“I see you…but never clearly.”
A vehicle of catharsis and expression, An Autumn For Crippled Children utilizes the hallmarks of atmospheric black metal to paint an image of emotion. Formed in 2008, the Dutch band (comprised of vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter MCHL, bassist TD, and drummer CHR) has maintained a steady stream of releases over the years. Expanding on themes of loss, love, and self-actualization, Closure is the trio’s latest offering.
Spanning between many styles within the atmospheric black metal genre, An Autumn For Crippled Children’s sound has been described as post-black metal or blackgaze, and this is certainly true of their previous work. These elements remain present but not as prevalent on Closure, with the mix of the album taking more cues from its base genre. This is to say, a noticeably subdued low end, with the soundscapes being produced by layers of synths and tremolo guitars. MCHL’s screams are intentionally drowned out in the mix, serving as another instrument rather than something to fixate on. The production choices may require some adjusting to, but ultimately sound more natural once eased in.
Bands of this style often prioritize creating a consistent, cohesive atmosphere over variation. As such, lengthy, airy passages with loose structure are commonplace on the record, displaying the band’s unique expression of catharsis. Melancholy is the prevailing emotion put forward by the entire album, with a personal highlight of this being “Unable to feel you”, where powerful tremolos and well-placed clean breaks drive potential feelings of despair effectively.
This is not to say that the record is one-note however. Tracks such as “As the void” feature cinematic synth breaks, building suspense in an intriguing manner. “For tomorrow” features impressively clear lead work, adding depth to a seemingly uniform sound.
As mentioned, the vocals in An Autumn For Crippled Children play a more instrumental role, acting as another layer to the ambience. MCHL’s shrieks leave their vocals undecipherable lyrically, yet they feel like a release of inner turmoil from the performance alone, with the themes of each song made apparent by their titles rather than the words. While some may argue that relatability suffers with this approach, this is not at all uncommon in the style, and the band do an admirable job.
To one unfamiliar with the hallmarks of this style, Closure may appear confusing or wholly unappealing. Its unusual method of expression is undoubtedly niche, and the record chooses to stay in that lane. To fans of the genre however, An Autumn For Crippled Children have crafted an album that can be deeply felt. Closure takes its soundscapes masterfully and presents a raw, cathartic take on its themes effectively.
8/10
Closure releases this Friday, August 4th, via Prosthetic Records, and you can pre-order the album here.