Abigail II: The Revenge

King Diamond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 29, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B00005UQFD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,795 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The long-awaited follow-up to King's greatest storyline, Abigail II is a chilling, convincing work. Features the incomparable guitar duo of Andy LaRocque and Mike Wead, and returning bassist Hal Patino. - 2002

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Spirits crossing over to the other side...", February 4, 2002

By 

Huntsmæñus "Lord of the Wolf Weeds" (New Orleans, La) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abigail II: The Revenge (Audio CD)

After listening to King Diamond's latest epic release, i may have to rethink all my other reviews for past albums in the 90s, as "Abigail II: The Revenge" is the best Diamond album since the original "Abigail". The original storyline almost seems like a footnote compared to its sequel, as King continues with Abigail going back to the old Mansion, only to discover a horrible secret and inadvertently commit revenge. The lyrics are powerful , sad, sick and really scary, don't listen to this in the dark! King's vocals are realised very well here, with creative mixing and editing, it's unlike anything he has done. And the band, the line-up is the best since the "Them/Conspiracy" era. Mike Weed complimenting Andy LaRocque's guitar playing is a wonderful surprise, and makes all other guitarist working with King and LaRocque during the 90s sound like they never fit. And Hal Patino does a good job and is also a highlight for nostagliac fans of the 80s. And Matt Thompson does a more than admirable job on the drums, with some also great keyboard and sound effects thrown in to help with that eerie, scary King Diamond feel.
it's almost a shame that this band, which indeavours to maintain a certain continuity and high standard of metal, will not get it's due rewards, as most people feel that King Diamond is an "acquired taste". King Diamond happens to be one of the most creative, melodic and immaginative bands, brave enough to make albums into complex stories, as to listen to the whole album and not just certain radio played tracks and songs made just for videos. Even death/satanic/devil/thrash metal of the 90s should take a cue from this band, as King has proved beyond a doubt, that this is way you make a superb goth metal album which will only be copied by many so-called wanna-be immitators.

I'll never listen to the "Abigail" the same way I did 15 years ago...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily King's Best in Awhile, February 4, 2002

By 

"ntlacrobat" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abigail II: The Revenge (Audio CD)

Being a King Diamond fan for many years now, I was pleased to pick this one up and absolutely devoured it. With the exception of the excellent "Voodoo" album from a few years ago, I had thought that the King was in a serious drought for ideas. "Abigail II" is excellent. From the songwriting through to the production, the album is great. The band sounds like they haven't for years. LaRoque's playing is great and the addition of Mike Wead gives the band a true twin guitar attack that they haven't had since the days of LaRoque/Denner. Both guitarists have their own style that is easy to distinguish. The music aims to be less complicated, with more focus on riffs and groove, which is a good thing. It leaves more room to listen to the lyrics without having to analyze the music around the story. This also benefits the guitarists, as they introduce many good fills and excellent lead work. We also get a more in depth look at the Abigail story and it is quite weird and spooky in a neat sorta way. Outstanding tracks for me are "A Mansion in Sorrow" and "Miriam". The band really sounds their tightest on those two and King's vocals really shine. Overall it is an ambitious effort that re-kindles the story of King's most famous album and it seems that the band was determined to not disappoint and I believe that they have done so.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He Is Still the King!, July 25, 2005

By 

Bradley Headstone "Sean ARES Hirsch" (New York) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Abigail II: The Revenge (Audio CD)

I'll begin with a brief rundown of where I stand. I share the common opinion that 'Abigail,' 'Them,' and 'Conspiracy' are the best. I think the healthy runnerups were 'Spiders' Lullabye' and 'The Graveyard.'

For those of you who gave this record low ratings, I'm guessing you were expecting the same magic of 'Abigail.' I'll go so far as to say the 1st 'Abigail' was probably one of the closest things Mr. Diamond did to a perfect record. (Where story and music are concerned) We have to remember though that Mr. Diamond DID NOT originally plan to make this record. (Else it would have been made a lot sooner after the first 'Abigail.') Rather, he did it because so many of his fans wanted it. So, being that Mr. Diamond did it mostly in response to us, we do owe the record a chance.

All of that said, onto the subject at hand. Andy La Rocque and Mike Wead may not get the attention that Jim Hendrix, Steve Vai, or Eddie Van Halen get. In my opinion, this is proof that being popular doesn't mean you're better than someone who is more obscure. The return of Hal Patino on bass is most welcome. While one will probably notice a musical difference between this new record and the original 'Abigail,' there is still a notable effort to hold on to the fine qualities of the 80s. (A trait sadly given up by Metallica and others.) King's vocals are top notch as almost always. If his impact of horror was slipping on 'Voodoo,' it more than recovered with this album.

Without ruining the story, I will say 'Spare This Life' is a great opening with King's famous growls; the music and sound effects on 'Storm' are well done; the wording on 'Mansion In Sorrow' is captivating; 'Slippery Stairs' has some nice riffs; 'Broken Glass' could have been written by Edgar Allen Poe; (The keyboards are the perfect touch.) If I say much more, I will probably ruin the story, and I'd rather not do that to you. But it will suffice to say that in the spirit of King Diamond, revenge DOES NOT LEAD to a happy ending. (I think Hollywood still needs to figure this out, but we won't go there.)

I know some people complained about 'recycled riffs,' but let's be fair. No matter how good a writer is, there will come a point in his career where it's either bring back some old ideas or risk having nothing at all. (Look at how the animated Batman series brought back some ideas from the 60s Adam West series.)

All in all, if you are expecting the same magic of the 1st 'Abigail,' then you are probably setting yourself up for a disappointment. IF, on the other hand, you are willing to accept that King Diamond made this record in response to our request for it, that King's vocals are in tip top shape, that Andy La Rocque and Mike Wead may have been in better shape, but are still in great shape, that the great bass work of Hal Patino is back, and that King Diamond NEVER, REPEAT NEVER abandoned his style when Metallica and several others DID, then BY ALL MEANS, pick this record up.

King Diamond may not get the applause that Metallica, Jim Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen, and several others get. BUT, ask yourself: 'Who consistently made record after record that DID NOT drop in quality?' 'Who held onto his style while others looked for quick hits?' 'Who stayed true to himself and never sold out?' If your answer is King Diamond, then get this record.