PROSCRIPTOR MCGOVERN’S APSÛ - s/t CD

When drummer/vocalist Proscriptor (Russ R. Givens) dissolved Absu on January 27th 2020, his main intention was to splinter the 30-year old faction into a renewed songwriting concord. Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû is the obvious by-product of that chemical breakdown, which constitutes a new incarnation and direct continuation of Absu’s legacy. Securing the ranks is continuing bassist/vocalist Ezezu (Absu: 2008-2020), new guitar virtuoso Vaggreaz (Possessed/Gruesome) and keyboardist Vorskaath (Zemial/Agatus/ex-Varathron). Since Absu’s last, unreleased album was to be penned as “Apsû,” Proscriptor fused the title with his name to form the group. With this much anticipated, self-titled album, Proscriptor’s objective was to append the signature sound of “mythological occult metal,” but to convolute it with bouts of psychedelia, fusion and vintage electronics.

Written for those who are curious and unwearied in their quest of arcane knowledge, the album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both Proscriptor and J.T. Longoria (Absu/King Diamond/Solitude Aeternus) and mastering by Swedish Grammy nominee Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss/ex-Manowar), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir/Vltimas/ex-Mayhem), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus). To assemble the album’s packaging with eight separate portrait illustrations, the band has re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Darkthrone/Portal/Watain).

Jewelcase CD.

Agonia 2021