Autumnblaze – On tattered wings
Origin: Germany
Release: 23.02.2024
Label: Argonauta Records
Duration: 43:35
Genre: Alternative Rock / Gothic Rock / Dark Metal
Photo Credit: Autumnblaze
Autumnblaze This year marks an incredible 25 years of musical activity. But the two are actually friends with the pseudonyms Eldron and Arisjel even longer together on the journey. They were already together with the temporarily parallel band Paragon of Beauty Launched in the mid-1990s.
Both projects are great with their variety of sounds, the setting of emotions and the honesty they contain. Unfortunately, both bands have been denied access to a broad audience to this day.
I’ve often thought about why that is. Maybe it’s the honest, direct and often different reflections from the lives of the two Autumnblaze Musicians who don’t allow every listener to keep the common thread across all albums and phases.
Let’s air the cloth
As mentioned, it’s always a surprise Autumnblaze have it ready for us. Nobody expects the old days of dark gothic rock to return. Nevertheless, I had no idea where I was going after the rocky one Every Sun Is Fragile and the fragile one Welkin Shores Burning would go.
All premonitions were justified, because… On tattered wings Everything is different again and is only partially linked to the band’s other albums. The reasons for this are the current events of war, destruction and human suffering, which are reflected in the work. If other bands glorify war and glorify death, take a stand Autumnblaze on the side of those fighting, dying and those who survive in the muck of destruction. Despite the fact that the band has always used German lyrics in its history, it is surprising On tattered wings with completely German lyrics.
For whom the bell tolls
The start occurs with a strike of the hour. The opener The unfortunate ones is dedicated to those who are victims of warmongering and manipulation. Accordingly, the beginning of the album with fast drums and loud guitars is a wake-up call, an alarm delivered with clear and harsh vocals. The emotions are held by the hard subject matter. Nevertheless, the following piece falls Infamy almost danceable. The song you HERE You can listen to it, unfolds its full tension from the contradiction between danceable gothic rock and the drama of the content.
The same thing happens to us Open grave. If one could assume from a distance that the song is filled with shimmering black gothic clichés, the lyrics prove otherwise. It is a musical counterpoint to the media portrayal of giving up life for God, people and fatherland. Yes, the song is depressing in terms of content and music with its thoroughly melancholic melody. But it is honest because it describes the meaning of dying for the individual, completely free from heroic glorification.
Oh, you beautiful hellmouth
Autumnblaze stick to the title song On tattered wings true to the theme. With a wide musical range, the title song conveys harshness, guitars, melancholy and above all lies Eldron’s voice, which spreads its dark messages like a blanket with gentle emotion.
After the melancholic How am I supposed to give you a tomorrow?the hard metal follows father mother Child. This song also offers, on the one hand, dramatic guitars and vocals with growls and, on the other hand, breaks with quiet passages. The lyrics are heavy stuff and the song builds into a rousing storm.
Without a happy ending
The album’s subject matter leaves little room for optimism. The following songs are acoustic, sensitive The last greeting and the intensely dramatic morass describe the horror and inhumanity of war. Did I mention that the album was recorded at Klangschmiede Studio E by Markus Stock alias Schwadorf? I find that in some acoustic passages there is a hint of Empyrium can feel in the sounds.
The album ends powerfully Shredded. Initially played quickly and with harsh vocals, it quickly catches the ear. Ultimately the song turns into a dreamy, sad melody and fades away. But the listener is left with a squeezing heart.
Conclusion
With On Tattered Wings, Autumblaze are far away from entertainment, but move on a high artistic level with a deeply humanistic concern. The album is emotional, dark and characterized by humanity. It’s not easy material to listen to casually. But making things easy for ourselves and ourselves has never been the band’s driving force. 9/10
Line Up
Eldron – vocals, guitar, bass
Arisjel – drums, percussion
Tracklist
01. The unfortunate ones
02. Infamy
03. Open grave
04. On tattered wings
05. How should I give you a tomorrow
06. Father mother child
07. The last greeting
08. Morass
09. Shredded
Links
Autumnblaze website
Facebook Autumnblaze
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
Album Review – Skindred – Smile
EP Review – Envy Of None – That Was Then, This Is Now
Editor’s recommendation – Chasing Nord – alternative rock from Croatia
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