Absu - Tara

Perhaps the biggest challenge the Texans had to face on this - their fourth album - is that `Pillars of Mercy`is such a brilliant opener it was always going to be a tall order to fulfil the promise of that first track - an `Angel of Death` for black metal. To the band`s credit, they are relentless in that pursuit and there are plenty of gems in the Slayer-with-Ishahn-on-vocals vein here to get get your teeth into - `From Ancient Times`and `Four Crossed Wands` spring to mind, but there is nary a duff track amongst them. As it turns out, Absu leave one of their best songs til last; `Stone of Destiny` is slower and has a more epic feel than the other songs on the album, even adding some high pitched Halford-esque vocals for good measure. Possibly the release`s most interesting aspect is the esoteric lyrical content, the liner notes containing a comprehensive lexicon of mythological terms.

Usually I`m not wild about bands who fall under the hybridized `black/thrash` banner as they often lack variation and atmosphere, and while some of that criticism can be applied here, Absu bring enough intelligence and flair to the table to be well above the norm. The band has a long and varied back catalogue which I have yet to check out, so only time will tell whether their other releases are as worthwhile. Regardless, `Tara` is a keeper.


7/10