Origin : USA
Genre : Atmospheric Black Metal
Release : 2019
Album Info / Review
Intro:
The stench of decay and the gnawing emptiness of the void have always been the fertile ground for Abigail Williams’ bleak sonic explorations. With “Walk Beyond the Dark,” the band, fronted by the perpetually tormented Ben Falgoust, plunges deeper into the abyss than ever before. This is not an album for casual listening; it’s a visceral, suffocating descent into personal and existential despair, a testament to the enduring power of atmospheric black metal when wielded with unwavering conviction. The production, while retaining a raw edge, allows for a clarity that amplifies the intricate tapestry of despair woven throughout its runtime.
Track Analysis:
“The Maw of Oblivion” opens with a chilling, dissonant guitar riff that slowly builds, punctuated by the mournful cry of a distant synth. The drums enter with a measured, almost funereal pace, before erupting into blast beats that feel less like aggression and more like a desperate thrashing against an unseen enemy. Falgoust’s vocals are a guttural rasp, a visceral exhalation of pure anguish. The track masterfully shifts between moments of crushing heaviness, characterized by thick, downtuned guitar chugs, and ethereal passages where layered, reverb-drenched guitars create a sense of vast, desolate space. The mid-section introduces a surprisingly melodic, yet still somber, guitar lead that pierces the darkness like a dying star.
“Shadows of the Unseen” continues the oppressive atmosphere, but with a more pronounced sense of dread. The tempo is generally slower, allowing the intricate basslines to slither and writhe beneath the surface. The drumming is more focused on cymbal work and tom fills, adding a frantic, almost panicked energy. The interplay between the clean, almost melancholic guitar melodies and the abrasive black metal passages is particularly effective here, creating a disorienting but compelling contrast. There are moments where the music swells into a wall of sound, only to recede back into a sparse, echoing landscape.
“The Serpent’s Coil” is a more straightforwardly aggressive track, though the aggression is laced with a palpable sense of futility. The riffs are sharp and biting, delivered with a relentless intensity. The blast beats are more prominent, driving the track forward with a relentless force. However, even in its most brutal moments, there’s an underlying sense of sorrow, a feeling that this aggression is a last-ditch effort against an inevitable defeat. The vocal performance is particularly savage, raw and untamed, conveying a primal scream of existential agony.
“Echoes in the Maelstrom” introduces a more experimental element. It begins with a sparse, almost ambient soundscape, filled with distorted whispers and unsettling electronic textures. This evolves into a slow, grinding riff that builds tension incrementally. The track is characterized by its dynamic shifts, moving from moments of near silence to overwhelming sonic assaults. The use of atmospheric keyboards becomes more pronounced, adding layers of unsettling melody and dissonant harmony, creating a sense of being lost in a chaotic, unforgiving mental landscape.
“The Veiled Horizon” feels like a brief respite, a moment of contemplation before the final plunge. A cleaner, more melodic guitar line emerges, carrying a melody that is beautiful yet deeply melancholic. This section is short-lived, however, as the familiar black metal onslaught returns, albeit with a sense of weary resignation rather than outright fury. The vocals here are more layered, with clean spoken-word passages interweaving with the harsh screams, adding a narrative layer of despair.
The album culminates with “Beyond the Crimson Dawn.” This track is an epic conclusion, a sprawling journey through the darkest corners of the human psyche. It features a relentless build-up of intensity, with intricate guitar work that shifts between brutal riffing and soaring, yet sorrowful, melodies. The drumming is varied and dynamic, providing a powerful rhythmic foundation. The vocals are at their most unhinged, a torrent of raw emotion. The track doesn’t offer catharsis, but rather a final, crushing embrace of the darkness, leaving the listener adrift in its desolate wake.
Conclusion:
Abigail Williams has crafted a masterpiece of modern atmospheric black metal with “Walk Beyond the Dark.” This is an album that demands your full attention, an immersive experience that pulls you into its bleak, introspective world. It’s not an easy listen, but for those who appreciate the raw, unadulterated expression of despair and the intricate artistry of atmospheric black metal, it is an essential one. The band has refined their sound, delivering a potent and emotionally resonant statement that solidifies their position as purveyors of true sonic desolation.
Rating: 9.5/10
Highlight Track: The Serpent’s Coil
