Release Dates for Absu and Abzu Picture Discs

From Hammerheart Records:

Absu Picture Disc LP Release Date: January 21, 2013 - 10 Euros
Abzu Picture Disc LP Release Date: February 18, 2013 - 10 Euros

Each disc is limited to 500 copies.

Images coming soon.

Pre-Order for "The Sun of Tiphareth" LP Box Set Available Now

Here's a "Black Friday" special for you - pre-orders are now being accepted for "The Sun of Tiphareth" Triple LP Box Set.  Go here.

ABSU "The Sun of Tiphareth" + Bonus Tracks Official 3LP box

Texas occult metal legends once again join forces with the Crypt to unleash their sophomore masterpiece "The Sun of Tiphareth". A wealth of unreleased bonus material is included for this 3LP. Expect the usual Crypt standards for this classic gem of Mystical Occult Metal.

- 3 x 180 Gram Vinyl LPs (Black, Blue or White)
- 2 x 350 Gram GF jakets with original art and new liner notes
- Bonus 7" EP of "...And Shineth Unto The Cold Cometh..."
- 2 Huge Posters with artwork by Kris Verwimp
- 450 Gram Casewrapped Box with Original Cover Artowrk

This ultimate edition contains well over two hours of Mythological Occult metal on 3 x 180 gram heavy vinyl LPs, strictly limited to a one time only pressing of 666 hand-numbered copies - 222 of which will be black vinyl. These killer slabs of wax come housed in 2 x 350 gram glossy gatefold jackets featuring the both of the original Osmose cover and layout, as well unpublished artwork by The Sun of Tiphateth cover artist Kris Verwimp, classic flyers, exclusive band photos, classic interviews and new, extensive liner notes by Proscriptor. Each gatefold will contain a huge poster of each respective original cover artwork.

LP one will feature the original 1995 sound recording, LP 2 will feature an brand new 2012 remix of the album sounding as the band originally intended and LP 3 will feature The Sun Of Tiphareth – Rehearsal Session: 1993.   Also included in the set will be an exact replica of the original "..and Shineth Unto The Cold Cometh..." 7" EP with the original layout and original master audio files being used.

Both gatefolds come housed in an amazing, heavy gauge case wrapped, hand numbered box with the original Kris Verwimp cover illustration.

We apologize for the steep price tag but unfortunately due to the deluxe packaging including the box, 2 full color posters, the bonus 7" EP and royaltys due to both band and label for this release, we were forced to raise it slightly more than usual. Rest assured that this monster box set is well worth every penny.

TRACK LIST:

SIDE ONE - The Sun Of Tiphareth – Original Studio Album: 1995
Apzu
Feis Mor Tir Na N’og (Across The North Sea To Visnech)
Cyntefyn’s Fountain

SIDE TWO
A Quest Into The 77th Novel
Our Lust For Lunar Plains (Nox Luna Inlustris)
The Coming Of War
The Sun Of Tiphareth

SIDE THREE - The Sun Of Tiphareth – Alternate Mix: 2012 (Original Sequence)
Cyntefyn’s Fountain
Apzu
Feis Mor Tir Na N’og (Across The North Sea To Visnech)

SIDE FOUR
A Quest Into The 77th Novel
The Coming Of War
The Sun Of Tiphareth
Never Blow Out The Eastern Candle

SIDE FIVE - The Sun Of Tiphareth – Rehearsal Session: 1993
Book Of Splendour
Tasseomancy
A Quest Into The 77th Novel

SIDE SIX
The Coming Of War
The Sun Of Tiphareth
Akhera Goiti – Akhera Beiti (One Black Opalith For Tomorrow)

7” EP
SIDE SUMERIA
…And Shineth Unto The Cold Cometh…including Prelusion To Cythrául

SIDE ALLAXITONIA/THOTH
Akhera Goiti – Akhera Beiti (One Black Opalith For Tomorrow)

RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 31st, 2012

Tarot Productions Liquidation

From Tarot Productions:

TAROT PRODUCTIONS: 2002 – 2012

Ten Years
Ten Releases
Ten Acknowledgements To Our Artists

...We are currently in the process of liquidating the remnants of inventory and discharging what we have next to nothing price wise.  Labels/Distributors/Customers: please e-mail the following address if you have interest in the remaining titles:

tarotproductions@sbcglobal.net

http://tarotproductions.com/catalog.php

TYRANTZ EMPIRE - Merauderz of the Monolith – The Omega Chapter
Format: Digipack CD
Catalog Number: Card 010

PROSCRIPTOR - 726
Format: Digipack CD
Catalog Number: CARD 008

STARCHASER NETWORK – Starchaser Network
Format: Digipack CD
Catalog Number: CARD 005

EQUITANT - Konstruckteur
Format: Digipack CD
Catalog Number: CARD 004

EQUITANT - Zeit
Format: Digipack CD
Catalog Number: CARD 003

"Hall Of The Masters" Video Released

Via Earsplit:

Mythological occult metal discoverers ABSU announce the release of their new video (their first in 14 years), produced for the anthem “Hall Of The Masters,” courtesy of this year’s Adult Swim Singles Program. Once again, the band has showcased their signature style of occult black/thrash mythology to dark, new, calculating territories. The audio was recorded earlier this year at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas and mixed by J.T. Longoria. (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus), the video for the song then filmed by director Daniel Garcia.

