Abigail Williams – Becoming

Abigail Williams is relatively a new band for the black metal scene. Having produced official work from 2006, this band surely came to rock the boat of the usual genre’s stereotypes, placing in their music deathcore sounding vocals at first and then more symphonic orchestrations. The fact that they are from U.S.A. and they have been a support band to many great names, accompanied with a great debut album, made Abigail Williams a quite popular band. There was a little decline, in my opinion, with “In The Absence Of Light” but all of these belong now to the past and a blasting album has now been released.

“Becoming” is just a perfect album for symphonic black metal, and a true golden piece in the whole metal scene. With this album, the band does a new beginning more blackish and melodic. I don’t know why I like this album very much, maybe it sounds better than the two previous albums, or maybe the band members truly transcend themselves in the music compositions. I hope that it’s the second case. Definitely the album left me more than satisfied, after its first listening. Nowadays, the Americans surely know how to play good black metal, if you count the new releases of Wolves In The Throne Room and Leviathan. I really can’t describe the greatness and the perfection of “Becoming” in a few words.

In November the band released a single edition with “Ascension Sickness”, the first song of “Becoming”. It was a great move and gave the listeners a taste of the band’s super progress. It has great riffs that the band didn’t used to have, and a storming blastbeat almost in all the track’s duration. The chaotic vocals give a feeling that I thought I was listening something from the frozen Nordland. Also, the guitar melodies are the first proof of the album’s greatness. “Ascension Sickness” has depressive points too, some extraterrestrial psalms and sounds of acoustic instruments and of course, the great violin sound that gives their music symphonic characteristics. In a few words the song is the perfect opening for a perfect album. Generally, “Becoming” has a depressive attitude and the second song, “Radiance” reveals that. The guitar melody, the slow drumming and the massive growls have something of depression. Despite that Abigail Williams changed their blackened deathcore approach, “Radiance” fills the epicness of “Becoming”. Nearly in the middle of the track, fast riffing and drumming are starting and the result is a pure demonic piece of music. The same goes with “Elestial” too. Pretty awesome depressive melodies in the beginning and then an amazing storm of riffs. The drummer also raises speed and when the vocals enter, we have a fucking great majestic song. It’s hard to describe the transmission of feelings. And it’s also hard to realize that Abigail Williams have composed such a genius song that has nothing to envy from the Scandinavian scene.

The fans of Abigail Williams were used to a mix of sounds in their music. Now we have to deal with an atmospheric album, full of feelings and a music composition such good to give the 10 rating. One of the most loved songs for me in “Becoming” is the fourth one, “Infinite Fields of Mind”. It has a very atmospheric and relaxing intro with the characteristic symphonic music, that in no way prepare for the music slaughter of the following riffs. With this track, we can definitely say that the band is a level up. It has all that a black metal fan can ask. Hellish riffing, smashing and heavy drums and cold-hearted vocals. The Darkthrone influences are clear in the middle of the song until the end, but in no way a copyright of the Norwegian band’s music. This track made me have a positive thought for the album and surely I am a fanatic of “Becoming”. After a symphonic instrumental, another great song, “Beyond the Veil” closes the album. The intro with the violin makes it a beautiful song and the dream-like atmosphere dominates in the beginning. The riffs and vocals once again leak out Scandinavian influences. With the combination of the majestic violin, the great riffs and some chaotic ambient sounds, black metal is evolved into a piece of art. The music breakdowns, show a catatonic attitude in this track, too. I think that with “Becoming” and especially with this song, Abigail Williams have surpassed the masters of symphonic black metal from Norway. All the pain, all the darkness and all the grim, that is needed nowadays in this genre, are contained in “Beyond the Veil”.

From the beginning ’till the end, “Becoming” can’t leave the listener disappointed. With this album, the band becomes an awesome band for the genre, without any additions. This album, eliminates the band’s past albums, so now Abigail Williams have to deal with a new beginning and greater albums in the future , since they did it with great success in “Becoming”. Albums like this are not released every year, especially in the genre. I really can’t find something negative in “Becoming” and I guess we must put it on the list of the best albums in 2012 from now.