Abigail Williams (band)

Abigail Williams is an American black metal band, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but now based in Olympia, Washington. Since their formation in 2004, the group has suffered near-constant changes to their line-up. The band even disbanded in 2007 for a short time before reforming and writing their debut full-length album. Shortly after an eight-week tour in support of their debut full-length album In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns (2008), vocalist Ken Sorceron would become the only original member remaining.

Abigail Williams
Background information
OriginPhoenix, Arizona, U.S.
GenresBlack metal, symphonic black metal, metalcore (early)
Years active2004–present (short hiatus in 2007)
LabelsCandlelight
MembersKen Soceron

The group initially performed a symphonic black metal style, but with the release of the band's second full-length album In the Absence of Light (2010), Abigail Williams would switch to a traditional black metal sound that was also carried out into their third full-length album titled Becoming (2012).

History

The band was formed in 2004 by guitarist Ken Bergeron,[1] who later became the vocalist. Prior to forming Abigail Williams and taking on the name Sorceron, Bergeron was the guitarist of Victims In Ecstacy,[2] followed by participation in various hardcore and metal acts in Arizona.[3]

Abigail Williams' first songs were six demo tracks that were streamed online with a sound described by the band as having "the groove and melody of Gothenburg style death metal, the face smashing breakdowns of the hardcore scene, topped with the bombastic and epic approach favored by the frostbitten black metal hordes".[4] These demo songs were later packaged by a fan into a bootleg named Gallow Hill. Three of these demo tracks would be re-recorded for the Legend EP, including "Melquiades (The Great Work)", which was re-titled "The Conqueror Wyrm" and "Swollen Disgust", which was released as "Like Carrion Birds".[5]

After touring extensively, including a United Kingdom tour in 2006, the band had their debut release through Candlelight Records, which was the Legend EP in 2006, which mixed metalcore influences with symphonic black metal, and was described by Allmusic as "a perfect example of an American recording with a very Nordic-influenced sound".[6][7][8] According to vocalist/guitarist Ken Sorceron, the EP was only released so that the band would have something to promote, explaining "a lot of the songs are, like, older songs, and they felt a bit old. At the time we were trying to make an album and we just couldn't finish it on time for some tours".[8] After touring with Dark Funeral and Enslaved, the band split up in early 2007, although Sorceron later claimed that rather than a permanent split it was a pre-meditated hiatus.[8] Sorceron and Wilson continued playing together in another band, and eventually asked the original Abigail Williams bassist Thomas G. Plaguehammer to join them on drums. They decided to resume Abigail Williams as a band, with Plaguehammer returning to bass, Zach Gibson and Bjorn Dannov rejoining, and also Kristen Randall (Winds of Plague) joining the band.[6] After a tour in late 2007, their drummer and keyboard player left, with Ashley Ellylon rejoining on keyboards and Samus becoming the new permanent drummer.[6]

The band went into the studio with producer James Murphy (former guitarist of Obituary, Testament, and Cancer) to record their debut album, In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns, released in October 2008, on which the metalcore influences that the band had on their previous songs was completely abandoned. The sound of the debut album has even drawn comparisons to Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth.[6][9] Much of its inspiration came from the melodic metal scene found in the Nordic countries.[10] Because bands from these countries were immersed in the mythology of their respective countries, Abigail Williams looked into American history. Arthur Miller's The Crucible brought Abigail Williams, one of the original and foremost accusers in the Salem witch trials of 1692, to their attention.

"The accuser is always relevant in society. In America there were the witch trials, the Red Scare, and now terrorism. Everyone is always quick to point a finger; we do it out of fear, prejudice, and because of things we don’t understand. So, the accuser will always be present in society. Abigail Williams really stuck out to us, not only due to the above mentioned, but also because it possessed that iconic quality, while still sounding very American. We want people to know where we are from, and that even though it may not be cool/trendy, we are proud of our American culture."

