestilence
IV. Mirroracles
V. In-Betweeness Gateway Commuters
VI. Jupiter In Capricornus
VII. Dedicated To Thoth, But Azathoth Wasn’t Listening (A Necroloquy)
VIII. Caliginous Whorl
IX. The Coagulating Respite
X. Prana: Therion: Akasha
XI. Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû
XII. Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without including Totemic Thresholds

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ is:
Proscriptor McGovern – Drums/Percussion, Lyricism, Maestro Echoplex, Papago Flute, Digital Synthesizers & Voices (Protagonist/Dramatic Monologue Versus Omniscient/Interior Monologue)
Vorskaath – (Analogue & Digital) Synthesizers, Classical/Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron & Signal Generator
Vaggreaz – Electric Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic & Bass Guitar
Ezezû – Electric Bass Guitar & Implements

Photo credit: Scott Kincade & M. Zvyagina

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ - Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû (Official Album Stream)

Official website: http://www.apsu.us

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ on-line:
Website: https://absu.us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialabsu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/absunetwork
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/absu
Bandcamp: https://absu.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialabsu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialABSUChannel
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/absu
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eVkhnD2UKVjX5uiUsqfXP

Agonia Records:

Website: https://agoniarecords.com Webshop: https://agoniarecords.com/store
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords
Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoniarecordsofficial
YouTube: http://youtube.com/AgoniaRec

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

New Album Stream + Lyric Videos

For those that would like to preview the new PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ album, you can do that here:


In addition, here are the official lyric videos for the following tracks:

"Prana: Therion: Akasha"


"Caliginous Whorl"

Friday, September 24, 2021

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ Reveals New Song “Caliginous Whorl”

Following the recent announcement of Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû’s self-titled debut album, which is set for release on November 26th via Agonia Records, the Texas-based “mythological occult metal” act now unveils the album’s first single, “Caliginous Whorl.”

Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû constitutes a new incarnation and direct continuation of Absu’s legacy. Touted as one of the most important bands in the history of American Black Metal, Absu was dissolved by drummer/vocalist Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens) on January 27th, 2020, after 30 years of existence. Since the band’s last, unreleased album was to be penned as “Apsû,” McGovern fused the title with his name to form this new group, Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû. Securing the ranks, alongside McGovern, are continuing bassist Ezezu (Absu: 2008-2020), new guitar virtuoso Vaggreaz (Possessed, Gruesome) and keyboardist Vorskaath (Zemial, Agatus). With this much anticipated, self-titled album, McGovern’s objective was to append the signature sound of “mythological occult metal,” but to convolute it with bouts of psychedelia, fusion and vintage electronics. When asked about the album’s final outcome, McGovern stated the following: “Having the opportunity to assemble these band members, in the development of this album, was a remarkable honour and I strongly feel this album captures the band’s true, yet frenzied potential.” McGovern, who also produced and co–engineered the album, added: “I specifically appointed these three to augment and heighten the overall sound portrait of these recordings, hoping that our emphasis on ‘mythological occult metal,’ coupled with progressive and psychedelic elements, clutches the listener’s momentum. Most importantly, I highly commend Agonia Records for migrating our musical and arcane foresight onto the next level.”

The album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both McGovern and J.T. Longoria (Absu, King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus) and mastering by Swedish Grammy nominee Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss, ex-Manowar), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir, Vltimas, ex-Mayhem), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus). In assembling the album’s packaging, the band re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Darkthrone, Portal, Watain). Not only did he administer the front cover, but also was assigned to create eight separate “plate illustrations” tailored around the lyrical conceptions. Regarding Bielak’s work, McGovern stated: “With incredible rapidity, he was able to resuscitate the artistic pulse after I presented the album’s subject speculations and lyrical themes. Some plate illustrations are affiliated with multiple songs; others integrated to only one song, yet Zbigniew perfectly surmounted each piece reflecting my oblique and ‘in–betweeness’ motifs.”

