The only original member of Plano, Texas extreme-metal band Absu is vocalist/drummer Proscriptor McGovern (or Russley Randell Givens to the I.R.S.). Nevertheless, the band’s self-titled release this year is arguably their best. By trading standard-issue, studded-leather death metal for slightly scarier studded-leather black metal (you know it’s scary, because in promo photos some members have actually put paint in their beards), McGovern has successfully resurrected his band and gained some much needed, paint-stained footing along the way. With Averse Sefira and Sothis.
Sun., June 21, 7 p.m., 2009