Abigail Williams – Becoming
Becoming. Becoming what? Well, that is for the listener to decide. Becoming is a journey, one that leaves the listener to decide their fate. A journey from life to death to…something else.
Sonically, it is far too easy to compare Abigail Williams latest album to other post-black metal groups like Wolves In the Throne Room or even to the vastly different In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns or In the Absence of Light. But although I love the black metal feel of ItSoaTS and the more relaxed tone of ItAoL, Becoming is more than the sum of its predecessors. It accomplishes what is so sought after but almost never grasped. It made me feel something.
The album begins with ominous chords being strummed. Enraptured, I was suddenly engulfed by intense drumming that quickly faded back into these dark ominous chords before being revived to compliment the subdued screams of Ken Sorceron. Vocals are not the focus of this album, in fact, they are almost muted and buried below in the mix. This allows them to function as merely another instrument in this sonic tapestry. I immediately felt like this album would chronicle someone’s journey from life to death. Ascension Sickness, the opening track is the most aggressive and fast paced song, almost as if someone is fighting to hold onto their threads of life. Suddenly, blast beating drums give way to slow, mournful strings and you begin to hear Nile-esque chanting. Almost as if those who remain alive have invoked ancient gods to keep this someone alive. Then, everything is silent. And we hear one low growl. It seems to scream, “No!” The rest of the song has a mournful tinge to it, almost of a dirge.
The next song seems to be a descent. This Someone is terrified, lost and confused. The music follows them as they fall into whatever underworld they experience. Suddenly, at a crescendo, the music ends as if this fall through the underworld has ended cataclysmically. It feels as if our hero, Someone, regains consciousness. The song is fast. As if Someone is running. But the mood is…triumphant. Almost as if this destination is a desirable one. Haunting guitar melodies flow over the listener as muted vocals growl and scream. Throughout the album the listener is treated to emotive stringed symphonies that flow and ebb with the beating drums.
This album isn’t so much a selection of disparate song as it is a medley of emotions and beauty. Each track is meaningless without the other as the album takes you on an emotional journey. What your journey while listening to the album is comprised of is up to you. But, if one had to select a stand out track, the final eighteen minute epic is the most notable. Haunting violins seem to carry the listener and Someone to a final conclusion. One almost feels as if they are traveling through the afterlife, or maybe up towards life again. At the end you hear speaking but it is indistinct, muted and mumbling, allowing the listener to make up their own mind on where this journey ends.
Abigail Williams could be accused of genre hopping or bandwagoning but the truth is they’ve matured and presented three albums of three different genres that are entertaining and enjoyable. If you enjoy bands like Wolves In The Throne Room or want to be taken on an emotive journey then you must listen to Becoming. Post-rock fans, post-metal fans and even some of those church burners should take Becoming for a spin.
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53 Comments
January 24th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
like great review!!!! going to give this a try
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 24th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Thank you, let me know how you like it!
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Rafael Fernandez replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 8:24 am
will do luke!!!!
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Rafael Fernandez replied:
February 9th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Bough it via Itunes and got to say Luke I liked it!!! but to be honest need to me in the mood for this type of record if that makes sense
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
February 9th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Definitely. It isn’t really a casual listen. Glad you liked it, friend!
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January 24th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
This was incredibly written. Great job.
I definitely want to give this a listen, the way you described it makes it sound way too intriguing to pass up.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Thank you, miss.
The review definitely suffered from the lack of my loyal editor though.
[Reply to this comment]
Katy Ketchum replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:07 am
Aww, it read just fine to me.
Just be sure to send all your future ones my way then, to make up for that. 
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:31 am
That’s because Jen edited it for me after we posted it with mistakes lol.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 11:19 am
I still haven’t even had time to read it, actually.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 27th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I forgive you, you’ll probably hate it anyways haha.
[Reply to this comment]
January 24th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I’m interested in this now hahaha great review. Just wondering, how are the lyrics? I usually don’t like the themes of the black metal lyrics I’ve heard, but I love post-metal, so your comment on that makes me really wanna check this out. Lyrics can be a deal breaker for me. By no means am I one of those people who only listen to Christian music, I’m just cautious with a lot of death metal/black metal because of the lyrical (I think that’s a word hahaha) themes.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 24th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
To be honest, I couldn’t tell you haha. The lyrics were indecipherable. You’ll have to venture out on your own with this one. Thanks for reading, Jake!
