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Abigail Williams: Becoming
07/02/12 || Cobal
I’ve got to be honest: I’ve been thinking of this review the whole damn week. I mean I know everybody has a life and stuff to do, as a matter of fact that’s the reason why I must wake ‘ntil Sat night to start writing. And no, I won’t even try to sell the cheap lie of me planning my writing for days, still it’s true I had tried to mentally highlight the points I wanted to get across. And everything was clearly and neatly ready for being started, except I ran into last Abigail William’s effort.
I truly felt like reviewing this one before anyone here, for my previous plans had already fallen apart when listening to it. And there are strong reasons for that to have happened, I can tell you that.
Now, after the HUGE disappointment that “In The Absence Of Light” was, my expectations were low, really low. And before that? Well, you got a couple core releases I couldn’t have cared for any less, and a symphonic black metal album that managed to catch the attention of many. Include me there. Yes, “In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns” was a fine album. Believe me. Also notice I said fine and nothing else. Indeed, it was the little hope and curiosity for finding any remains of those technical guitar riffs, killer drumming and real symphonic not-only-simple-keyboard-chords-held-up-to-eternity accompaniment that brought me to listen to “Becoming”. I found nothing of’em.
So, what on earth is there to be found here? A couple reviewers have even dared to label it as atmospheric or ambient black metal. Labels and classifications are often misleading; I know, but in this case, those two are quite illustrative. It’s official: Abigail Williams have again veered on their path; at least musically.
The album opens with “Ascension Sickness” and no, is not one of those ball-kicking riffs that’ll make you go wild and head bang since the very beggining; au contraire, it’s calm dark guitar notes that brake the silence. Some wind in the background announces something is awakening and the rest of the instruments join almost delicately, if you like. Then it hits you; next thing you know you’re squared in the eye of a storm, defenseless. It’s epic tremolo riffs that surround you and won’t let you go for a couple minutes. Right after your are to admit they got you with your pants off, and also you started to arrogantly believe you had learnt everything that there is to in this first track, calm comes back and strings make their appearance. Yes, I’m talking’bout cellos and shit; and they rock. Shut up. The song takes its leave leaving behind a trail of folk guitar arpeggios. Hell, this jewel takes little more than eleven minutes out of your miserable existence, and every single second is worth it.
What about the vocals, uh? As they occur in “Radiance”, Ken Sorceron’s singing is the same during all the record: raw, dark and quite little. I really enjoy when instrumentalists who make throat work for their super badass bands (notice the italics, please) are able to keep their mouths shut and focus on the music. There are also several moments when speaking female voices step up to accompany the most minimalistic spots, but as you can imagine, they ain’t meant to outstand in any way.
Let me state plainly: absolutely NOTHING in this work is meant to take a leading role, but to be merely another element in the complex construction of the whole. There, dear readers, is where the greatness of “Becoming” lies; it’s a solid set of elements wisely brought together. Needless to say this shit is hopefully becoming one of many highlights to come this year. Haters, fans and others come and contemplate contemporary forms of disturbing music!
- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Candlelight Records
- Website: Abigail Williams MySpace
- Band
- Ken Sorceron: guitars, vocals
- Ian Jekelis: guitars
- Griffin Wotawa: bass
- Zach Gibson: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Ascension Sickness
- 02. Radiance
- 03. Elestal
- 04. Infinite Fields of Mind
- 05. Three Days of Darkness
- 06. Beyond the Veil
