AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN – Everything
- by Peter Loftus
- Posted on 17-12-2011
In ‘Everything’, Dutch 3-piece An Autumn for Crippled Children create a sound that is a fusion between post-rock and depressive Black Metal. The distorted rhythm guitars and screamed vocals are fairly typical BM fare, but clean leads and a relatively unfuzzy bass provide a warmer, more melodic edge and help create the aforementioned post – rock feel. Frugal use of keyboard, samples and even clean piano enhance this feel still further.
Overall, what really makes AAFCC stand out is their approach to song-writing. Each track moves dynamically through stages towards a calculated cathartic release. Gentle keyboards and soaring guitar smooth the way and the drums build steadily, driving the message home. Minor keys and lingering chords help construct an atmosphere that is mildly depressing yet also vaguely hopeful. Track seven, ‘I am the Veil’ is my standout, as it is here that the disparate elements are married most effectively.
Unfortunately this approach is also the band’s weak spot, as there are quite a few passages where songs seem to progress too slowly. Those of us who have grown used to a knowledge that the next set of blast-beats is just at the end of the next bar might find the circumspection not overdone, but a little taxing and wish things moved along a bit more quickly.
On the whole though, this is a good effort and fans of this type of music will find much to enjoy.