Abigail Williams - "Becoming" album

With their third album, veteran American metal act Abigail Williams bring symphonic elements to their otherwise primal black metal attack. "Ascension Sickness" is a masterful work of transcendent darkness. These guys deserve some credit, as their sometimes mournful, often scathing metallic lashings are tempered by some well-developed melodies and strings amongst the blastbeats and demonic howls. The epic 17-minute "Beyond The Veil" closes it all up with swells of lovely strings and an almost post-rock sense of space and dynamism. World class. (Candlelight Records)

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Abigail Williams - "In The Absence Of Light" album

"In The Absence Of Light" is Abigail Williams' second album, and though members continue to come and go, the band's well-crafted symphonic black metal brings elements of classic metal to the (sacrificial) table. "Final Destiny Of The Gods" is a barn (or is it church?)-burner, and an amped-up standout, with a blurred attack of blast-beats and almost prog-rock melodics. "In Death Comes The Great Silence" is a doomy but melodic blur of black metal sorrow, as well. Solid album. (Candlelight Records)

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The Atlas Moth - "The One Amongst The Weed Fields" digital EP

Featuring 4 classic rock songs re-imagined by Chicago doom-weirdie-metal act Atlas Moth, this digital-only EP is a stopgap, proving that these guys have both a freaky sense of humor and the chops to drop thick, sludgy riffs among their low-and-slow doom metal.
The immortal "California Dreamin'" opens, and though the song is recognizable, it seems little more than a joke. Ironic interpretation. I get it.
The EP's finest moment, Pink Floyd's "Fearless", follows. This one eschews the silliness and goes for a seriously gargantuan riff and pummel. Absolutely killer.
Failure's "Golden" is another strong track of spacious drone-metal that works well.
Finally, the Doors' Five To One" is a lysergically-driven slice of psyche-metal that's all-but-unrecogizable, and really pretty unnecessary. This one's hit-and-miss, so proceed with caution! (Candlelight/Tanglade)

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Cruachan - "Blood On The Black Robe" album

Straight outta Dublin. Yes, this veteran Irish pagan metal act takes cues from their native country's folk music alongside more modern metal sounds. "I Am Warrior" sounds like Carcass' Jeff Walker fronting a Celtic folk act, but "The Column" is a superb and intense Irish-infused slice of near-black metal. "Thy Kingdom Gone" further shows that these guys have the chops -- a feverish assault of thrashy speed metal that easily holds its own. "The Voyage Of Bran" is a true example of Celtic metal, forging medieval melodies with driving guitars and drums. But, I'm not convinced on every track, though. When they're "on", Cruachan destroy. But some of the ornate medieval melodies sound downright silly when juxtaposed with the band's often-crushing riffs. Can't commit here, sorry. (Candlelight Records)

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