Stated ABSU vocalist/drummer Proscriptor on the creation of the visual magnum opus: “’Hall Of The Masters’ is a conceptual video concerning the wedlock between a speculum of apparitions and the rite of transfiguration. The mortality featured in the video is unexpectedly visited by the Elder Ones and swept from Earth by the form of the Master. Every dream of man and woman is superlatively coiled by the Lamia!”


Video is Here.

"Absu" and "Abzu" Picture Disc LPs Coming in 2013

Hammerheart Records has announced they will release "Absu" and "Abzu" as Picture Disc LPs in 2013.  A more concrete release date will be announced later.

And don't forget, ABSU's new video, "Hall of the Masters" will debut this Monday!

In the meantime, here is a performance of "Vorago" from the Slaughter By The Water III.

Interesting Information Regarding "Absu" Album From 2001

One of ABSU's old websites originally posted this information regarding the upcoming "Absu" album on January 25th, 2001 (source).

Absu is already composing and arranging the hymns for their 6th release, which shall be self-titled as Absu. This opus will contain extremely fast-paced, yet Sumerian/Mesopotamian lyrically-based hymns, which is something the band has not conceived since Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L and The Sun of Tiphareth. The band has even decided to go back to using their initial pseudonyms, such as Shaftiel - The Lord of All Shadows, Lord Equitant Alastor, and Emperor Proscriptor Magikus. It seems that the band's immortal essence keeps transpiring from one realm onto the next constantly. The band will try to use Roger Dean, of Yes/Uriah Heep fame, for the cover illustration, but it may be too much for Absu to handle financially. Working song titles thus far are:


---Akhera-Goiti Akhera-Beiti (One Black Opalith For Tomorrow) (new version)
---Amy
---Immortal Sorcery 2002 (new version)
---They Swarmed Fourth In Their Multitudes And Darkness Ruled The Earth
---Sanga Temple
---Voor
---In The Name Of Auebothiabathabaithobeaee
---Magick Square Cipher
---Twix Yesterday, Today, And The Morrow
---Our Earth Of Black
---Sceptre Of Command
---Curse Of Agade
---The Last Of Ibbi-Sin
---Nunbarshegunu
---Of Ye Times And Ye Seasons To Be
---Between The Absu of Eridu And Eresh

So as you can see, the hymns of the album "Absu" had been planned for quite some time.

New Single/Video and Tour Dates/Festival Appearances Update

ABSU has released a new single titled "Hall of the Masters" through Adult Swim's 2012 Singles Series.

You can hear it here.

Long time fans may recognize this title as it has been around since the announcement of the tracklist of 'Tara' in 2001, however it remained unrecorded until now. All information regarding the track (including lyrics) are posted on the website now.

Not to be confused with the demo version of "Stone of Destiny" from the 2005 compliation 'Mythological Occult Metal' which was referred to as the "Hall of the Masters" version.

An official video to accompany the song will be released on September 10, directed by filmmaker Daniel Garcia.

Current Tour Dates:
August 25, 2012 – Slaughter By The Water III – Alameda, CA
August 31, 2012 – Steel Metal Bunker – San Luis Potosi, Mexico (w/ MALEVOLENT CREATION)
September 1, 2012 – Flying Circus – Mexico City, Mexico (w/ HATE ETERNAL & MALEVOLENT CREATION)
November 9, 2012 – Medellin, Columbia
November 10, 2012 – Cali, Columbia
November 11, 2012 – Bogata, Columbia
November 13, 2012 – TBA – Chile
November 15, 2012 – TBA – Brazil
November 16, 2012 – Beco – Porto Alegre, Brazil
November 17, 202 – Music Hall – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
November 18, 2012 – Carioca Club – São Paulo, Brazil

25 Minute High Quality Live Performance Video

Here is high quality live performance footage of ABSU performing at Glaz'art in Paris France on April 8th, 2012 during the European Connexus Conjuration Tour.

Tracklist:

1. Feis Mor Tir Na N'og (incorrectly labeled as Highland Tyrant Attack)
2. Earth Ripper
3. Abraxas Connexus
4. The Coming of War
5. Never Blow Out The Eastern Candle

ABSU Glossary Now Available

With the large amount of esoteric lexicon ABSU uses in their music, sometimes a glossary would be nice.  The band utilized one for the album "Tara" but now there is an all encompassing glossary available on the website under "Lyrical Magick".  The webmaster is extremely thankful to the following (IAO) for their contributions to the glossary: Andrea, Sean Conover, Barbara Francone.

