Autumn - Altitude
CD Info
2009
Metal Blade / Europe
11 Tracks
English Lyrics
When Nienke de Jong announced in January 2008 that she was leaving Autumn, fans were sent into a panic. There was good reason to worry. Several other female-fronted metal bands had recently lost their beloved frontwomen – and some of their replacements have raised eyebrows. So what would happen to Autumn? Who would take the place of Nienke, whose sultry and passionate voice helped make the band so unique? Would the new singer do the older songs justice? Most importantly, would this bring a radical change to the band’s music?
Fast-forward to early spring 2009, and thanks to Autumn’s fourth album "Altitude" all of these questions have been answered. Twenty-two-year-old Marjan Welman was named the new vocalist one year ago; and with Autumn’s festival dates that summer, she proved she was a worthy replacement for Nienke. The older songs sounded as good as they did before, and the new material we have now is – to the fans’ happiness – not a drastic change at all.
Like Autumn’s 2007 album "My New Time," "Altitude" is a mix of metal, alternative rock, and pleasant soundscapes. The songs are still bold and catchy, the lyrics poetic and thoughtful, and the overall contrast between grooves and ambiance surprisingly natural. However, the path that Autumn chose for "Altitude" veers slightly to the left. The songs in this collection are diverse in length and complexity, and the grit of some tracks balances with the composure of others. As for Marjan, she injects life into each song with a voice that’s warm and mature for her years.
"Skydancer" is one track that benefits from Autumn’s evolution. It’s their most uplifting song to date, with driving melodies and guitars over a slow tempo. Confidence and euphoria are just two of the emotions conveyed in the lyrics ("There is no symmetry, no time for tomorrow / There’s just me in my skyscraping dream"). This track has quickly become a fan favorite, and it’s easy to hear why.
Other new elements add depth to Autumn’s sound. "Paradise Nox" is a bold opener full of twists and turns. Marjan’s delivery flows from gentle to emotional with great ease on this track. The psychedelic "Liquid Under Film Noir" features robust guitars over an off-beat tempo that will still make concert-goers pump their fists. "A Minor Dance" waltzes as a lyrical ghost story, complete with delicate keyboards and a prolonged ending that takes the listener’s breath away.
The slower songs on "Altitude" showcase the band’s more tranquil side. "Answers Never Questioned" and "Synchro-Minds" start off as acoustic ballads that maintain their subtleties through the end. The latter track has a dreamy feel that could have been inspired by the The Gathering’s recent material. The title track is a dark-horse epic track, reaching a crescendo that’s sobering and rousing all at once.
A few songs are reminiscent of the "My New Time" material. The carefree "Cascade (For a Day)" paints the optimism of "Skydancer" against a fluid beat and lounging guitars. The cosmic blips and bleeps in "The Heart Demands" match its frenetic pace and lyrical urgency. "Sulphur Rodents," the fastest track on the album, has some menacing down-tuned chords, but with Marjan’s lack of vocal charisma this song barks rather than bites.
Fortunately, there is very little turbulence on "Altitude," and Autumn should be proud of this. The band has continued to evolve musically while maintaining their distinct sound. What’s most impressive, though, is that all this was achieved this with a new vocalist who embodies the essence of Autumn yet is inimitable in her own way. That brand of valiant individuality allows "Altitude" to quietly swoop between solid ground and uncharted territory – right to its final dying note that brings the listener back down to earth.
8.5 / 10
