Arcana Noctis webzine
6/10

   The fact that Abigail is a cult band is undeniable, starting their activity back in 1992 when they’ve released their first demo tape, called simply "Demo 1", and from then until now, the hell has been unleashed, their discography counting more than 30 releases, on tape, vinyl and CD! Notable being their album from 1997 "Intercourse and Lust", a hellish release of pure and black thrash blasphemy played as in the 80’s with influences from Bulldozer, Bathory, Sodom, Kreator etc., many have been the releases since then lots of split releases, live bootlegs, rehearsal tapes and albums the latest being "Ultimate Unholy Death" from 2005, with a more punkish orientation and a feeling of rock’n’roll all over it (Motorhead like)!
   "Diabolical Nights of Infernal Destruction" comprises on side A "Unholy Sabbat in Tokyo (23.12.1997 a. b.)" and side B "Diabolical rehearsal session February 1998". The sound on this tape is raw as hell, and the music is so pure that will make any maniac worship their cult! Side A contains: "Intro / Violence, Kill and Destruction", "Ilona the Very Best", "The Bonehunter", "Shooting Master", "Hail Yakuza / Confound Eternal". Side B contains: "Intro / Confound Eternal", "The Ultimate Fight", "Ilona the Very Best", "Hellfire and Damnation", "Violence, Kill and Destruction", the set is almost identical on the both sides of the tape, the difference being that one is live material and the other is rehearsal, the sound on the rehearsal side is even rawer than on the live side. A release for pure cult worshipers and underground maniacs, and definitely not for trendy ears! If you don’t know already this band I advice you better to start from their 1997 album, and then come to this release, and if you have enough time and dedication try to collect all their material, it will be a hell of a job!

Catalin Carlaont

Flo

   Abigail belongs to the UG BM scene since years and gained a sure recognition along with other worshipped bands from the East as Sigh, Sabbat, even Infernal Necromancy, Impiety and Barbatos. The band gathered in '92, and already count a prolific discography, filled with demos, ep, splits with Funeral Winds, Barbatos, Sabbat, full length, live recording even bootlegs.
   The trio is composed of Yasuyuki (bass, vocals), Youhei (drums, also playing in Cut Throat), and Yasunori (guitars). Abigail is fronted by Yasuyuki, who is also involved in several side projects, as Barbatos, Cut Throat, and session bassist during the Sigh shows.
   Abigail played numerous times live, to name the most recent they played in France in 2000 with Horna, Watain, and Murder Rape..., later the same year with Impiety and Decayed, in Nov. 2001 with Witchburner, in USA in 2002-2003, and they also plan a tour in 2004 with Mystifier and Morrigan.
   The first side of this tape contains the re-mastered recording of their gig in Tokyo in '98, and the overall sound is powerful, clear even excellent. You get some raw and brutal tracks of old school Thrash/Black, played with precise riffs, prominent drums and screamed vocals. Fast and ultra fast tracks alternate with the same energy, some rhythmic tunes that incite to head banging and are thickened by heavier breaks, tight guitar work and catchy variations. Deeper atmospheres even dwell the slower "Hail Yakuza – Confound Eternal", enhanced by an emphasis on the muffled drums and contained catchy riffs, then dissonant guitar notes on the faster parts.
   The second side is their rehearsal 1998, you get the same hellthrashing Black Metal tracks played with a darker and more primitive sound, that fits their brutal style and enhance the tracks with more marked old school metal tones and rawer atmospheres. You get this infernal tape in a pro layout, a Black White glossy cover displaying complete biography and photos of the band, recommended.

Flo

CHAOSEMPIRE