Abigail Williams (band)
Abigail Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Genres | Black metal, symphonic black metal |
| Years active | 2004–2007 2007-present |
| Labels | Candlelight |
| Members | Ken Sorceron Ian Jekelis Zach Gibson |
Abigail Williams is an American metal band, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but now based in Los Angeles. Formed in 2004, the group would suffer constant changes to their line-up. The band even disbanded in 2007 for a short time before reforming and began writing for their debut-full length album. Shortly after an eight-week tour in support of In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns (2008), vocalist Ken Sorceron would become the only original member remaining.
The band has released three full-length albums and one EP. The group initially performed a symphonic black metal style, but with the release of In the Absence of Light (2010), Abigail Williams would switch to a purist black metal sound.
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 the band streamed online. These demo songs were later packaged by a fan into a bootleg named Gallow Hill. Three of the demo tracks would be released on the Legend EP, including "Watchtower". "Melquiades (The Great Work)" was re-titled "The Conqueror Wyrm" and "Swollen Disgust" was released as "Like Carrion Birds".[4]
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".[5][6][7] 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".[7] 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.[7] 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.[5] 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.[5]
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.[5][8] Much of its inspiration came from the melodic metal scene found in the Nordic countries.[9] 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[5]
The influence of European metal, particularly Scandinavian, is again evident.[10] 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".[5][11][12] Most of the songs were written by Sorceron while the band was on hiatus in 2007.[12] 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".[13]
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 different from the rest of the band's discography, noting its pure black metal sound instead of symphonic black metal.[14]
The band began work on a new album in the summer of 2011, titled Becoming, which is slated for a January 24, 2012 release date through Candlelight Records. This will be Abigail Williams' third full-length through the label. Front man, Sorceron handled all production aspects of the album.[15] On November 10, 2011, a song from their new album, Becoming, leaked over YouTube, entitled "Ascension Sickness".[16]
Band members
- Current members
- Zach Gibson – drums (2006, 2007, since 2011)
- Ken Sorceron – vocals (since 2006), rhythm guitar (since 2009)
- Ian Jekelis – lead guitar (since 2009)
- Former members
- Ken Bedene – drums (2009-2011)
- Kristen Randall – keyboards (2007)
- Kyle Dickinson – bass guitar, backing vocals (2006)
- Connor Woods – vocals (2005–2006)
- Ashley Ellyllon – keyboards (2005–2008)
- Sam "Samus" Paulicelli – drums (2008–2009)
- Gryph Wotawa – bass (2011)
Discography
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Videography
- "Into the Ashes" (2008)
References
- ^ "Abigail Williams' Ken Sorceron Reveals the Origins of His Black Metal Nom de Plume". noisecreep.com.
- ^ "Driven to Ecstacy". Phoenix New Times.
- ^ "Kyds vs Columbus". asice.net.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f 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.
- ^ Henderson, Alex "Legend Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- ^ a b c Mikkelson, Jill (2008) "Choice Cuts: Abigail Williams", Terrorizer, Issue 177, December 2008, p. 177
- ^ Bowar, Chad 92008) "Abigail Williams - In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns" (review), About.com
- ^ "Abigail Williams Interview". Candlelight Records.
- ^ Laura Wiebe Taylor (2008) "Metal & Hardcore Reviews: Abigail Williams In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns", Exclaim!, December 2008
- ^ Ramirez, Carlos (2008) "Abigail Williams Interview: Bassist Thomas G. Plaguehammer talks about the band's music.", IGN Music
- ^ 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
- ^ "In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns (Limited Edition)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ D-FLOx. "'Upcoming Abigail Williams album reviewed'". The Gauntlet. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
- ^ "News | Albums". The Gauntlet. Retrieved 11/1/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Text "Bio" ignored (help); Text "Extras" ignored (help); Text "Forums ABIGAIL WILLIAMS Complete New Album" ignored (help); Text "Interviews" ignored (help); Text "Pics" ignored (help); Text "Reviews" ignored (help); Text "Sausage Index" ignored (help); Text "Setlists" ignored (help); Text "Tour" ignored (help); Text "Videos" ignored (help); Text "Wallpaper" ignored (help) - ^ "Abigail Williams - Ascension Sickness". Metal CallOut. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
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