Metal Reviews

Absu are lauded and recognized as one of the best USBM albums ever to exist, and they enjoy a hard earned lot of respect from the underground along with some accolades in mainstream recognition. On the other hand Immortal are considered one of the top tier of Norwegian bm, but at the end of the day which band is superior in songwriting, albums, and overall quality of work? Does Absu's thematic, intense, and incredibly layered work defeat the kings of Blaskrykh? Who wins in the end?

Absu all the way.

Toss me in with Absu as well. Their songwriting is just heads and shoulders above Immortal.

Ah this is a really tough one. Immortal is just timeless, classic Norwegian black metal and Absu is one of the best USBM bands and Tara is one of the better releases of all time.

Can't decide.

Easy one for me, Immortal with the win. Abbath has written some of the best riffs in metal and is one of the few BM guys that doesn't have his head stuck totally up his ass. Absu's albums are more complex both musically and lyrically but I could never warm up to McGovern's vocals.

Immortal is classic. In many ways, they solidified the early chaotic nature of the black metal scene; for better or worse, they institutionalized it in many ways. That being said, I'd rather listen to Absu any day over them.

Solid arguments. I think Immortal might have some better riffs individually, but Absu's ability to craft multi-layered albums like Tara or Sun of Tiphareth make then a first tier band. I hold them on the same level as those Norwegian bands, with only Darkthrone really being superior.

I suppose my argument for picking Absu is their brand of complexity both in music and lyrical content. It is very true that Immortal are one of the pioneers of BM. However, Absu are also giants is the USBM scene. I am not saying anything new that other people haven't said but I've always been a sucker when a band backs up their music with great lyrics and complex yet legitimate musicianship. In terms of the vocals for Absu, I think they're great and an additional instrument to Absu's sound.

Fair enough. It's simply a personal preference for me.

I'd rather listen to Immortal on most days (they are a very fun listen), but I think Absu are more talented.

Listened to At The Heart of Winter last night and am going to decide on Immortal for this.

DFMM
Pure Holocaust
At the heart of winter
Damned in black
Sons of Northern Darkness

all classics....

Personally, Immortal didn't survive the passage of time. I think the I project was absolutely fantastic and Demonaz (the project) was also great Viking/Heavy Metal.

I have to disagree with that one. They were good from Diabolical to Sons of Northern Darkness. You could argue that All Shall Fall was a little weak...but it was still a good album with the classic Immortal sound.

I think I and Demonaz were more memorable. Immortal was on constant rotation several years back. My point being as mentioned before is that Immortal hasn't survived time for me. Just personal preference.

I haven't burned myself out on them yet, they are a good band. Absu just are better imo by virtue of songwriting

I believe so, too. Absu is more skilled quite obviously. And yes, I burnt out on Immortal. Absu... not so much.