The name Autumn is as common as female fronted metal bands these days. I could probably reel off a list of band names that contain this word if I had the time, and there was certainly some initial confusion as I remember covering a different Autumn last year. In this instance, Altitude is the second album from this Dutch outfit, and with this follow up to the 2007 debut ‘My New Time,’ they have ushered in a new vocalist in Marjan Welman, who some may recognise from her work on Ayreons ‘01011001’ album.
There is absolutely no denying that Welman has a beautiful voice and puts forward some enchanting vocal melodies on such tracks as ‘Liquid Under Film Noir’ which is one of the stronger tracks on the album. There is something of a Battlelore feel to this number, in the way that it lays some lachrymose keyboard lines over a subtle battle swagger creating a warming blend, which mix well with her sultry tones. ‘A Minor Dance’ has a pleasant, mellow kind of vibe with some jazzy percussion and soothing vocal lines that are quite ensnaring.
Sadly, good vocals alone just aren’t enough to make an album, and as much as I could happily listen to Welmans sultry tones all day, I would rather hear them put to better use as these ten tracks really don’t do her justice. I really did try my best to “get” this, but alas it just didn’t really sink in. There are a few highlights dotted about on here, but these get lost in the grand ocean of wishy-washy melodies and tedious riffs that just make this such a laborious listen. ‘Synchro Minds’ is exactly the kind of dreary ballad that could lull me into a state of slumber, but at the worst possible time when I really don’t want to be going to sleep. Just listening to it makes my eyes feel heavy and before I know it, I’m waking myself up snoring.
One of the more memorable moments on the album is ‘Cascade (For a Day)’ which has a relatively upbeat feel that is succeeded by a rather intriguing intro to ‘Horizon Line,’ although once the atmospheric keyboards evaporate it leaves little more than a bland and forgettable tune that certainly dries up all of my interest. The music here is all competently played, but that isn’t enough when there is so many better bands around. I really hate to be negative, but had I got a physical copy of this promo then it would surely end up protecting my desk from a cup of coffee. Which right now I really need. Yawn.
http://www.autumn-band.com/
