The June 17 gig at Peabody's of Cleveland is Absu's first Ohio concert date in over eight years. As a tepid crowd of 40 enters, however, it becomes apparent Texas' mythological occult metalheads will not get the respect they deserve. Perhaps the group is cursed - early tour mates like Destroyer 666, Glorior Belli and Averse Sefira dropped off before the trek even started. Perhaps tonight's show was not advertised properly, or maybe the band's long hiatus has eliminated any prior momentum. Regardless, all four bands in at this midweek show are forced to play their best for little recognition. Cleveland's Afterlight is up first, the young black metal outfit instantly drawing attention with intricate battle armor and ghoulish corpse paint. Cold and gloomy, the band's tunes never break out of mid-tempo but consistently pummel....
[read full story]
powered by 