The Summary Judgment Reviews:

	Title: Tara Artist: Absu Label: Osmose Productions Release Date: 6/18/01 Rating: 4 Skulls
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Submitted by Requiem (6/13/01):
Absu is truly one of the most underrated bands in extreme metal today. They are often tagged by journalists and listeners as a black metal band, but the fact of the matter is they are so much more. Their sound carries the similar characteristics but at the same time, no other bands sound like Absu. The band rather refer to themselves as "mythological occult metal," which helps give them the originality tag they so rightfully deserve. Not only do they have a very unique sound, but their lyrics are on the bizarre side, and truth be told I don't know a hell of a lot about what these twisted Texans are singing about besides some sort of occultic mythology and god knows what else. I can almost safely say that lyrically these guys are in a world of their own.
The album is divided into two movements but damned if I know the relevance yet because I don't have the lyrics. If I did would that help? Fat chance. The album starts out with a bagpipe intro, which adorns the album's title ("Tara"). Upon the start of track no. two is quite possibly the most powerful and energetic way Išve heard anyone start an album. It starts with a crazy drum fill and as soon as the guitars kick in, and I mean the first note, there is a ripping guitar solo on top of a whirlwind of hyperspeed double bass and thrash filled guitar rhythms. It's just one of the most intense ways to start an album and if you still aren't paying attention after that, I think you've better get checked out to make sure you don't have ADD. From here on in the album continues to pummel in a fashion that makes it trademark Absu. The album flies with unrelentless ferocity from beginning to end, and not in a way that gets boring. It's fast in a thrashy way and not in a continuous blast beat sort of way. I can't really recommend any one track over the other because all Absu is quality. As production has put a damper on some of the past releases, I have no complaints here. Everything is crisp; there is no lack of bass in the mix and most importantly the drums, being the highlight of this band, sound tremendous.
Letšs start off by saying that Proscriptor is easily one of my favorite drummers of all time. He has a style that screams originality and technical abilities that can be matched by few. It's very thrashy with a lot of snare fills and high hat tricks all over the place, and those just happen to be qualities I like in a drummer that plays this style of extreme music. You really have to hear it to see what I'm talking about, but Proscriptor is a very talented man and should be recognized among the greatest of drummers worldwide. I think that very few that know a thing or two about drums would disagree with me here. The vocals on the album, which I think are performed mainly by Proscriptor as well, have a unique quality that also outshine the copycat vocals that bring down the black metal genre to its stagnant state. They also recruit some guest vocals throughout the album and on "Stone of Destiny" there's a vocalist who can belt out some serious vox, and I mean serious. Around the 6.5 minute mark is a vocal performance that blows my mind. Not sure who it is yet but I'll find out for my own benefit.
Five albums since their monstrous debut and they aren't letting up for anyone. Tara is a worthwhile addition to the Absu catalog and has potential to be their best. The drum skills alone are worth your hard earned dollars and for the simple sake of treating your precious eardrums to something that doesn't sound like a second rate Emperor or Burzum. Absu have always ruled in this genre and I believe they always will. If you have any of the past albums and like them, do go get this. If you are new to the Absu camp, you really have to do yourself a favor and just go get anything by them. I would have to say that this album is closer to The Sun of Tiphareth than to any of the other albums by Absu but they are all very original and great. Tara is Absu 2001, and it is a force to be reckoned with.

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