Rockezine.com interview with Absu on Jul 01, 2001

with Proscriptor McGovern on Jul 01, 2001

Although the American occult/magick black metal act Absu is already working on their sixth full-lenght album (whilst only just having released their fifth!!) this is only the first interview they have done for REZ. About time one would say, and that`s what we thought too! Finally we can offer you some more in-depth info on this legendary band and the new album Tara and you, yes you, can be part of the Cythrául Clan of Absu if you take the time to read this interview with Proscriptor McGovern. Enjoy!
		My first obvious question: are you completely satisfied with the endresult? Yes, I would say that we are very satisfied with the end results, but we wish we had more improvements, more or less, with the overall production. I say this because the entire recording of "Tara" is mostly mid-range and we wish we possessed more "seperation" within the guitars, bass, and drum mix. I, personally, am quite pleased with the mixing and engineering of the drum sound because I feel it nicely slices through the album, but I feel the bass guitar is a bit inundated and the guitars are a little soft. This is just my personal opinion and I know we will always have some sort of criticism every time we record an upcoming album. Nevertheless, we are pleased with the album, we think it is our finest work up to date, and Kol Marshall is such a sufficient engineering to work with.
		The album has been engineered and co-produced by Kol Marshall. What struck me when listening to the album is that the production is quite different from the contemporary black metal productions as done in The Abyss studios for instance.
		On `Tara` the various instruments are all well distinguishable. Was that also the objective when producing this album? We have worked with Kol Marshall in the past for the Iron Maiden tribute album on Dwell Records ("Transylvania"), as well as the last MCD, "In The Eyes of Ioldánach." He is very proficient when it comes to recording engineering and skills are completely clever. One of ABSU`s main objectives is to create a different atmosphere on each album, but still keep the same fashion somewhat on each album too. Another one of our objectives is to be able to handle our instruments differently on each album as well. I think "Tara" proves that we, being the Cythraul Klan of ABSU, have managed to compose and arrange the most baneful, yet most progressive album we have ever created up to date as well.
		Many guest musicians made their appearance on your new album. What this something you intended to do when writing `Tara`.
		Do these musicians fulfill a specific role on the new album or was it something that developed gradually during the recording process? We used an Irish bagpiper by the name of Sir Don Shannon and David Harbour (ex-Chastain/King Diamond) for some small keyboard and piano parts. We also featured some guest vocalists to sing the backing parts on a couple of songs, including some comrades of mine by the names of Masthema Mazziqim and Ronnie Trent. Also, Ashmedi from Melechesh appears on one track as well. One of the main reasons why I wanted to use the skills and talents of guest musicians is because ABSU has never approached this before and due to the fact that this is a conceptual opus, I wanted to use various voices and instrumentations to represent the various characters that are portrayed on "Tara" Itself.
		So to answer your question, yes, these guests did fulfill a specific role acting out as characters, enchanted beings within the lyrical understanding.
		What can you tell me about the collaboration with the Irish Piper Don Shannon? Is he familiar with the extreme metal scene? How did you get in the touch with him? The bagpipe pieces on "Tara" and its recapitulation were composed and arranged by an Irish piper named Sir Don Shannon, who dwells here in Dallas. He had performed in front of many members of the British royal family for many years also. Anyway, a year ago I met him at our rehearsal studio while he was practicing with Denny Lane, a former member of Paul McCartney`s Wings outfit. I explained to him the concept I had in mind for an intro and outro and he was quite intrigued with my anecdote, as well as my concept of Tara. He wrote both pieces, recorded them in the studio, and the end results were absolutely awe-inspiring.
		The "Tara" intro has more of a skirmish, march-like feel to it (6/8), as it makes sense to introduce an album that prepares itself for a lesson in pure war. The reprise of "Tara" is despondent to our dead and mutilated enemies, but at the same time, quite triumphant. You can hear the difference and mood swing between the two pieces. The bagpipes, to me, are one of the most amazing instruments ever created and take such great talent to play them. And naturally, since we derive from Celtic ancestral bloodlines, it only makes sense to have such tones in this album.
		Who or what is `Tara`? Could you tell our readers a bit more about the story behind the album title? Tara, which can be defined as "the exalted, imperial hill in County Meath, Ireland where High Kings and tyrants once reigned in Celtic mythology, is the third and final development of a trilogy for ABSU. Metaphysically and conceptually continuing from The Third Storm of Cythraul and In The Eyes of Ioldanach, it is our intent to recover three "stones of destiny:" Tara (highest Primum Mobile), Cythraul (median Primum Mobile), and Vitriol (lowest/internal Primum Mobile). After psychologically visiting such realms, we can successfully complete our battle and alchemical schemes to reach three thrones on top of this hill.
		Tara is not only an album of "mythological occult metal," but also an exhibition of Pagan antiquity. Our determination is to balance the juxtaposition between tyranny, puissance, Gnosticism, and magic(k), as the album is presented in a chronicled assembly dividing this exhibition into two phases: Ioldanach`s Pedagogy and The Cythraul Klan`s Scrutiny. Certain goals and objectives are finally accomplished with Tara, through practices of our ancestral attributes (Scottish and Irish) and channeling divisions of pure magic(k) (Qabbalah) within our minds and souls. This is our interpretation of what Tara is all about.
