The Sun of Tiphareth

When you think at the usual countries where a strong black metal scene could be found, of course you are likely to include United States, as nowadays the genre is very strong in the Vinlandic continent! But, let's say: we were in 1995, in Texas, and a death metal band turned out to switch genre and becoming a black metal force speaking of ancient middle-eastern or Celtic mythologies: it was all really strange at the time, but the Kris Verwimp artwork and the iconic, a-symmetrical logo, suggested that something very huge was rising from where we did not expect. I was and still I am really into this album and, in a lesser manner, the subsequent "The Third Storm of Cythrául": maybe this second effort is the real masterpiece for the band, where everything is bold and epic and mysterious.

Right, it's clear: this is a black metal record, but not exactly the same style of European acts, and for sure nothing like the Hellenic black metal variant! There is, in this album, a strange syncretism between thrash metal, and even thrashy riffs, and black metal, but not really in the same vein of, let's say, Aura Noir, Nocturnal Breed or Desaster. The drums, in particular, are way more structured, with a lot of different pattern and rhythmic figures than the usual black metal, landing in a quasi-technical thrash metal territory. Riffing quality is top-notch, with aggressive, but yet epic and melodic melodies, suggesting a solid compositional awareness, with no "random notes" amateurish approach some other bands.

Tracks are well structured, with a perfect and precise execution and an adequate production quality that renders in a clear way all the passages and the arrangements, without being over-compressed or too polished: it is still cold and raw, in a good analogic fashion. One of the best albums of that period of time, coming out after the explosion of the north European genre, with all of the masterpieces published in 1994, and before the 1997 landmark of commercial spotlighting of symphonic black metal due to the emerging and best-selling success of Dimmu Borgir. We are bang in the middle where and when black metal started to become a huge movement but was still in the underground environment. It was a kind of a golden age: a lot of bands, even Absu itself, stayed in that phase even after 1997.

It's true that certain acts embraced the easy-listening (anti)attitude at the time, as you can tell just by looking at the changes in logo design, from complex and iconic shapes to readable, linear computer-font writings, as Dimmu Borgir and many, many others, but a whole group of bands, everywhere, still retained the old-fashioned approach, with no lack of coherence to the genre: Absu were for sure one of them!

The Sun of Tiphareth is Absu’s second album, released in 1995, and is very much a product of its time. With a slightly thin production featuring buzzing treble-heavy guitars and clattering drums, it’s a throwback to the kind of 90s black metal that Osmose absolutely flooded the market with at a time when relatively limited competition emanated from mainstream labels yet to understand the commercial potential of the new underground forms. The only surprise is that Absu hail from Texas, with a sound that leans heavily on European influences. Although the sound itself is not especially startling, the fact that is was generated by an American band in the mid-90s certainly was.

‘Apzu’ kicks things off in fine style, showcasing the various elements of the Absu sound, juxtaposing thrashing black metal, with Celtic melodies and clean female vocals. The interesting rhythmic interplay between the guitars and drums, a feature of Absu’s sound throughout their discography, elevates the composition above many of their more mediocre peers, and demonstrates the value of boasting Proscriptor McGovern as not just their drummer,but unusually, their vocalist and key songwriter. McGovern once reportedly came close to replacing Paul Bostaph in Slayer, but here in his own band, he gives a tour de force performance behind the kit, and indeed the mic.

The rest of the record, aside from a short atmospheric keyboard interlude, is an unrelenting barrage of black / death metal. At times Absu call to mind Celtic Frost with the barreling arrogant riffing of the monstrous album highlight ‘Feis Mor Tir Na N’Og’, and at others early Bathory if only they had incorporated a human drum machine, such as on ‘Cyntefyn’s Fountain’.

