Texas-based, mythological occult metal band, ABSU will join the mighty IMMORTAL on their return to the US for six shows early next year. The dates, announced yesterday and listed below, will mark the first live performances for Absu since the Scion Rock Fest in March of this year; the band completing two headline tours in 2009 to support the release of their sixth studio album, titled Absu.

Drummer/vocalist Proscriptor notes, "We feel extremely privileged to have been invited to participate on Immortal’s All Shall Fall US tour in February 2011. Even though it is only a six-date tour, it’s a colossal one for Absu to be performing with our former label mates of many years. We had the opportunity to share the stage with Immortal over eight years ago and this will be a very good experience for us."

Absu came to international prominence with the release of their debut album, Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L in 1993. After several highly acclaimed albums, the band went on hiatus after the release of their 2001 album, Tara. In 2007, the band announced their return, and released Absu in late February 2009. "Absu is the sound incarnate of a band making the underground amazing again," said Terrorizer. Kerrang! affirms, "Absu is an album that stuns on impact alone…. absolutely devastating."

These upcoming performances will mark the first time that Absu will appear live as a trio. Proscriptor comments, "I am here to announce that guitarist Aethyris McKay has decided to quit Absu and has recently relocated to Oslo , Norway to join Pantheon I. Working with Aethyris for the past three years has been a prosperous experience and I have the utmost respect for him as my comrade and a superlative musician. He assisted me in resurrecting the band from its hiatus stage and I truly thank him for helping me recast the spell of “mythological occult metal."

Immortal with Absu US Tour:

February

19 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
20 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small´s Theatre
22 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
24 - Denver, CO - Summit Theatre
26 - San Antonio, TX - Backstage Live

After completion of the dates with Immortal, Absu will enter the studio to begin recording their new album, titled Abzu. The recording will be the second of a three-part series. Proscriptor reveals, "this recording will feature our signature sound in maniacal fashion. Now we’re appending dirtier elements of psychedelia, and fusing characteristics. Lyrically, it will descend deeper into Enki’s lower world as well the Enochian Magic(k) System. I can tell you this album will definitely not be a "natural progression" from previous releases, but a feat of metaphysical conquest and murkiness."

Projected track listing of Abzu (in no particular order) is: 'Circles Of The Oath', 'A Song For Ea', 'Skrying In The Spirit Vision', 'The Waters – The Denizens', 'Warren Of Imhullu', 'Earth Ripper Ontologically', 'It Became Time & Space', 'Vita Janua Mortis'.