Abigial Williams | ‘Legend’

The internet has been breeding bands for years now. But the social networking sites that have allowed artists the chance to bypass the initial stages of the industry have only recently yielded bands worth really listening to past the demo stage. Its not certain whether or not Abigail Williams are one of these, but that’s the method by which they’ve gotten here, and a deal with Candlelight for their efforts. Hailing from dusty Arizona, their sound is as American as it gets these days, though the Scandinavian influences are palpable, if a little confused in places.

The usual At The Gates starting point just doesn’t need keyboards tinkling all over it, for example. It never did and never will, because that wasnt the point of it. And if Abigail Williams think it is, then they ought to move on and get a bit more inventive with their riffing. Though the music is accomplished and fairly fierce, even in its melodic ways, the occasional emo-esque clean singing drags it into the gutter of the contemporary a little too often. Can modern thrash metal even be epic? And even if it could, are keyboards the way to achieve this? It’s very doubtful, no matter how proficient it all sounds. Good if you’re into riffs and hooks. Not good if you’re into a lot more substance. It’s all well done, but the yo-yo of styles from melodic death to black and back again makes them seem like Dimmu Borgir with fringes at times, even if ‘Watchtower’ suggests future excellence.

2.9 / 5 – Earl Grey ::: 09/01/07