For those that feel NILE lyrics are a little too mainstream, there's always ABSU. The follow-up to their self-titled 2009 platter, these six tracks are actually the second phase of a planned trilogy. "Earth Ripper" begins with Proscriptor's drum roll, into a Ripper-ish scream, before tumbling headlong into gremlin throated Black Metal, courtesy of the drummer's "unique" vocals. It is never an easy listen.

Second track, "Circles Of The Oath" offers more of the same, until an instrumental ending of acoustic guitar and synthesized strings. Off kilter rhythms keep the ears guessing throughout the sub-4 minute "Abraxas Connexus". More convention structures appear in "Skrying In The Spirit Vision", albeit fleeting. This track is certainly akin to their Norse contemporaries on this on.

"Ontologically, It Became Time & Space" is filled with frenetic hate and speed. After five rather short compositions (only one eclipsing the five minute mark), ABSU offer the 14:26 "A Song For Ea" finale, which is actually subdivided into six distinct (and titled) segments, ranging from airy and atmospheric to technical terrorizing. This album is far more progressive than many of the so-called Progressive Metal acts.