Listening to the second full release from US black metallers Abigail Williams, it's hard  to believe that they came to initial prominence with more than a smattering of metalcore running through their music. Listening  to 'In The Absence Of Light' you'd swear this lot came from Bergen rather than their adopted New York City.

What Abigail Williams take is healthy doses of Scandinavian black metal, with a quite heavy leaning to the style favoured by Dimmu Borgir, before interspersing some quite intricate and melodic passages as well as some thundering, galloping riffing. The overall length of the songs (most are in excess of six minutes) also lends the songs a real epic, symphonic feel. However, the quality of musicianship, Grade A production and the aforementioned variety ensure this album rises way above some of the dross being churned out willy-nilly in the name of black metal.

Standout track 'Final Destiny Of The Gods' typifies all the elements which should see Abigail Williams rise above both their US and Scandinavian counterparts and take BM to a new level.

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