McGovern continues regarding the album’s lyrical approach: “This album was written for those who are curious and unwearied in their quest of arcane knowledge. I have (with vast exertion and detriment of time and space) collected knowledge deemed, in regard to my subject theories of ‘mythological occult metal:’ from Thelemic Magick and The Zos Vel Thanatos Formula to Fractal Ontology and (obviously) Near East Mythology.” Track listing for “Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû” is:

I. Amenta: Accelerando: Azyn including Hierophantasmal Expounder
II. Esoterically Excoriating The Exoteric
III. Quasaric Pestilence
IV. Mirroracles
V. In-Betweeness Gateway Commuters
VI. Jupiter In Capricornus
VII. Dedicated To Thoth, But Azathoth Wasn’t Listening (A Necroloquy)
VIII. Caliginous Whorl
IX. The Coagulating Respite
X. Prana: Therion: Akasha
XI. Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû
XII. Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without including Totemic Thresholds

Formats:
- Jewelcase CD
- Digi Slipcase CD
- Clam–Shell Box CD (Limited To 1000 Numbered Copies With Pin & Front Cover Flag)
- Black LP
- Swamp Green LP
- Gold LP
- Mercurial Silver LP
- Ultra Clear LP
- Picture LP
- Mephitic Vapour Splatter LP
- Cassette
- Digital

Clothing: - T-shirt 1 – Quasaric Pestilence (White On Black)
- T-shirt 2 – Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû (Black On Gray)
- T-shirt 3 – Logo With Sleeve Prints (Red On Black)
- Black HSW Zipper

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ is:

Proscriptor McGovern – Drums/Percussion, Lyricism, Maestro Echoplex, Papago Flute, Digital Synthesizers & Voices (Protagonist/Dramatic Monologue Versus Omniscient/Interior Monologue)

Vorskaath – (Analogue & Digital) Synthesizers, Classical/Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron & Signal Generator

Vaggreaz – Electric Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic & Bass Guitar

Ezezû – Electric Bass Guitar & Implements

Pre-orders:
https://www.apsu.us

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ on-line:
Website: https://absu.us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialabsu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/absunetwork
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/absu
Bandcamp: https://absu.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialabsu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialABSUChannel
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/absu
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eVkhnD2UKVjX5uiUsqfXP

Agonia Records:
Website: https://agoniarecords.com
Webshop: https://agoniarecords.com/store
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords
Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoniarecordsofficial
YouTube: http://youtube.com/AgoniaRec

Friday, September 3, 2021

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ Announces New Album Release Date, Cover Illustration & Additional Details

Texas-based “mythological occult metal” act Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû, which constitutes a new incarnation and direct continuation of Absu’s legacy, will release its debut/self-titled album on November 26th, 2021 on Agonia Records.

Touted as one of the most important bands in the history of American Black Metal, Absu was dissolved by drummer/vocalist Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens) on January 27th, 2020, after 30 years of existence. Since the band’s last, unreleased album was to be penned as “Apsû,” McGovern fused the title with his name to form this new group, Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû. Securing the ranks, alongside McGovern, are continuing bassist Ezezu (Absu: 2008-2020), new guitar virtuoso Vaggreaz (Possessed, Gruesome) and keyboardist Vorskaath (Zemial, Agatus). With this much anticipated, self-titled album, McGovern’s objective was to append the signature sound of “mythological occult metal,” but to convolute it with bouts of psychedelia, fusion and vintage electronics.

When asked about the album’s final outcome, McGovern stated the following: “Having the opportunity to assemble these band members, in the development of this album, was a remarkable honour and I strongly feel this album captures the band’s true, yet frenzied potential.” McGovern, who also produced and co–engineered the album, added: “I specifically appointed these three to augment and heighten the overall sound portrait of these recordings, hoping that our emphasis on ‘mythological occult metal,’ coupled with progressive and psychedelic elements, clutches the listener’s momentum. Most importantly, I highly commend Agonia Records for migrating our musical and arcane foresight onto the next level.”

