FOREVER AUTUMN

3.5 stars. Since their last release "A Crimson Cosmos" they've added a keyboardist to the band while we get some guest guitar, accordian, flute and cello. Not a big change in the music from the previous album, this one's a little quieter overall. Most fans of this band will tell you this is their masterpiece, their favourite. The pictures in the liner notes are a little ridiculous with the guy in black robes and hood with his face painted white, I guess he's supposed to be "death" or something. Then there's this young blonde girl and her bed out in the middle of the forest in autumn. She ends up walking away with the "death dude" holding his hand. Her empty bed is on the album cover. I love dark atmospheric music but to be honest this album has neither of those characteristics. It's just fairly mellow with some nice heavy passages.The vocalist reminds me of the singer for METALLICA only he never yells, he just sings (usually) in a reserved manner.

"So Fell Autumn Rain" opens with cello before a really good rhthym kicks in before a minute. Vocals join in.This is both heavy and uplifting. It settles with piano 3 minutes in before kicking back in late. "Hold On Tight" opens with reserved vocals and strummed guitar. The guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in is a slow moving beauty as synths wash in and out. It ends as it began. "Forever Autumn" also opens with strummed guitar and reserved vocals. A fuller sound arrives a minute in. Cello comes and goes. "Pagan Wish" along with the opening track are my favourites.They both have more energy than the rest.Some ripping guitar after 3 minutes.

"Otherwheres" opens with thunder and rain as piano joins in. When the strummed guitar comes in around 1 1/2 minutes the storm stops. You can just tell the sun comes out as we start to hear the birds singing and people laughing. Cool track. "The Homecoming" has some flute in it and an acoustic guitar solo followed by an electric one. "Come Night I Reign" is a good song that kicks in around a minute. "Demon You / Lily Anne" opens with cello followed by a fairly heavy rhythm with vocals. I like the synths. "To Blossom Blue" is laid back with keys, vocals and accordion. Cello late.

This is a good album and it would be a good place to start if you want to check out their sound.