An Autumn for Crippled Children – Closure
Release Date: 4th August 2023
Label: Prosthetic Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal, Blackgaze, Post-Metal.
FFO: Alcest, Deafheaven, Violet Cold, Wolves in the Throne Room.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Atmospheric Black metal must be one of the most loathed subgenres in metal. To some degree, I don’t blame the community for that. There are thousands of one-member bands out there that indulge in repetitive and uninspired songwriting. However, An Autumn for Crippled Children has always managed to have its own sound and an incredibly inappropriate band name (I still can’t get used to saying it out loud!). They take more from the Blackgaze sound than many of their peers. This doesn’t mean the band has a perfect track record. After all, it has been productive; some might say it was too productive. They’ve had great albums like Only the Ocean Knows or Try Not To Destroy Everything You Love, but also less impressive releases like Eternal or As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes. So where does Closure fit in such an abundant catalogue?
The first thing that hits me is how consistent Closure is when compared to previous albums. It has all the signature trademarks of the Autumn for Crippled Children sound– a mix of sadness and anger, but with some irrational hope in the background. Perhaps the only strong difference I perceive is that this album has way more angry Punk moments than Blackgaze breaks. Some fans might find that annoying, but I think it’s a breath of fresh air given how the album sounds so similar to what’s been done before.
The synth work is always something I like to highlight in An Autumn for Crippled Children, especially in songs like Where Pain Begins and This Feels Like Dying. It always gives the impression that autumn is brutal and harsh, but maybe these poor children can make it through and see the spring. Regarding the extra aggression, this is palpable in the straightforward song structures and the lack of so many atmospheric passages, not to mention the guitar tone is thicker and meaner than in previous albums (good examples are I See You… But Never Clearly and As the Void). I also have the impression that the production is cleaner and louder than before, so these heavier parts sound more convincing.
So, what are the drawbacks? Well, aside from these small sound changes, Closure isn’t exploring any new territory. In fact, by the time the album reaches tracks like Unable To Feel You or Culpable, we’re back to the band’s traditional and nostalgic Blackgaze sound.
I also enjoyed the drum work in this album, but unfortunately, the drums feel buried in the mix, which again is a decision that highlights the Blackgaze over the Black metal. So, if you’re into the classic An Autumn for Crippled Children, you’ll have no problem. However, I feel this “pretty” Black metal territory has been covered better before by projects such as Violet Cold (go check it out, it’s eye-teary!). An Autumn For Crippled Children shows it can keep on dropping albums every two years or so, but at the cost of making them sound all too similar to each other. Either way, if you feel summer is all too happy, you can welcome darkness early with Closure; it’s still a good soundtrack for your melancholy.
(3 / 5)
