Absu/Infernal Stronghold

Absu and Infernal Stronghold; it makes sense, but I'm still surprised by it. I think of Absu as one of those metal bands who've hit the next step and sell enough to make a living. Whether this is right or wrong (probably wrong) I didn't expect to see them team up with Infernal Stronghold, a band I picture excelling best in someone's basement in between bong rips for a totally self-produced split. All of that said, the packaging is simple, hand done, and great. Artwork courtesy of Dilek Baykara, and a great track from both bands on a flexi disc.

When I received this in the mail from Infernal Stronghold, I thought they were having a fun time with me and just mailing me a sleeve; it took a second for me to realize what a flexi disc was. Beyond the physicality of it, the music itself is great.

Absu's redeveloped sound funneled through thrashy razor riffing leads perfectly into one of Infernal Stronghold's more black metally songs with their signature grimy production. Both tracks are excellent, but it's hard not to give it to Infernal Stronghold as their dank punky take on blacken thrash is a winner 9 times outta 10.

Yeah this is a lazy post, yeah I don't give a shit.