I always have very high hopes to a new album from American blackened thrashers Absu. They play very varied and interesting music that also kick some major butt.  And I was not disappointed this time either. Still with very clear black metal elements Abzu is an album that really thrashes. The first five tracks are high speed tracks that really throw you into spontaneous head banging. Black, fast, varied, atmospheric, awesome. The fifth track “A Song for Ea” is a different beast clocking in at nearly a quarter of an hour, nearly half of the playing time on Abzu. The long track is divided into six segments that vary quite a lot and some would most likely say that the track becomes too segmented. I beg to differ. This track expands the bands repertoire even further into progressive metal. In my book that is a compliment.

Overall the production is very crisp. Some would argue that the drums are a bit too much in the foreground of the mix but I say it actually works very well. Besides, the drumming is very good also. Fans of both thrash and black metal should check this one out. Fans of progressive metal could do worse as well. Recommended.