Though the news has been circulating since Friday when the terrible accident took place, its taken me a couple of days to formulate thoughts and accept this one and I must admit that its pretty hard to do. It hits close to my creative heart but it is true – bassist David Z. (Zablidowsky) was killed in a horrific crash early Friday afternoon while the bands RV was roadside repairing a flat while on an Adrenaline Mob tour. The news and need to properly memorialize David finds me quoting the late great Chris Cornell from a Temple Of Dog track where he sang “I never wanted to write these words down for you…..” and as someone who has not only appreciated the talents of Dave Z since beginning his own media adventure I was proud to also consider him a friend.
Continue reading David Z. of Trans-Siberian Orchestra – ZO2 – Adrenaline Mob Has Died (1979-2017) →
Artist: Abigail Williams
Title: “Legend”
Label: Candlelight Records
Release Date: 1/23/2007
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Rating: 4/5
Rising from the sands of Phoenix, Arizona come Abigail Williams, who on their impressive 5-song EP showcase a level of Metal intensity that one expects more from the European providers than from any band that has formed in the States. My reason for saying this is based on the bands use and skillful blending of traditional Norwegian Black Metal, twists of Swedish Gothenburg and the blistering intensity of Hardcore that is often found in the US’s own export – Metalcore. All these styles together might sound weird to you yet the band makes it work and shows just how exciting the results can be when these are mixed together with some sense of purpose. Singer Ken Sorceron growls his way through the EP like a maniacal cross between Dani Filth and Shagrath and perhaps this is what gets them compared to the likes of Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir on opener “From A Buried Heart”. I have to say that the drumming led me to think more of Dark Tranquility and the overall musical presence on the recording while Black and Extreme lends a lot of its appeal in the Gothenburg aspect. Guitars are handled by Brad Riffs and Elias in on the drums and unrelenting. There is effective use of keyboards by a young lady named Ellyllon and her input successfully kicks this up a notch for the group by their holding a very classical and majestic base on the tracks where the instrument comes off as most prevalent (“Like Carrion Birds” and “The Conqueror Wyrm” specifically). I was glad to hear Ken and company sing with some clean vocals as well and hope this is used more going forward as the genre is changing and finding more place for the dual vocals in the mix nowadays. Perhaps their coming full-length album will find the lovely Ellyllon offering some vocal support and give this band an added push in terms of dynamic and possibility.
Continue reading “Legend” by Abigail Williams →
Where Heavy Music & Pop Culture Collide
