ONE OF THE EXTREME METAL ALBUMS OF THE YEAR NOW AVAILABLE AS A SPECIAL EDITION WITH BONUS LIVE DVD American extreme metal royalty returns with their first new studio album in eight years. The self-titled recording features the newly expanded quartet with an all-star array of guest musicians. Belgian artist Kris Verwimp handled the albums surreal packaging while the sonic aspects were directed by the band with mixing controlled by J.T. Longoria (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus). The albums thirteen tracks clock in at nearly an hour, a journey fans have been anxiously awaiting. Texas-based Absu came to international prominence with the release of their debut, Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L. in 1992. Originally released via Gothic Records the label later licensed the record to Frances Osmose Productions (Immortal, Enslaved, Marduk). Absu would establish a solid relationship with the label and thus release all later recordings via the renowned independent, including the highly regarded Tara (2001). In 2007 the band would announce a new partnership with London-based Candlelight Records. The self-described mythological occult metal, the band has consistently draws lyrically from various mythological ideologies. Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor notes, "lyrically, I am concentrating more on Sumerian-based occult themes of magick and mythology versus the Celtic aspect of my previous writings, which was heavily expressed on the last few Absu studio albums. Musically speaking, the material will be quite similar to 'Tara', but with more of a '70s progressive/ psychedelic texture within it."