		The album is divided into 2 phases: Ioldánach`s Pedagogy and The Cythrául Klan`s Scrutiny. In what way does the musical approach between these 2 phases differ? Here are the meanings behind each phase and how we interpret them into the story of "Tara." And, as far as the musical approach is concerned between the two, there is not much difference, except for how we supernaturally felt when we composed each song for each phase:
		"Ioldanach`s Pedagogy" - Ioldanach, the All-craftsman of every god in Celtic legends, was also known as the "god of wisdom." His thoughts and teachings are what made us triumphantly courageous throughout this first phase of the album, implementing weaponry skills and frenzy-like war tactics.
		"The Cythraul Klan`s Scrutiny" - Ioldanach`s thoughts and teachings are also what made us victorious throughout this second phase as well. However, it was our responsibility to interpret our own battle and alchemical schemes in this second phase. We feel there is a constant exchange of souls taking places between three various realms: Tara, Cythraul, and Vitriol. Death in these realms conveys our inner selves and spirits to the apex of Tara, as well to the chasm of our glorious underworld: the Cythraul - the Apzu.
		Which are your main sources of inspiration for the lyrical concept? What books or websites can you recommend to our readers if they want to gain more in-depth information or knowledge on the various topics? With ABSU, we have already reached all goals with this band thus far, which we like to call the three "M`s:" magic(k), mythology, and mysticism. We have reached the goal of being a band like none other on planet Earth and I think it definitely shows with our music, minds, and ancestral attributions. As far as lyrical inspirations, I would have to say I am mainly influenced by motifs of the "Necronomicon," Sumerian/Mesopotamian mythology, Celtic mythology and legends, knighthood, ceremonial magick, gnosticism, alchemical sciences, numerology, Tarot, The Golden Dawn, weaponry, Thoth, Qabbalistic magick, and especially our ancestral roots ranging anywhere between the 9th to 16th century. It is fundamentally what ABSU is based upon, lyrically, and mainly the occult, let alone. Also, a web page I would like to recommend to all mortals out there who are striving on gaining knowledge and sheer power within their own minds` eye would have to be one called "Digital Abyss." www.digitalabyss.org
		What you express through Absu is that just a particular approach to extreme music or is it also a way of life for you and the other bandmembers? I would have to say two words and those would immortality and magic(k).
		On the Internet I read that you visited Amsterdam last March to do a videoshoot in cooperation with the guys from Melechesh.
		What can you tell me about this? Will Absu release a video for a track on the new album or was it something completely different? Yes, as I am now the permanent drummer and co-lyricist for the Mesopotamian pioneers Melechesh and the video that was filmed in Holland (for Melechesh) was a grand success. I am not quite sure if ABSU shall film a video for "Tara," but has been discussed before amongst the members. The Melechesh and past ABSU videos will be released on an Osmose video compilation DVD called "World Domination" to be released sometime in September, I do believe.
		I also read that there are no touring plans at the moment and that you have already started working on the sixth full-length Absu album?
		Is this still the case or have these plans changed and will the fans be able to see Absu live somewhere later this year? We are heading back to the deserted, granule plains of Sumeria and Mesopotamia with our next album called Absu. I know it will feature 10 songs on it and some of the working titles we have thus far are "Sanga Temple," "Voor," "Twix Yesterday, Today, and the Morrow," "In the Name of Auebothiabathabaithobeaee," "Amy," "Between the Absu of Eridu and Eresh," "Our Earth of Black," "Nunbarshegunu," "Sceptre of Command," "13 Globes," and "Magic(k) Square Cipher."
		We are taking a vacation from Celtic territories and heading straight into the Primum Mobile of the black earth once again. Our new objective is to gaze backwards into an abyss of time to the remnant of a potent and perilous magic(k)al inheritance, emanating from a past pre-mortal existence in its unfathomable antiquity. In other words, it shall be pure fucking darkness! Also, we plan on touring in October and November (hopefully) for a "World Domination" festival tour with Enslaved, Impaled Nazarene, Houwitser (Hails to Theo!), Arkhon Infaustus, and Anorexia Nervosa. This is tenatively speaking, however. Want to be a part of the Cythraul Clan of Absu yourself?!!
		Are you still in search for a lead guitarist/ backing vocalist or have you been able to find someone suitable?
		I assume that this is the reason that you couldn`t play on the No Mercy festivals (with headliners Marduk and Vader) that were held earlier this year? Yes, this is true, as we have not explored on a European tour since the infamous "Vikings & Tyrants in 1997 with Enslaved and Inferno and why you ask?
		Well, BECAUSE WE CANNOT FIND THE APPROPRIATE MEMBER HERE IN THE FUCKING STATES! It is that bad because it is really difficult to seek a member that feels the same way we do and is not a fucking trend shit either.
		If you or someone you know can execute lead guitar and vocal capabilities and thinks they are a tyrannical, maniacal magus, please send your proposal to one of the two e-mail addresses: cythraulklan@msn.com or robertaevans@att.com.
		What is your opinion on the Internet? Do you see it as a useful means of communication for you, for instance to stay in contact with your fans? Is there an official Absu website? The internet has positive and negative aspects to it, but it is good for me to communicate with important souls all across the toilet earth. For all of you interested in our occultic dynasty, please go to the following web site address for secrets and spells: www.absu.ws
		Is there anything you would like to add, change or say to the readers of our webzine? I wanted to say thank you very much for this enchanting interview and wanted to say hails forever to the members of Melechesh, Occult, Houwitser, and Thanatos. I also wanted to salute all tyrants and warlocks of the mighty lands and planes of the glorifying Netherlands. I`ll be back for casting, dammit! Thank you!
(Maura Kampstra)