— Thomas G. Plaguehammer, About.com[6]

The influence of European metal, particularly Scandinavian, is again evident.[11] The album took more than six months to record, and black metal drummer Trym Torson of Emperor and Enslaved played drums on all tracks on the album except "Floods", "Acolytes", and "Empyrean".[6][12][13] Most of the songs were written by Sorceron while the band was on hiatus in 2007.[13] The band toured Europe and the UK in summer 2008. In 2009, keyboardist Ashley Ellylon became the new keyboardist for Cradle of Filth, replacing Rosie Smith. In October 2009, Sam "Samus" Paulicelli also left to focus on other projects.

Abigail Williams released the deluxe edition of In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns on January 12, 2010, which included a second disc featuring four new songs, one unreleased demo of "Floods," and the music video for "Into the Ashes".[14]

Abigail Williams released their second full-length album, called In the Absence of Light, via Candlelight Records on September 28, 2010. The album shows a considerable difference from the rest of the band's discography, noting its pure black metal sound instead of symphonic black metal.[15]

The band began work on a new album in the summer of 2011, titled Becoming, which was released on January 24, 2012 through Candlelight Records. It was the band's third full-length album through the label as well as their final album in all. Frontman, Sorceron handled all production aspects of the album.[16] Before its release, the song "Ascension Sickness" leaked early on November 10, 2011 onto YouTube.[17]

On July 2, 2012 Abigail Williams announced that this year's US tour would be the last ever and that they are disbanding.[18] Since this, however, they have stated that they plan on recording another studio album along with further tour dates.

On August 25, 2015 Abigail Williams announced their forthcoming album titled The Accuser via their Facebook page. The Accuser features eight tracks and was released on Oct 30, 2015.[19]

On March 19, 2018, Sorceron announced his departure from the technical death metal band The Faceless on his Facebook page, and would be putting his focus on finishing the next Abigail Williams album. The same day, The Faceless drummer Bryce Butler also announced his departure, and his new role as live drummer for Abigail Williams.[20]

On November 14, 2019, Abigail Williams released their fifth studio album titled Walk Beyond the Dark featuring seven songs.

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Videography
  • "Into the Ashes" (2008)
  • "Nuummite" (2015)

References
  1. "Abigail Williams' Ken Sorceron Reveals the Origins of His Black Metal Nom de Plume". noisecreep.com.
  2. "Driven to Ecstacy". Phoenix New Times.
  3. "Kyds vs Columbus". asice.net. Archived from the original on 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  4. "abigail Williams". 25 April 2006. Archived from the original on 25 April 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  5. Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Zonda Books Limited. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-9582684-0-0. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  6. Bowar, Chad (19 November 2008). "Abigail Williams Interview: A Conversation with Thomas G. Plaguehammer and Ken Sorceron". About.com: Heavy Metal. About.com. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  7. Henderson, Alex "Legend Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  8. Mikkelson, Jill (2008) "Choice Cuts: Abigail Williams", Terrorizer, Issue 177, December 2008, p. 177
  9. Bowar, Chad 92008 "Abigail Williams – In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns" (review), About.com
  10. "Abigail Williams Interview". Candlelight Records.
  11. Laura Wiebe Taylor (2008) "Metal & Hardcore Reviews: Abigail Williams In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns", Exclaim!, December 2008
  12. Ramirez, Carlos (2008) "Abigail Williams Interview: Bassist Thomas G. Plaguehammer talks about the band's music. Archived 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine", IGN Music
  13. Harris, Chris (2008) "Abigail Williams Talk Demi Lovato, Jay-Z And Fans Eating Roadkill; Plus Mastodon, Deftones, & More News That Rules, In Metal File", VH1
  14. "In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns (Limited Edition)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  15. D-FLOx. "'Upcoming Abigail Williams album reviewed'". The Gauntlet. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  16. "ABIGAIL WILLIAMS Complete New Album". The Gauntlet. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  17. "Abigail Williams – Ascension Sickness". Metal CallOut. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
  18. "Abigail Williams Breaking Up: Final US Tour Announced". Ryan's Rock Show. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  19. "Abigail Williams Detail New Album "The Accuser"".
  20. "Update: The Entire Band Just Quit The Faceless - MetalSucks". www.metalsucks.net. 19 March 2018.
  21. PASBANI, ROBERT. "Jered Threatin's Actual Identity Uncovered". Metal Injection. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
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