[Reply to this comment]
January 24th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
I almost feel like there is no way this album could possibly live up to your review, hehe. Or maybe it will… we shall see.
Nice review, Luke!
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:00 am
I sure hope it does! Thanks for reading.
[Reply to this comment]
January 24th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Good review. I have never listened to anything by these guys, but if this album is comparable to WITTR, I might have to give it a try!
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:33 am
I’m pretty new to WITTR but that was my immediate first though. Hope I don’t lead you wrong with that comparison haha. I’d seriously suggest it. I love it.
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 12:04 am
Your words evoke great imagery on the second to last paragrpah Luke. I’m quite surprised(and stoked) they guys incorporated elements of post rock/metal into their sound. Can’t wait to pick this album up
[Reply to this comment]
Nicholas Misiak replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:05 am
*these
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:31 am
Pick it up asap! It’s great.
[Reply to this comment]
Nicholas Misiak replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:57 am
I will!
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January 25th, 2012 at 12:50 am
heard some good things about this. listened to it and ehhhh, it’s aight…
pretty elegantly written review, man.
[Reply to this comment]
Nicholas Misiak replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 12:52 am
Isaac I miss your reviews!!!
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 1:03 am
You clearly weren’t drunk enough.
[Reply to this comment]
Isaac Wastman replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 1:43 am
no, but judging by how the review was written i’m guessin you were?
[Reply to this comment]
Nicholas Misiak replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 2:19 am
O.o
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 3:16 am
Psh. Nah, just tired. Had this awesome spacey trip going on.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 11:19 am
elegantly written review = drunk ?
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 27th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
That’s how Isaac rolls, yo.
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 3:02 am
Post-Black Metal?
Ohhhh yes, count me in!
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 3:17 am
Check it out dude, it won’t disappoint.
[Reply to this comment]
Ryan - AO replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 9:32 am
Yes it will
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 11:20 am
gtfo, Ryan. lol (j/k)
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 3:29 am
I’m a big fan of these guys, I’ll be sure to check this out.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 25th, 2012 at 4:10 am
Let me know what you think, dude.
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 4:45 am
Oh snaps this album came out yesturday! Best Buy better have it today!!!
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 7:03 am
Fantastic review. I was listening to it as I read it, and I totally agree, you portray great imagery with your words. Im glad someone actually feels the same way as me about it. Love this album, and this review.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 31st, 2012 at 10:28 am
Thank you.
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Ok album, though I got the feeling that they were aping the popular cascadian black metal bands a bit too much and not bringing anything fresh to the table. I’ll give it another listen to see if it grows on me.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
I hope it does.
[Reply to this comment]
January 25th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Thanks for the great review. I like the band’s previous work, and I love the atmosphere of this release. Will definitely check it out.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Hope you enjoy it, dude.
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January 27th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Excellent, excellent review Luke. This is one of the best reviews I’ve ever read here at TNR . If the album is as good as the review I will have to purchase it!!
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
January 27th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Thanks! I appreciate it a lot.
I hope you enjoy the album as much as I do.
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January 27th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
And the album cover is awesome.
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February 1st, 2012 at 8:36 am
Definitely gonna check this out.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
February 1st, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Hope you enjoy it!
[Reply to this comment]
February 1st, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Listening to this album now. So far, it reminds me of a more melodic Xasthur. I really like it!
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
February 1st, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I’ve never listened to them, worth my time?
[Reply to this comment]
February 5th, 2012 at 5:49 am
This album is getting so many mixed reviews, it’s getting insane. Couldn’t quite grasp the whole of it the first time I heard it, might put it on tonight… However, Amos’s writing style is involving and evokes great pleasure in me when I read his stuff. Same goes for Hobbes, by the way, but he knows that.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
February 5th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for the kind words, sir.
Let me know what you think of the album, I’d love to know.
[Reply to this comment]
Job van Dongen replied:
February 12th, 2012 at 11:54 am
Still think the album is generally generic. Really can’t grasp why they fled from the popular fling they had going with the metalcore stuff.
[Reply to this comment]
February 7th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
this album is ok but i love their first one.
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