Abigail Williams is a metal band hailing from Phoenix, Cleveland, NYC, New Jersey, and southern california. The band melds together influences from melodic death metal and black metal with a heavy use of symphonic elements and keyboards.
Abigail Williams broke into the scene in summer of 2005 playing a sort of melodic death metal with keyboards but it wasn’t until fall of 2006 when the band refined it’s sound, losing the original singer while original guitar player Sorceron moved to vocals to opt for a more aggressive approach, with the track “Watchtower” shaping the sound of the band into what Kerrang! Magazine has called “The bloody birth of ‘Black Metalcore’” (though the band will not agree with the label). The band then went on to release their e.p. Titled “Legend” which included re-recorded songs with new lyrics and new songs.
The band broke up in early 2007, and rejoined in later 2007. While the band was in hiatus, vocalist/guitarist Ken Sorceron wrote the lyrics and music for most of the tracks on their upcoming album. Their newer material developed into a primarily symphonic black metal sound.
In late 2008 Abigail Williams released a debut full length titled “In The Shadow Of A Thousand Suns” for Candlelight records. Drums were handled by Trym Torson (Emperor, Zyklon) and production took place in Norway, Florida, New Jersey, and NYC. The album was produced by Sorceron and James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary, Disincarnate) who also performed a guest solo on the track “The World Beyond”.
Since inception Abigail Williams has played shows and toured with bands like Dark Funeral, Enslaved, Vader, Malevolent Creation, Testament, and Emperor.
The band is currently on tour with Rose Funeral, Burning the Masses, Conducting from the Grave, and the Breathing Process.
The current lineup is:
Sorceron (Nihil, November 17, Sorceron) - Vocals, Guitar
Ashley Ellyllon (Cradle Of Filth, Orbs) - Piano, Orchestration
Plaguehammer - Bass
Mike Wilson - Guitar
Bjorn Dannov (Vehemence) - Guitar
Samus (Mutiny Within, Suspyre) - Drums
The band took its name from Abigail Williams, one of the original and foremost accusers in the Salem witch trials of 1692.
Abigail Williams