Band: ABSU
Country of origin: USA
Style: black metal
Questions by: Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied by: Equitant (guitars,
bass)
Salve. To start with, what have you been up to lately?
- I myself have been hard at work with my
solo effort EQUITANT. I’m working on a full length album now. All of it
is in a new style from my past solo work. I’m working with Electronic sound
scapes of Techno and Ambient music. Still with a dark trancing touch. The
new album will be called "DESIGN"… I’m still hard at work looking for a
label to release this work. Other than that, just still doing promotion
for “Tara”, and interviews. Nothing much else.
It
is said you’re of Celtic origin. How did you come to figure it out? Can
you list us any kind of genealogical tree (*just curious*)? Were there
any men famous for their deeds or whatever else; amongst your European
ancestors?
- I myself am of Celtic and Teutonic descent. I’m Scot / Irish / German. I have extensive family research my father did years ago, that dates back only to 1654 when my ancestors arrived in North America. As far as my history in Europe I don’t know too much about it. I know the area in Germany we were from was Bavaria. The rest is an enigma to me. I have some ancestors that were major settlers in the New England early colonies that were of importance… but again, the European times... I'm quite unaware of. I wish I knew more about it because I have a very big interest in this.
By the way, I suppose Proscriptor’s “namesake” solo effort was meant as a some kind of homage to his ancestry, huh?
- Yes he has pride for his ancestry!
Ok, now off to ABSU. “Tara” also seems to have been influenced by Celtic heritage, at least in terms of musical canvas… Would you agree with me at this point?
- Yes very much so! We first started to write about the Celtic myths on "The Sun Of Tiphareth"… I started wanting this. Plus we started writing more of battle and swords / magic type fantasy lyrics. So it followed over to the other releases, and now to “Tara”. The album is a concept album. Myself and Proscriptor wrote all of the lyrics. It is about Celtic gods, honor, death and Magic… and the glory of the ancient place called Tara. It’s just something we all feel very close to. It’s a part of us.
We had to wait for “Tara” almost four years… What do you consider a principal reason causing such a bloody break? At least, personally I can think of only certain striving for utter perfection… like let our admirers wait, in order to grant ‘em our most mature work on the outcome…
- Many, many reasons… I vanished for a long time into the mountains. We are very, umm I dont know how to say it. We are very much perfectionist with writing any ABSU album. Things were wrote, and re-wrote many times. We just wanted everything perfect. Also Shaftiel and Proscriptor wrote the whole album. It is the best work by Shaftiel I've ever heard! It’s perfect! I’m not saying this due to the fact I'm in the band, I’m saying this coming from some one who just looks at the music as a whole. Also, the recording itself took many months. This was a very hard album to record and play in the studio. Very difficult! We also mixed it many times… just to get it the way we wanted it. The next album is going to go much faster! So no more 3 year waits! No way!
What differs “Tara” from all the previous efforts by ABSU most, is that it strikes as EXTREMELY weird CD in terms of sound execution; especially when it comes to drum tracks…
- I would agree with you. It has a whole new sound for us. We did this one digital, as well as "In The Eyes Of Ioldanach". All other efforts were done Analog. Yes, the drums do have a different sound, it is just the way Proscriptor wanted them! I think the sound is one of the best we have had so far.
Was
it Nomad Recording Studios, you’ve crafted “Tara” at? Does it differ a
lot from that “Reel To Reel” place you used to record at formerly?
- Yes, well. Our first time at Nomad was with "The Temples Of Offal" e.p. For the other albums, well… "Barathrum" was recorded at home studios… with a buget of only $800.00. "Tiphareth" was recorded at 3 studios: Goodnight, Reel to Reel and another home studio. That album was recorded on very old recording equipment from the 1970's, so this is how was got such a warm and heavy sound. Plus we had a great engineer on it. "… And Shineth Unto The Cold Cometh" e.p. was also a private studio, recorded by us. "The Third Storm..." was when we entered the new and improved Nomad Studios. And all other albums to now have been do at that studio. I think the next album "Absu", will be done at a new studio… we are in need of a change. Sound and atmosphere.
As far as I know, King Diamond also entered Nomad, much more than once… Have you ever met him personally?
- Oh yes I’ve met him once. He is a very
cool and nice man! And it was a real honor for me to meet someone that
I worshiped growing up… I've been a fan of MERCYFUL FATE / KING DIAMOND
for many years. Shaftiel knows him very well… its just a honor to have
him here in Dallas. Very cool!
Have you already
found a “missing link”, the fourth one to complete the lineup? Who is it,
and what were you guided by, placing your choice?
- Yes after many years of looking and looking
this black earth we have found a fourth member. He fits in like non other
would! And very good at lead work. This next album will be a new horizon
for the ABSU! His name is Kashshapu.
Could you please
enlighten us at least a bit in regards to the lyrical concept “Tara” comes
with?
- War, magic, Myths and hate.
Does the way Herve @ Osmose work gladdens you? And do your activities gladden THEM?
- Yes, we have known Herve since 1991 or so… he and Osmose has supported us very well through the years.
If I’m not mistaken, you have a couple of videos behind you, however, strangely, I didn’t see ‘em being sold anywhere. Please, speak about their content.
- You can get them from Osmose. The video is called "In The Visions Of Ioldanach". It contains two videos. "Fantasizing To The Third Of The Pagan Vision" and "Mannannan".
When should we expect the next offering of yours hit the stores? Much more than a single year, I assume…
- Well, no! We plan to record by Summer 2002… the new album will be called "Absu". It will glorify ancient Sumerian.
“Barathrum:
V.I.T.R.I.O.L.”, “The Sun Of Tiphareth”, “The Third Storm Of Cythraul”,
“In The Eyes Of Ioldanach”, “Tara”… Do you consider each of the album listed
a part of one single musical chronology… or on the contrary?
- Yes the all are tied in in some way… each album has a unique image and music. Each of them giving to the fans how we were at that point in time.
Any plans to re-release “Temples Of Offal”?
- I’m sure one day we will. It’s been over ten years since we did that now. maybe one day we will put it on a ABSU "best of" album… (*laughs*)
It seems like you have undeniably long and trustworthy relation(friend?)ship with Riddick brothers… Any common plans lying ahead, that you’d like to share with us?
- I’m sure Proscriptor has some plans with them. They did release EQUITANT demo back a few years ago, called "The Great Lands Of Minas Ithil". They were very cool to support me with that! It helped a lot!
Magic is an inalienable part of your life, at least that’s how it looks like. Hence the question is: would you say, music only is it’s supplement?
- Well, you would have to ask Proscriptor about that. I myself? The music is most important! It’s life!
Do you have any knowledge on Russia? Generally speaking, do you know anything concerning the country of mine, as well as (black) metal scene we have here?
- Oh, I have a few friends here in Texas that are Russian. I also have Russian food quit often. As far as the BM scene? I don’t know too much about it. I would like to see your lands some day for sure!
Each discussion has it’s time to stop. So does this one… Final statements, please.
- Yes, do look out for the new album "Absu"…
when the time is right. I hail to all Russian fans! We thank you for the
support! Hail Tara!
ABSU contact -
Email: equitant@prodigy.net
http://www.absu.ws [ABSU official website]
http://equitant.cjb.net [EQUITANT official
website]
[BMP] equitant@netscape.net