As may be apparent from the song and album titles, Absu have a fairly unusual thematic and lyrical approach. While esoteric theological and occult themes and metal are frequently comfortable bedfellows, Absu choose to combine the predominant Celticisms with Crowleian Satanism and Sumerian mythology in a somewhat bewildering combination. Although these concepts may not hang together as a coherent belief system, it is difficult not to admire the completeness of Absu’s bizarre vision and depth of their imagined worldview, and it undoubtedly adds a layer of intrigue to an already compelling proposition. Not unlike Melechesh (probably the nearest musical comparison, and a band that McGovern briefly joined), and even Nile, Absu often bring the influences to bear musically, which adds a welcome dimension to music that occasionally threatens to be little more than a collection of riffs and tempo changes.

If there is a criticism to be levelled at what is a frequently enjoyable album, it is the fact that the songwriting ultimately fails to match the obvious ambition of musicians that have the skill to execute almost anything they compose. The Sun Of Tiphareth is labyrinthine in scope, but not as sophisticated as one imagines Absu thought it could be. Transitions between riffs are generally perfunctory, and not infrequently, the band pile riffs atop one another while failing to develop some of the ideas with the most significant potential – the brilliant duelling riff that occupies the first section of the closing title track being the foremost example. It is, however, never less than an intriguing early milestone in the developing career of a superb band who would truly hit their stride in the albums to follow.

First published here: https://alifetimeofmusic537956501.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/absu-the-sun-of-tiphareth/

Damn, last week I was playing Absu's second full-length album "The Sun of Tiphareth" and I realized that... most likely I haven't been listening to this record for more than ten years! Time flies so quickly, you mainly listen to tones of new music, which comes in… You also frequently listen to some classic LPs, but there're always some, which you somehow forget about. And this is what happened with "The Sun of Tiphareth"! I used to have a cassette with this album, then later in the mid 00's I bought the picture LP released by Agonia Records, but somehow this album stayed somewhere in the shadow... and yes, I haven't listened it for so many years. Luckily, I finally took my virgin copy of vinyl and decided to play it... and damn, it feels so good to listen to this album again. It's been so long that I feel like I am discovering some parts of this album again! There are some moments I still remember very well, while some other feel kind of fresh, what is great. Anyway, one thing is certain - the album still sounds as great as I remembered and even if I prefer the debut LP over this one, “The Sun…” still belongs to my three favourite Absu records ever!

I guess that if I was about to compare "The Sun of Tiphareth" to "Barathrum" then one thing, which I like more about the debut album is that it had more evil atmosphere and that the songs on the first LP were all just utterly superb, with incredibly memorable moments, totally awesome vocals, keyboards and just everything about "Barathrum" sounded perfect. And the atmospheric part of it was just incredible. Saying that I don't mean that "The Sun of Tiphareth" is not good. It is also totally amazing, truly classic black metal album, with some brilliant songs and many exceptional ideas and performances. But I just liked the songs from the debut more.

Anyway, "The Sun of Tiphareth" kicks off with one killer song titled "Apzu". Oh, this eleven minutes long anthem is the best piece from the whole album and it is just a pure pleasure to listen to it. It has just awesome riffs, many memorable parts, a lot of diversity - from the very aggressive moments to more atmospherics parts, including some female vocals... The song - just like the whole album, really - has a strong mystical, occult and dark atmosphere, and the greatest thing about Absu is how well they have managed to put their intriguing concept and atmosphere into original and exceptional music. "Barathrum" was a great example for that and now "The Sun of Tiphareth" is a rightful continuation and again we can say that none other band has ever recorded something like this. But back to "Apzu", this song is almost like a journey for the listener... a journey into the unknown, where you simply don't know what to expect, but keep on going, as there are so many surprises everywhere that it amazes you. This song has many layers, many different passages; great guitar work, fantastic drumming of Proscriptor and finally the insane vocals (shared between Proscriptor and Shaftiel)! Arrangements in this one song are enough to convince how unique Absu is, how great ideas they have... and these lyrics! When I listen to this song, read the lyrics, it is almost the same feeling as when I do this with King Diamond records.

