1- Hails, Proscriptor!!! How are you ?
Hail, as I am the elite governor of Vitriolistic
nous! I am doing reasonably well, but I just got pulled over by a police
officer roughly 2 hours ago, which irritated me a bit! I was leaving the
ABSU rehearsal studio in descent to thy village outside of Dallas, and
I was abruptly stopped by a Plano pig! The reason: obstruction of view
on thy windshield! On thy Mercedes windshield, I have it outlined in Black/Death
stickers, so that's the reason why I was harrassed by the law in this fucking
community! Why do you think I am so frustrated with the manifesting, temporal
seed that surrounds thy sphere, thy aura?!!?
2- Can you give us a brief history of ABSU.
The band originated in 1989 under the first monicker
of DOLMEN, which can be defined as an "ancient, standing monument, i.e.
Stonehenge." After the immaculate indulgence in the Necronomicon, Voudon
Gnostics, Thoth Magick, and Sumerian/Mesopotamian mythology, the name was
altered to ABSU, in reference to "abyss" or even the "blackened Earth."
We have released three albums, one mini-album, three seven-inch EP's, numerous
videos, and have made many appearances on compilation and tribute disques
as well. What else could I possibly say?
3- To someone who had never heard ABSU, how would
you describe the music?
"Mythological Occult Metal."
4- Your new release, "In the Eyes of Ioldanach".
Tell us a bit about it...
"In The Eyes Of Ioldanach" is a prolonged continuation
to "The Third Storm Of Cythraul;" however, these four hymns are the prediction,
yet the future of what our most preferred Overseer sees in our past lives,who
would be Ioldanach. He is the Celtic deus of magick and cunning dexterity,
so his forecasts are what we speak of in this MCD. I would definetely have
to remark on the fact that this is likely our most baneful, yet progressive
recording up-to-date. Also, I would like to mention the fact that it was
engineered by Sir Kol Marshall and Sir Vincent Rossi, who have mixed King
Diamond and Mercyful Fate in the past. I think it's rather remarkable,
personally.
5- Are you satisfied with the final result of
"In the Eyes of Ioldanach" ?
"Absu-lutely!"
6- What elements are going to be different for
this release as compared to the older material ?
First of all, the tempo and time signature alterations
are much more intense, yet diversified tha any previous recording of ABSU.
The songwriting techniques have become more technical and intricate that
the usual fashion of ABSU's occultic-typr rock music(k) as well. |
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7- Explain about the title and the cover signification
of your new release.
Ioldanach has always told me that I am just one
Pagan seed that perpetually metamorphoses renaissance, transmuting
from one existence onto another. His words are what I have composed
and arranged with the MCD. The painting is the official symbol, yet the
total representation of ABSU, as it is called "The Sigil Of T'wa
Cythraul Klan". This is the best way I can explain it: the serpent represents
the plight of immortality, the immortality of each ABSU member, and it's
eyes symbolize Ioldanach for what he views within our souls. The two Scottish
dirks have gold hafts at the end of each handle; one of them bearing the
name "Cythraul" and the other conducting the name "Vitriol." The amputated
hands symbolize what once was an ephemeral tyrant during those mythological,
Celtic cycles, as well as the knotwork designs signifying our ancestral
roots. In conclusioon, put all of this together in place and formulate
what I have been explaining thus far. Also, I wanted to mention that our
permanent artist, "Sir Kris Verwimp," is the most applicable entity for
our sortileged type of abstraction and euphonic sound. He has previously
and will illustrate the covers for all of our musical compositions for
future times to come.
8- ABSU is currently composing and arranging the
hymns for their fourth opus, with the previous name "Tara", talk more about
this fourth CD.
Oooh, just imagine all ABSU albums collaborated,
as a greatest hits type of album or something. The magnificant "Tara" opus
shall feature the following hymns: "Tara", "A Shield With An Iron Face", "Pillars Of Mercy", "To The Gallows", "Cries Of Sanity", "She Cries The Quiet Lake", "From Ancient Times (Starless Skies Burn To Ash)", "Spell 181", "Vorago (Spell 182)", "Four Crossed Wands", "Hall Of The Masters", "The Great Battle Moving From Ideal To Actual", "Tara (reprise)".
9- I know that ABSU members have inumerous projects bands,like: Proscriptor, Equimanthorn, Magus, Equitant, Bloodstrom, Heaven�s Devils, Moonroot, Morbid Scream, (Did I forget any project ?) talk more about this projects and what you're working on for the future.
Look out for these up and coming releases in 1999:
ABSU - "Manannan" music video (Osmose Productions)
ABSU - "Tara" (Osmose Productions)
Proscriptor - "The Serpentine Has Risen" LP/CD (Unisound Records)
Proscriptor - "The Venus Bellona" LP/CD (Unisound Records)
Equimanthorn - "Lectionum Antiquarum" LP/CD (Unisound Records)
Equimanthorn - "Second Sephira Cella" LP/CD (Unisound Records)
Magus - "Ruminations Of Debauchery" CD (Elegy Records)
Heaven's Devils - "Moonshiner's Turn" LP/CD/8-Track (Steamroller 88 Records)
Judas Iscariot - "TBA" (Elegy Records)
Moonroot - "Proclaiming The Dawn" (Black Widow Records)
Roller - "TBA" (Steamroller 88 Records)
Morbid Scream - "War Hath Come And Gone: An Anthology: 1986-1988" (Merciless Records)
Mezzadurus, our live session bassist and vocalist,
is the commander of the Bloodstorm, so I have no say so within this band.
