I have no idea what has happened, but since their last album, 2019’s ‘Walk Beyond The Dark’, there has been quite a shift in the Abigail Williams ranks. Over the years there has been quite a few people coming through the band, but founder Ken Sorceron (ex-Aborted, ex-The Faceless, Vale Of Pnath, Nachtmystium) has decided to ring the changes again and while he provides vocals and guitars he has again turned the band into a quartet with the addition of Vance Valenzuela (Vale Of Pnath) on guitars, John Porada (ex-Nachtmystium, ex-Wolvhammer) on bass and Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) on drums. However, this never sounds like a ‘new’ band, even though it is, as Ken Sorceron has now been at the helm since its inception more than 20 years ago, and the result is something which is incredibly powerful and dynamic.
There are times when we move out of the black metal genre altogether, and it becomes straight rock, except played incredibly heavily even though there may well be an acoustic guitar sat underneath. There are times when it is strangely reminiscent of Dimmu Borgir, yet there are no keyboards, just punching guitars, bass and drums. The use of space, tempo changes and moves within and out of genre make for an album which stays fascinating throughout and is wonderfully powerful. I have been a fan of Abigail Williams for years, no matter who is actually playing (apart from Sorceron of course), and this arguably their heaviest and most interesting album yet. Fans of black metal will do well to seek this out.
Rating: 9/10
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/AbigailWilliamsBand
https://www.agoniarecords.com/