It couldn't be a better start. But now I can moan a little… Two following songs, "Feis Mor Tir Na N'og (Across the North Sea to Visnech)" and "Cyntefyn's Fountain" are just not quite as brilliant as "Apzu"... they're good and have also some exceptional moments, but as the whole are just not on the same level of perfection as the opening song. That flawlessness comes back with another masterpiece, "A Quest into the 77th Novel"; that instrumental passage with acoustic guitars, which comes after the spoken female vocal part, is just brilliant! Another fine song, which I must mention is "The Coming of War", which sounds very different, with a strong classic thrash metal influence, which may resemble you even the great German gods of thrash. The song is very vicious, very aggressive and has this classic metal vibe, which the band would explore even more on their third album "The Third Storm of Cythraul". Somehow though it still fits perfectly to the rest of the LP and it doesn't feel out of place at all. It’s because Absu plays everything in own way and style, adding some extra flavour to it… So even if "The Coming of War" doesn't have any atmospheric parts at all and is just damn vicious and merciless thrashing black metal song, it still sound perfectly and has its rightful place on "The Sun of Tiphareth".
Standout tracks" "Apzu", "A Quest into the 77th Novel", "The Coming of War"
Final rate: 85/100

Absu’s second album is superior to its first one in every aspect. Here the band has evolved and created a sound of its own. This album is a landmark record in the Black/Thrash genre. While the genre they started with was already ambitious enough if you consider the fact that they are from the United States, and not Norway, it just wasn’t that new for the overall global metal scene. Also, the production wasn’t right.

Now I’m not saying that the first album was terrible, but the fact is that it doesn’t hold candlelight in front of this mighty release.

A lot of credit for this impregnable offering should go to the drummer. He is not human. He can add breath taking fills and rolls within a flash. You won’t see them coming, you won’t know when they came, and your ears won’t believe what they just heard. He’s doing things so effortlessly it almost looks like he’s bored and therefore does a little thing of his own whenever he “gets the time”. Speed merely being the focus of black metal, it does not allow the drummer to experiment much. Who knows how many great drummers are hidden behind the curtain? Well, I can tell you this guy definitely isn’t.

Probably in a need to keep up with the drummer, almost all the riffs are tremolo picked. The good thing is that they neither sound bland, nor repetitive. The rhythm guitars perform consistently without pauses or show-offs. The vocals couldn’t be better. Raspy chill shrieks as their very best.

The overall sound and mixing is perfectly balanced. While the musicians are simply going insane the producer is making sure that all instruments count. The medieval atmosphere has been captured perfectly as well. The thrash part of “Black/Thrash” is very much present as can be noticed by the 80s intensity displayed by the musicians.

This record has surpassed most black metal feats achieved by the famous Norwegian bands you started the genre with, and it is as enjoyable and aggressive as their best releases. A thrilling experience is something I can guarantee.

One of Absu earlier albums happens to be one of their best. For reasons similar to the reasons why The Third Storm of Cythraul is overlooked The Sun of Tiphareth also suffers through. The huge success of a very well done album, Tara, makes people think there is no Absu before said album. Well Absu was alive and kicking well before Tara in 2001. In fact Absu was bashing your face in with blackened thrash riffs that had held the same feel as such great energy filled 80’s thrash acts had like Sodom and Kreator. The Sun of Tiphareth is filled with energy, intensity, old style influenced thrash riffs fused with black metal atmospheres and themes, and straight forward head banging and skull crushing metal fun.
This album does what a metal album should do, deliver consistent non stop metal in a style that is ever present. The Sun of Tiphareth combines two of the best styles of metal, Black and Thrash. Certain songs like Cyntefyn’s Fountain are laid out in a thrash style that more or less have a straight forward thrash style riff that is on the darker sounding side. Its pounding, aggressive, and relentless. The band brings the song and its representative style for songs on the album out of just straight thrash by adding different elements to the song. Such as light sounding keyboards that simply add to the flow, atmosphere and consistency of the song that give it a black metal touch. They are never overused to the point where you can even distinguish them as a lead instrument (except in a divider track that is its own song). The guitar riff always carries the songs on this album. They can range from slow and technical, to fast and pounding. Songs like The Coming Of War have a fast and aggressive guitar riff that builds up into harsh vocals that deliver the dark lyrics. While not afraid to slow down their style Absu also brings the riff down a bit to match a slow pounding war style drum to add power to the song. The Sun of Tiphareth will and does do most anything to their songs to add depth, power, and aggression.
The vocals on this album are for the most part a combination of harsh thrash vocals and screeching black metal vocals. Occasionally they will come to a high pitch to accentuate the end of a lyrical phrase or at the end of a harsh scream to harbor in transition. They are also dead on and are quite audible. Which is nice since they remain to be audible and understandable while still being harsh and aggressive. They never once sound gargled or too deep. Good quality medium to high pitched aggressive, harsh, and blackened style vocals.
The Sun of Tiphareth is a great early album for Absu. Featuring some straight forward thrash/black metal songs done in a unique style as well as having some songs with great depth and diversity, changing speeds, styles, instruments (acoustic for example), and tempo/intensity. This album is sure to make a thrash or black metal fan head bang for it has some great aggressive riffs. The drums are always there to give a loud presence and lend aid to the main focus of the riffs, giving them power. This album doesn’t feature any delayed satisfaction through close listening. You won’t be amazed by technical speed, skill, or structure, that is what masturbation metal is for. This is thrash and black metal fused at their finest. For the head bangers and those who like good damn riff based thrash and black metal inspired by 80‘s bands like Venom and Sodom. Pussies need not apply. This album could have been a bit more aggressive and I felt that it failed to reach a few high points, like it was holding itself back.