New Shirt Design Available

A new shirt design in several different sizes and formats is now available from Tarot Productions.

'Chaos In Tejas' performance cancelled

From Earsplit: Mythological occult metal artisans ABSU regretfully announce the cancelation of their set at this weekend's Chaos In Tejas festivities, where they were confirmed to headline the show at Red 7 this Saturday with support from TERRORISM, LOSS, MORBOSIDAD, ARES KINGDOM and BLACK WITCHERY. Immediately following their bludgeoning performance at the opening night of this year's sweltering installment of Maryland Deathfest this past Thursday night, ABSU drummer/vocalist Proscriptor had to rush back to Texas due to a knee infection. Following two instantaneous surgeries, Proscriptor will be in good health and back to 110 percent efficiency by the mid portion of June, but not in time to perform as scheduled on Saturday night. This cancelation is disheartening to the band for the moment, as they were fully planning on leveling all in earshot at the performance this weekend; however, this procedure will now ensure that the band will be fully operational for the previously mentioned forthcoming ABSU live assaults throughout North and South America, which are being confirmed now to be announced in the weeks just ahead. Stay tuned to be inundated with new information on said events.

ABSU Prepare For Maryland Deathfest & Chaos In Tejas Action

From Earsplit: Mythological occult metal tormenters ABSU will dominate American audiences with several confirmed performances in the coming weeks, including a live assault in Baltimore this Thursday night as part of the opening night to the Maryland Deathfest 2012 mayhem. ABSU will be joined on stage that night by a plethora of other extreme acts including Rorschach, Dying Fetus, Eyehategod, Agalloch and headliners for the evening, Autopsy. A full running order for the fest and all other MDF info can be found HERE. A week after MDF, ABSU will slay this year’s Chaos In Tejas in Austin, Texas on Saturday, June 2nd, headlining the indoor stage at Red 7, with support from Terrorism, Loss, Morbosidad, Ares Kingdom and Black Witchery. Full CIT info and schedules can be found HERE. ABSU Confirmed Tour Dates: 5/24/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest 6/02/2012 Red 7 – Austin, TX @ Chaos In Tejas Further live assaults throughout North and South America are being devised now for disbursement in the coming weeks. ABSU’s sixth full-length, Abzu, takes the band’s signature occult black thrash mythology to dark new calculating territories through a whirlwind of razor-sharp riffing and some of the extreme metal world’s most top-notch drumming. The second part of an ongoing trilogy of albums, which began with 2009’s acclaimed Absu, and will eventually come to a finale with Apsu, Abzu was recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas, and finds drummer/vocalist Proscriptor and bassist/vocalist Ezezu sharing equal vocal duties and debuts the skills of new guitarist Vis Crom. The record was mixed by J.T. Longoria (King Diamond/Solitude Aeternus), and features original cover art from Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Watain, Behemoth, Destroyer 666, Vader). http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EnfIp9ZuLqk

3 Dates In Colombia

Three tour dates in Colombia in November confirmed.

Proscriptor Endorsed By Ahead Drumsticks

As Seen Here.

Ahead Drumsticks.

Patience is a virtue for those of you waiting on some news tidbits. You will be rewarded soon.

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.

Chaos In Tejas

ABSU will perform at the "Chaos In Tejas" event at the Red 7 in Austin, Texas on June 2, 2012 with Black Witchery, Morbosidad, Ares Kingdom and Loss.

The Unreleased Hallstattian Swords 7" EP

The intended cover of the "Hallstattian Swords" 7" EP

In 2000, Absu announced that they would release the "Hallstattian Swords" 7" EP to compliment the release of "Tara".  The 7" would be released by Blood Fire Death Records (ran by Lord Imperial of Krieg fame). It was never ultimately released. The track list was:


Side Cythraul:

I. The Thrice Is Greatest To Ninnigal (Live)

II. Yrp Lluyddawc

Side Klan:

III. The Great Battle Moving From Ideal To Actual

IV. Old Tombs At Hochdorf

All of these tracks were made available on the "Mythological Occult Metal: 1991-2001" compilation in 2005.

Five Additional Dates Announced, Four in Brazil

Five more tour dates announced:

February 18th, 2012 - 8th Annual Charlotte O'Leary Memorial Concert, Rockit Room - San Francisco, CA
March 16th, 2012 - Belo Horizonte/MG (Brasil) @ Music Hall
March 17th, 2012 - São Paulo/SP (Brasil) @ Hangar 110
March 18th, 2012 - Recife/PE (Brasil) @ Mercado Eufrásio Barbosa
March 19th, 2012 - Porto Alegre/RS (Brasil) @ Bar Opinião