This is the sixth album from US black metal band Abigail Williams.
Brought to us by current/ex-members of bands such as Aborted, Changeling, Chrome Waves, Fear Factory, The Faceless, Lord Mantis, Nachtmystium, Vale of Pnath, and Wolvhammer, a lot of experience and skills has gone into A Void Within Existence. In fact, due to the members, I’m amazed I’ve never listened to Abigail Williams prior to this new album. I’ve heard the name many times, but this is my first exposure to their brand of black metal.
Across 46 minutes A Void Within Existence delivers seven tracks of compelling black metal. Abigail Williams’ style is a mix of the atmospheric and modern, with an aggressive focus and an aura of darkness that’s vicious. They deal in contemporary muscle, with a heavier sound than some black metal bands achieve courtesy of a touch of death metal, and hostile darkness, which powers the blackened heart of the music. This is then married to sinister moods and threatening worldbuilding that work well, making for songs that make an impact.
As a rough guide to the Abigail Williams sound, I’d throw out a mix of band names such as Akhlys, Blaze of Perdition, Funeral Mist, Tómarúm, Winterfylleth, and Wolves in the Throne Room.
I like that you can hear classic atmospheric black metal influences right alongside more contemporary ones – not just from different black metal subgenres, (there’s a touch of the symphonic here in places), but from other styles such as blackened death metal/deathcore, progressive metal, and post-rock too. These latter styles are all appropriately corrupted into grim and nasty additions to the core black metal assault, and merged into the Abigail Williams framework seamlessly. It lends the music a personality that’s well-rounded. This all helps to give A Void Within Existence an edge, allowing the band to take elements from old and new to forge their menacing soundscapes.
The music has a greater texture and variety than I was expecting. The range of influences and component parts are effectively arranged by the band, leading to songs that are detailed and engaging. They hold the listener’s interest with ease, slicing through the airwaves with their enticing mix of brutality, atmosphere, emotion, and detailing.
I’m very glad I’ve finally listened to Abigail Williams. A Void Within Existence is an accomplished, enjoyable modern black metal album. Shaded with a diversity of depth and substance that’s enthralling, A Void Within Existence is extremely highly recommended for connoisseurs of the blackened arts.
Wonderbox Metal 