Really, the difference between Absu's debut and this album is astounding. Barathrum VITRIOL was really nothing more than a weak attempt to copy Darkthrone's earlier material with a touch of extra thrash and synth elements. However, The Sun Of Tiphareth saw Absu moving swiftly and confidently into their own unique style, purging the dullness and cheese of the previous album and replacing it with a massive dose of thrash violence and an even bigger dose of epic. In fact, this stands out from the rest of their catalogue mainly due to said epic nature. The album has a sweeping, panoramic quality which was traded in for a more directly savage attack on The Third Storm Of Cythraul and Tara - both excellent in their own right, but still overshadowed by this one.

For once, the production is entirely perfect. The mix is perfectly balanced, everything in it's correct place. Proscriptor's drumming here is generally slower, a pounding backbone replete with plenty of mind-blowing double bass work, while the guitars and bass sound crushingly heavy. The songwriting moves everything along with liquid momentum, throwing in female vocals (both operatic and spoken) and atmospheric synths occasionally - just at the right moments, such as the sudden breakdown in the 11-minute epic opener "Apzu" and the martial interlude in "A Quest Into The 77th Novel".

There's literally no filler here. Even the instrumental interlude "Our Lust For Lunar Plains" acts as a fitting lead-in for the savagery of "The Coming Of War'. The ending title track, meanwhile, is a more straightforward assault, featuring some abusive quasi-drum-solo sections and a massively strangulating chorus. I seriously cannot stress how excellent this disc is - it's replay value is immense, with new sonic qualities revealing themselves on each listen. Absu ist krieg!

The Sun of Tiphareth, my first album by these occult American black/thrashers, and i've since been enthralled by all their albums. But, The Sun of Tiphareth remains their most experimental and mystical album yet.

Everything is top notch, from the opening melodic riff in Apzu, you know this is going to be good. This song took me a while to get into; like the entire album. It doesn't really sit still for any amount of time till it reaches 4:35, and it's headbanging time. The production is perfect, Proscriptors serpent vocals have never sounded better. His drumming isn't overly fast, but still quite technical and as always he uses plenty of interesting fills which never grow old. The sparse use of keyboards throughout the album enhance that 'magikal' feeling Absu manages to give off with this album. The guitars are perfect, not too melodic, with some interesting lead work. My only complaint here is the annoying use of female vocals. Especially in A Quest for the 77th Novel, which would otherwise be a great track. I was also pleased they discontinued to use Shaftiels vocals on the masterpiece that is 'Tara', because Proscriptor has always been far superior, and here, Shaftiels vocals can somewhat let down the songs he is predominant on. This is an excellent release, recommened to all fans of metal.