I like this album.

Abigail is one of the best Heavy Metal albuns i've ever heard!!! King as a funny voice, not anoying, nothing like that! Not very commun but it's a cool voice that some guys don't like! I Like that's what counts!

Was the bonus track, Shrine, supposed to fit in the story, and if so, where?

Written by M C Vice on 03.07.2011 at 11:32

Was the bonus track, Shrine, supposed to fit in the story, and if so, where?

I doubt it does, bonus tracks are what they're called, bonus tracks.

Written by king_matt on 04.12.2011 at 06:25
I doubt it does, bonus tracks are what they're called, bonus tracks.

Well, a bonus track on the "Them" remaster is actually a part of that album's story and concept. Also, "Phantoms In The Mirror" by W.A.S.P. is part of the storyline of "The Crimson Idol", yet it was not on the original album, it was only a single B'side. When the album was remastered, it was included as a bonus track. So that isn't always true.

As for "Abigail", King never bettered this album. It is the apex of his solo career, where everything just clicked perfectly into place. Definitely one of metal's definitive classics.

Written by Angelic Storm on 04.12.2011 at 09:22

Written by king_matt on 04.12.2011 at 06:25
I doubt it does, bonus tracks are what they're called, bonus tracks.

Well, a bonus track on the "Them" remaster is actually a part of that album's story and concept. Also, "Phantoms In The Mirror" by W.A.S.P. is part of the storyline of "The Crimson Idol", yet it was not on the original album, it was only a single B'side. When the album was remastered, it was included as a bonus track. So that isn't always true.

As for "Abigail", King never bettered this album. It is the apex of his solo career, where everything just clicked perfectly into place. Definitely one of metal's definitive classics.

On Them, the bonus track Phone Call seems to be an alternate ending, a substitute for Coming home. Or it could be ment to go before it and be the cause of King returning to Amon, thus setting up Conspiracy.
But I'd still like to know if Shrine has anything to do with the Abigail story.

Written by M C Vice on 04.12.2011 at 12:18
On Them, the bonus track Phone Call seems to be an alternate ending, a substitute for Coming home. Or it could be ment to go before it and be the cause of King returning to Amon, thus setting up Conspiracy.
But I'd still like to know if Shrine has anything to do with the Abigail story.

It's the latter. King Diamond himself has said Phone Call was supposed to be on the original album, as it sets up the continuation of the story on the next album. ("Conspiracy")

As for "Shrine", I've always wondered that myself. Certainly the nature of the lyrics makes it hard to determine one way or the other, as there are no obvious references to other parts of the story in the song...

Written by Angelic Storm on 04.12.2011 at 12:36

Written by M C Vice on 04.12.2011 at 12:18

As for "Shrine", I've always wondered that myself. Certainly the nature of the lyrics makes it hard to determine one way or the other, as there are no obvious references to other parts of the story in the song...

Also it's in the 1st person, whereas the rest of the album is in 3rd person (I think thats what it is, not sure what the term is). Perhaps it's about Abigail when she is born?

Rhythm guitar is pushed too far back and too often gives us only chugs.....a problem which was fixed on the next two albums

For some reason this album took me a while to warm up to, after being purely a Mercyful Fate addict first, but I've since come to realize it's immortal greatness. I love how KD's solo albums sound different from the MF classics, but still hold legendary qualities as well. Abigail is probably my third favorite album King ever did, behind Melissa and Don't Break the Oath.

Written by JÄY on 12.06.2013 at 00:56

Rhythm guitar is pushed too far back and too often gives us only chugs.....a problem which was fixed on the next two albums

That is true, the production on this makes it sound almost faint, which is rare for such a celebrated classic. I never hear anyone complain about this production, but I've always wondered how it would sound with the production of the Them album instead.

I've always thought this album is quite average, boring and very overrated.

Check my list with his best works and tell me if you agreee

A damn pretentious overrated band.
I liked this album during my puberty, after my pubic hair had fully grown I started thinking this album was really annoying (untill now). I prefer Mercyful Fate.

Written by Dr. Strawberry on 10.08.2014 at 12:11

A damn pretentious overrated band.
I liked this album during my puberty, after my pubic hair had fully grown I started thinking this album was really annoying (untill now). I prefer Mercyful Fate.

You must have been much kooler when you were young. Hate to see people decline in that way. RIP
King Diamond doesnt give a fuck, he does what he wants. Innovation mastered.

Wow, wow should I rate it a 10?

Great album. Love his voice.

First listen = 8/10 - Good album, not sure on the vocals though.
Second listen = 10/10 - "ABIGAAAAAAAAAAAIL"

Third listen = 9.2/10 for me - the title track is the standout song. 'A Mansion in Darkness' is also fantastic.

Written by nonZero on 12.09.2018 at 14:24

First listen = 8/10 - Good album, not sure on the vocals though.
Second listen = 10/10 - "ABIGAAAAAAAAAAAIL"

Seriously this is the same reaction of my 2nd listen

~ "ABIGAAAAAAAAAAAIL"

Written by Dr. Strawberry on 10.08.2014 at 12:11

A damn pretentious overrated band.
I liked this album during my puberty, after my pubic hair had fully grown I started thinking this album was really annoying (untill now). I prefer Mercyful Fate.

talk about pretentious....
pot, meet kettle

Great record

King of camp.

Excellent concept album, that has a great storyline, with cleverly written lyrics, and masterful songwriting skills, also some great catchy riffs, amazing guitar solo's and of course, legendary vocals from KD himself.

The only negative thing I can honestly say about this album is the thin guitar tone. Back then many metal guitarists still used old Stratocasters, or maybe it's just the remaster.

777 votes!
This is quite a good album! I found the story at first kind of underwhelming. But at the time it was probably pretty innovative to have such a horror concept album.
The guitar-work though (along with the King's signature singing) really make this album great!

The guitar solos are more melodic here than on Mercyful Fate's albums. However, I think I prefer Mercyful Fate's Melissa more because of its rawness and intensity. Melissa was clearly a major influence on thrash and early black metal, while Abigail sounds like standard heavy metal with riffs very similar to Iron Maiden.

Still, Abigail is very enjoyable, especially after multiple listens where one doesn't have to pay close attention to figure out the story and can just sit back and enjoy the melodies.

The best songs are "A Mansion in Darkness", "Arrival", "Abigail", and "The Black Horseman". I like also the diverse instrumentation on "Omens". While the songs in the middle of the album are pretty much filler to move the plot along, the great riffs and solos in the first and last two songs make this album among the greatest

As close to sheer cheese metal perfection as you're ever going to get. How can anyone hate this? This is pure metal indulgence right here.

How does this album not have a review yet?

How can you ignore a aboslute masterpiece like this? Everything is perfect: from the hidden meanings about the numbers to the melodies. This is King Diamond at his peak!

Great album. Andy shines on a lot of songs, his playing is quite unique. I maybe don't see this as a masterpiece but some songs are like Black Horseman and The Family Ghost.