However, I do know they shall release their sophomore opus with on Necropolis
Records or Nuclear Blast here in the near future. I also believe the Equitant
project is completely deceased, but I am not 100% positive concerning this
issue.
10- How has your touring situation been? What
are your plans to tour in the future?
I cannot discuss touring at the present moment
because ABSU is, more or less, in dormancy stage at the moment.
11- ABSU will tour with Enslaved again, beginning
in the third week of January/1999, this is a reply of Vikings & Tyrants
Tour '97. What your expectation for this tour ?
This shall not occur any longer, sorry. We are
currently reforming the band at the present moment.
12- This will be ABSU�s third time around to
tour with Enslaved. How is your relation with this norwegian vikings ?
We have known them since 1993 and they are probably
our best comrades ever, as well as Impaled Nazarene.
13- What were the most memorable shows that you
played ? What sort of good and bad experiences have you had on your tours?
Well, let's take Bischofswerda, Germany for example;
after the performance, I literally fell off of a small mountain, where
I went tumbling for about 10 minutes or so! I remember the members of Enslaved
and Inferno captured the entire sight, as well as some East German girl
that looked exactly like Mille Petrozza as well. I had immense fun!
14-How do you view the metal scene in USA these
days? Who are some of your fave bands on the scene right now ?
Usurper, Scepter, Infernal Oak, Roller, Death
Of Millions, Of The Fallen, Thy Infernal, The Soil Bleeds Black, Cernunnos'
Woods, Night Conquers Day, Bloodstorm, Prime Minister Rofocale, Ares Kingdom,
Profane Grace, Thornspawn, Solitude Aeternus, Mortician, Sadistic Intent,
Sarcophagus, Krieg, Abazgorath, Azazel's Torch, and Skull View!
15- If you could sum up ABSU in a word, what
would it be?
Abysmal.
16- How have your experiences with record labels
been?
Fair.
17- Tell us about some of the lyrics of your new
release and what some of the topics you deal with are.
The opening track, "V.I T.R.I.O.L," explains
not only what takes place throughout our entire first album, but is the
alchemical formula of the great "hidden stone in the Earth," "the abyss,"
and "the Universal/Unicursal Solvent" of the Primum Mobile. The initials
of "vitriol" are classified as an "acronym" and are made up of this alchemical
motto (Latin terminology: "Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies
Occultum Lapidem: English terminology: We Shall Visit The Interior Parts
{Abyss} Of The Earth By Rectification, Thou Shalt Find Immortality Through
The Hidden Stone). It represents a balanced concoction of the three elements
of this principle: Sulpher, Mercurial Nous, and Salt. These names can also
be represented by Atu I, III, and IV. What I am trying to say is that if
you follow me to the interior parts of the Earth, I can literally show
you what the actual 'abyss' is like in an escapaded afterlife. The second
song, "Hallstatt," is a rather chronicled song one initialized by Equitant
and thyself, concerning a lost and ancient culture in th southern, central
portion of Austria. Roughly 2000 tombs of some of our ancestors wre robbed
by a "particular" enemy of ours, so they shall and will pay by the conclusion
fo the song. They did, indeed. "Manannan" is, by far, the most ferocious
track on the mini-disque, due to the fact that he is the major deus of
all sea and wind and could infamously cause horrendous storms and was albe
to make the sky/ stratosphere literally fall in Celtic mythos.' Lastly,
"Never Blow Out The Eastern Candle" is track based on pure ceremonial and
ritual magick, also concerning the beacon of Thoth. The symbolism of this
great songg is like the "mother of science" to me (if that makes any kind
of sense...) as all "actual" objects are regarded as "Dead" in one point
in time; thee was great difficulty in transmutating Moonfire because Moonfire,
as she acts in nature, is distillation of power in magick. This goes back
to bringing the soul to the process of immortality in a sort of "Otherworld"
more or less. Thats all for now.
18- What more inspire you in the lyrics-writing
process ? Any personal experiences ?
Immortality, Magick, Tasseomancy, Warding, Etc.
19- Talking about sales, how was "The Third Storm
of Cythrau" done for you ?
25,000+ copies in human hands, more or less.
20- ABSU is yet franticly seeking for a "permanent"
lead guitarist/vocalist, talk more about.
Yes, we are desperately seeking a lead guitarist/
vocalist who has an alchemical mind and violent hand of fucking death and
deathlessness. Please send playing and performance efforts to the following
address: The Cythraul Klan Of ABSU P.O. Box 743307 Dallas, TX 75374-3307 USA
21- How do you spend your spare time? Hobbies,
interests?
I collect LP's and vinyls, I am a college student
in Art and Performance, I am an amateur pornographer, and I like to concoct
spell and potions from various, gnostic sources. |
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22- Could you tell us one person of the past
whom you personally respect, and why?
Thy elegant mistress, Lady Enidan; I say this
respectively because I have finally met the female form of thy Gemini spirit
and dogma, astrologically. Her moon lies on the 7th day of thy essence
in Mars (Venus = 19th - Konx Om Pax).
23- What three books and or movies would you consider
essential ?
Books:
I. "The Book Of The Thoth" - A. Crowley
II. "Necronomicon" - A. Azif
III. "Empty Places" - L. Anderson |
Movies:
1. "Boogie Nights"
2. "Easy Rider"
3. "Eraserhead" or "Urban Cowboy" |
24- Plans to the future ?
Immortality.
25- Thanks .... Your final message...
I want to truly thank you for this interview
and thank everybody for reading this! Remember: keep burning the ancient
flame of metal that is perpetually locked with in your liquid, glass-cased
heart! Also, inform me when the magazine is in publication and I once again,
thank thee for your time.
