Abigail Williams is an American black metal band, originally from Phoenix, … Read Full Bio ↴Abigail Williams is an American black metal band, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but now based in Olympia, Washington. Since their formation in 2004, the group has suffered near-constant changes to their line-up. The band even disbanded in 2007 for a short time before reforming and writing their debut full-length album. Shortly after an eight-week tour in support of their debut full-length album In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns (2008), vocalist Ken Sorceron would become the only original member remaining.

The group initially performed a symphonic black metal style, but with the release of the band's second full-length album In the Absence of Light (2010), Abigail Williams would switch to a purist black metal sound that was also carried out into their third full-length album titled Becoming (2012).

Smoke and Mirrors
Abigail Williams Lyrics

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In a dark corner of the room she sits in silence
behind the mask of beauty lies the truth
taken away

The land has suffered under your heedless reign
there is no end

The land has suffered under your heedless reign

where is the end?

Your love is like a sea without a shore

You wear the crown of shadows well my friend but the
truth of the matter is,
your stranger then a stranger in a strange land

Your love is like a sea without a shore
your love is like a curse holding me under its terrible spell
I should not be there

You wear the crown of shadows well my friend but the
truth of the matter is,
your stranger then a stranger in a strange land
I tried to reason

I tried to comprehend
this is treason

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Smoke and Mirrors" by Abigail Williams are a commentary on power dynamics and the illusory nature of romantic relationships. The first stanza introduces us to a woman who sits in silence in a dark corner of a room with a façade of beauty that hides her truth. She has been "taken away," which could refer to her being physically taken or emotionally removed by a lover who doesn't see her as an equal. The second stanza presents a critique of someone in power ("you wear the crown of shadows well my friend") whose reign has caused suffering and is seemingly endless. The chorus describes a love that is overwhelming but ultimately unfulfilling ("Your love is like a sea without a shore").

Line by Line Meaning

In a dark corner of the room she sits in silence
She is sitting alone in a dimly lit room without any noise

behind the mask of beauty lies the truth
She might appear beautiful from outside, but conceals the truth behind her looks

taken away
Her rights or something of value might have been snatched away

The land has suffered under your heedless reign
The kingdom has faced destruction under the leadership of a careless leader

there is no end
The suffering seems to have no limit or stopping point

where is the end?
The question regarding the end of the suffering is being raised

Your love is like a sea without a shore
The person's love is boundless and never-ending

you wear the crown of shadows well my friend but the truth of the matter is, your stranger then a stranger in a strange land
The person, who is well-known for their dark side, is a mystery even to their friends

your love is like a curse holding me under its terrible spell, I should not be there
The love seems harmful and is trapping the person despite the fact that they do not want to be involved

I tried to reason
The person attempted to make sense of the situation

I tried to comprehend
The person attempted to understand the reason behind the actions

this is treason
The actions are a betrayal towards the person

Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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