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Abigail Williams (band)

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Abigail Williams

Abigail Williams is a symphonic black metal band originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but now based in New York City, taking its name from Abigail Williams, one of the original and foremost accusers in the Salem witch trials of 1692.

History

The band was formed in 2005. After touring extensively, including a United Kingdom tour in 2006, its debut release was the Legend EP in 2007, which mixed metalcore with symphonic black metal, and was described by Allmusic as "a perfect example of an American recording with a very Nordic-influenced sound".[1][2][3] 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".[3] 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.[3] Sorceron and Wilson continued playing together in another band, and eventually asked AW 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.[1] 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.[1]

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 elements are absent, now concentrating on symphonic black metal, and has drawn comparisons to Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth.[1][4] The album took more than six months to record, and Trym Torson of Emperor/Enslaved played drums on all tracks on the album except "Floods", "Acolytes", and "Empyrean".[1][5][6] Most of the songs were written by Sorceron while the band was on hiatus in 2007.[6] The band toured Europe and the UK in summer 2008.

Discography

Albums

EPs

  • Tour EP (2006, Candlelight)
  • Legend (2007, Candlelight)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Bowar, Chad (2008) "Abigail Williams Interview: A Conversation with Thomas G. Plaguehammer and Ken Sorceron", About.com
  2. ^ Henderson, Alex "Legend Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  3. ^ a b c Mikkelson, Jill (2008) "Choice Cuts: Abigail Williams", Terrorizer, Issue 177, December 2008, p. 177
  4. ^ Bowar, Chad 92008) "Abigail Williams - In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns" (review), About.com
  5. ^ Ramirez, Carlos (2008) "Abigail Williams Interview: Bassist Thomas G. Plaguehammer talks about the band's music.", IGN Music
  6. ^ a b 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
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