Absu is the fifth studio album by black metal band Absu.
It was released on February 16, 2009 (Europe) and February 24, 2009 (USA) by Candlelight Records

Candlelight Records

Candlelight Records is an independent record label based in Europe founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal and death metal, having bands such as Emperor,...

. It is the debut recording for new members Aethyris MacKay and Zawicizuz with additional musical contributions from Vastator Terrarum (who left before completing the album) and original guitarist Shaftiel. Ezezu joined the band after the recording process was completed. This is the band's first new album since 2001's Tara. In October 2009, Candlelight Records announced the album would re-released and repackaged on January 26, 2010 with a DVD of a live performance in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on June 19, 2009.

Track listing

1. "Between the Absu of Eridu and Erech" (Aethyris/Proscriptor) 4:08
2. "Night Fire Canonization" (Proscriptor/Shaftiel) 3:19
3. "Amy" (Proscriptor/Zawicizuz) 4:54
4. "Nunbarshegunu" (Aethyris/Ashmedi/Vastator) 3:05
5. "13 Globes" (Aethyris/Proscriptor) 4:46
6. "... Of the Dead Who Never Rest in Their Tombs Are the Attendance of Familiar Spirits ... Including: A.) Diversified Signs Inscribed; B.) Our Earth of Black; C.) Voor" (Proscriptor/Zawicizuz) 7:03
7. "Magic(k) Square Cipher" (Aethyris/Proscriptor) 4:48
8. "In the Name of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee" (Proscriptor/Vastator) 3:25
9. "Girra's Temple" (Proscriptor/Shaftiel) 2:38
10. "Those of the Void Will Re-Enter" (Aethyris/Ashmedi/Vastator) 4:56
11. "Sceptre Command" (Aethyris/Proscriptor) 5:00
12. "Ye Uttuku Spells" (Aethyris/Ashmedi/Vastator) 4:41
13. "Twix Yesterday, the Day and the Morrow" (Equitant) 0:57

Album Line-Up

• Proscriptor McGovern – Vocals, Drums and Percussion, Mellotron and Lyrics
• Aethyris MacKay – Electric Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic and Bass Guitars, Mellotron
• Zawicizuz – Electric Lead, Rhythm, and Bass Guitars, Synthesizers, Programming

Album Special Guests

• Ashmedi (Melechesh) – Lyrics for "Nunbarshegunu," "Those of the Void Will Re-Enter," and "Ye Uttuku Spells"
• Blasphemer (Ex-Mayhem
  Mayhem (band)
  Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
  
  /Ava Inferi
  Ava Inferi
  Ava Inferi is a musical group created in Almada, Portugal, by guitarist and songwriter Rune Eriksen .The debut album, Burdens, was released in January 2006....
  
  ) – Guitar solos on "Night Fire Canonization" and "Girra's Temple"
• Equitant (Ex-Absu/Equitant) – Programming/Synth/Arrangements on "Twix Yesterday, The Day & The Morrow"
• David Harbour
  Paul David Harbour
  Paul David Harbour is an American musician, virtuoso bass guitar player, piano and guitar player, and a composer from Dallas, TX. He collaborated with renowned guitarists David T. Chastain, Michael Harris and Tony MacAlpine...
  
   (Ex-King Diamond
  King Diamond (band)
  King Diamond is the heavy metal band that King Diamond formed after the split up of his heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, and the departure of Hank Shermann. He was joined by most members of the then defunct Mercyful Fate. The Satanic focus was replaced by a focus on horror stories...
  
  /David Harbour
  Paul David Harbour
  Paul David Harbour is an American musician, virtuoso bass guitar player, piano and guitar player, and a composer from Dallas, TX. He collaborated with renowned guitarists David T. Chastain, Michael Harris and Tony MacAlpine...
  
  ) – Synthesizer solo on "B) Our Earth of Black" (Part II of "...Of The Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are The Attendance Of Familiar Spirits...")
• Michael Harris
  Michael Harris (guitarist)
  Michael Harris born in Dayton, Ohio is an American musician. He is most noted for his work as founder and guitarist for rock band Arch Rival and for his primarily instrumental progressive guitar work. His later music is a fusion of progressive metal and a hint of classical music...
  
   (Darkology/Michael Harris) – Gutar solo on "In The Name Of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee" and "Those Of The Void Will Re-Enter"
• Mindwalker (The Firstborn) – Backing Vocals and Ceremonial Tibetan Horn
  Dungchen
  The dungchen is a long trumpet or horn used in Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies. It is the most widely used instrument in Tibetan Buddhist culture. It is often played in pairs or multiples, and the sound is compared to the singing of elephants...
  
   on "13 Globes"
• Nornagest (Enthroned
  Enthroned
  Enthroned is a black metal band formed in Charleroi in 1993 by Cernunnos. He soon recruited guitarist Tsebaoth and a vocalist from grindcore/black metal band Hecate who stayed until the end of December 1993. Then bassist/vocalist Sabathan joined. The band released a 5-track demo tape in mid-1994...
  
  ) – Backing Vocals on "Night Fire Canonization" and "Amy"
• Vorskaath (Zemial) – Backing Vocals, Brake Disc
  Disc brake
  The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
  
  , Gates, Greek Bell and Vibraslap
  Vibraslap
  A vibraslap is a percussion instrument consisting of a piece of stiff wire connecting a wood ball to a hollow box of wood with metal “teeth” inside. The percussionist holds the metal wire in one hand and strikes the ball...
  
  on "Amy" and "A) Diversified Signs Inscribed" (Part I of "...Of The Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are The Attendance Of Familiar Spirits...")

Special Edition CD: DVD Tracklist (Live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on June 19, 2009)

1. An Involution of Thorns (Intro) / Descent To Acheron
2. Apzu
3. Night Fire Canonization
4. The Thrice is the Greatest To Ninnigal
5. 13 Globes
6. Amy
7. Nunbarshegunu
8. Voor [Instrumental] / Swords and Leather
9. Four Crossed Wands (Spell 181) / Vorago (Spell 182)
10. Manannan
11. Twix Yesderday, the Day & the Morrow [Instrumental] / Girra's Temple
12. Highland Tyrant Attack
13. Encore: The Coming of War
14. Encore Deux: Magic(k) Square Cipher

Live DVD Line-Up

• Proscriptor McGovern – Vocals, Drums
• Ezezu – Vocals, Bass
• Aethyris MacKay – Guitars
• Zawicizuz – Guitars, Backing Vocals

Production

• Produced & Engineered By Absu
• Executive Production: Candlelight Records
• Pre-production by Zawicizuz
• Drum Engineering By Gary Long & Sterling Winfield
• Mixed By J.T. Longoria
• Mastered & Edited By Proscriptor