Abigail Williams

Becoming

Candlelight Records

4.5

When I hear people say something is perfect, I immediately think that they’re talking shit. I am a firm believer in imperfection. You can find fault with everything. Nothing is perfect. While I’m sure there are some flaws in Abigail Williams “Becoming” fuck if I couldn’t find them. “Becoming” is as close to perfect as one can possibly get without your head caving in from being exposed to too much awesome shit. To be honest the only bad thing I can say about this album is that is isn't fucking long enough! 

It’s been a long time since I have heard such a brilliant blend of blackened death, technical brilliance and orchestral magnificence. There is a lot of stuff going on in “Becoming”; there are huge orchestral soundscapes, brooding yet introspective lyrics and plenty of sweet solos. It takes more than a few listens to wrap your head around the whole thing. But once  I did I couldn’t get enough of it, hell I still can’t. From the moment “Ascension Sickness” begins to play you’re lured in by the soft dulcet tones of the intro. Haunting, yet comforting they pave the way for the slow creeping terror that climbs from the abyss on “Elestial”. A track that moves slow like honey before dropping into a barrage of drums and guitar riffs. Then floats away as quickly as it came.

Abigail Williams has built their career on transcending what first comes to mind when you think of black metal. They have grown into an entity that defies classification. Yes, their roots are firmly planted in the black metal tradition, but the sounds that they create make Abigail Williams a completely different animal. “Infinite Fields of Mind” weaves beautiful violin solos with tortured vocals and heavy drums to make something that feels like you’ve stepped into a darker, but much more vibrant world. “Becoming” is an album that you don’t just listen to, it is an experience that you have to give yourself over to. “Becoming” may be the closest thing to audio perfection that man has ever created. And anyone who says otherwise is the enemy of music!