The album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both McGovern and J.T. Longoria (Absu, King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus) and mastering by Swedish Grammy nominee Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss, ex-Manowar), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir, Vltimas, ex-Mayhem), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus).

In assembling the album’s packaging, the band re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Darkthrone, Portal, Watain). Not only did he administer the front cover, but also was assigned to create eight separate “plate illustrations” tailored around the lyrical conceptions. Regarding Bielak’s work, McGovern stated: “With incredible rapidity, he was able to resuscitate the artistic pulse after I presented the album’s subject speculations and lyrical themes. Some plate illustrations are affiliated with multiple songs; others integrated to only one song, yet Zbigniew perfectly surmounted each piece reflecting my oblique and ‘in–betweeness’ motifs.”

McGovern continues regarding the album’s lyrical approach: “This album was written for those who are curious and unwearied in their quest of arcane knowledge. I have (with vast exertion and detriment of time and space) collected knowledge deemed, in regard to my subject theories of ‘mythological occult metal:’ from Thelemic Magick and The Zos Vel Thanatos Formula to Fractal Ontology and (obviously) Near East Mythology.”

Track listing for “Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû” is:
I. Amenta: Accelerando: Azyn including Hierophantasmal Expounder
II. Esoterically Excoriating The Exoteric
III. Quasaric Pestilence
IV. Mirroracles
V. In-Betweeness Gateway Commuters
VI. Jupiter In Capricornus
VII. Dedicated To Thoth, But Azathoth Wasn’t Listening (A Necroloquy)
VIII. Caliginous Whorl
IX. The Coagulating Respite
X. Prana: Therion: Akasha
XI. Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû
XII. Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without including Totemic Thresholds

Formats:
- Jewelcase CD
- Digi Slipcase CD
- Clam–Shell Box CD (Limited To 1000 Numbered Copies With Pin & Front Cover Flag)
- Black LP
- Swamp Green LP
- Gold LP
- Mercurial Silver LP
- Ultra Clear LP
- Picture LP
- Mephitic Vapour Splatter LP
- Cassette
- Digital

Clothing:
- T-shirt 1 – Quasaric Pestilence (White On Black)
- T-shirt 2 – Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû (Black On Gray)
- T-shirt 3 – Logo With Sleeve Prints (Red On Black)
- Black HSW Zipper

Photo credit: Scott Kincade & M. Zvyagina

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ is:

Proscriptor McGovern – Drums/Percussion, Lyricism, Maestro Echoplex, Papago Flute, Digital Synthesizers & Voices (Protagonist/Dramatic Monologue Versus Omniscient/Interior Monologue)

Vorskaath – (Analogue & Digital) Synthesizers, Classical/Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron & Signal Generator

Vaggreaz – Electric Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic & Bass Guitar

Ezezû – Electric Bass Guitar & Implements

Pre-orders:
https://www.apsu.us

PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ on-line:
Website: https://absu.us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialabsu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/absunetwork
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/absu
Bandcamp: https://absu.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialabsu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialABSUChannel
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/absu
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eVkhnD2UKVjX5uiUsqfXP

Agonia Records:
Website: https://agoniarecords.com
Webshop: https://agoniarecords.com/store
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords
Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoniarecordsofficial
YouTube: http://youtube.com/AgoniaRec

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Minor Update & Black Montanas Shirts

Sorry fo the lack of updates - there just has been nothing new to report until now. Per Agonia Records: The new album from Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû was sent to manufacturing some time ago... Cover artwork, formats, pre-orders and release date will be announced shortly. We will have that information for you here as well. Black Montanas also continues to have new designs of ABSU shirts available. You can find that here. Season of Mist also has printing for Absu shirts available here (USA) and here (International). More information very soon.