Band: The Frozen Autumn
Label: Metropolis Records
Genre: Darkwave, Synthpop, Electro
Release Date: February 2012
Official Website: www.frozenautumn.com
Reviewed By: DJ Gomez
Final Score: 9.1/10
When one thinks of 1980s Goth music, bands such as Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Sisters of Mercy might come to mind. However, I’ve always believed that the French coldwave movement deserves equal attention in regards to its innovation, somber use of electronics, and overall gloomy atmospherics. Bands such as Baroque Bordello, Trisomie 21, and others deserve a special place in any classic Goth enthusiast’s collection. I was instantly reminded of those dark textures when first hearing Italian darkwave band The Frozen Autumn. Their image, aesthetics, and atmosphere present on their latest album Chirality is something sorely lacking in today’s “oontz oontz” dark music scene.
Songwriting:
If there’s one word to describe the songwriting style of The Frozen Autumn, it’s atmospheric. Their frequent use of key changes (tracks such as “Rallentears” and “Breathtaking Beauty” come to mind) and vintage synth leads and ambient padding creates an atmosphere that screams (or sighs) for the 80s. While the formula may be somewhat predictable after a few listens, the results never disappoint.
Vocal Performance:
Throughout the album, male vocalist Diego and female vocalist Froxanne trade roles in taking the lead microphone and playing the synthesizer. Though you’ll never hear them both singing during the same song, they both provide the mood appropriate to the song they’re performing on. Diego’s voice reminds me of Ronny Moorings of Clan of Xymox, providing a deep, moody vocal presence which definitely is bound to appeal to Xymox fans. Froxanne’s vocals take the opposite approach. On tracks such as “Sidereal Solitude” and “So Brave”, her vocals seem to soar with an ambiance that harkens back to Elizabeth Frazier and the Cocteau Twins.
Instrumentation:
Vintage 80s pop lovers rejoice! The choice of instrumentation definitely has an ambient 80s feel (the Elka Synthex and Yamaha DX7 were used extensively). The result is lush, dense, and incredibly beautiful at times.
Production Value:
Though the instruments may be old school, the album has a production quality that sees each synth line receive special attention. The Frozen Autumn has created an atmosphere that is layered but never feels muddy or overdone. The vocals compliment the synthesizers quite nicely, and nothing feels forced or too edgy so as to clash with the rest of the instruments and the overall mood that the album provides.
Greatness Over Time:
As mentioned above, the Frozen Autumn formula is fairly easy to crack. Expect frequent key changes and a heavy supply of old-school synth leads on each track. However, the hooks that are created as a result do not disappoint. This album has been playing repeatedly in my CD player and doesn’t show signs of letting up anytime soon.
Gothicism:
The Frozen Autumn is one of the few bands around today that still provide the original Goth aesthetic that was present in the 80s. Nothing edgy, aggressive, or industrial about this album. Just an introspective, pensive, and emotional journey back to an era often forgotten. Elder Goths are bound to eat this one up!
The Frozen Autumn
Bang For Your Buck:
Overall, this album is a great value for the money. However, be aware that the songwriting style is formulaic. You’ll likely either enjoy every track on the album, or you won’t like any of them. The lack of variety may turn some listeners off, but those who enjoy the style and ambiance of their music are bound to love it.
Closing Thoughts:
Those who enjoy this album should definitely check out The Frozen Autumn’s earlier albums (especially Emotional Screening Device). I wish more bands sounded this way and look forward to more material from Diego and Froxanne in the future (a US tour would be AMAZING). Highly recommended.
Overall Scoring:
Songwriting: 7.7
Vocal Performance: 8.9
Instrumentation: 10
Production Value: 9
Greatness over Time: 9.5
Goth Points: 10
Bang For Your Buck: 8.7
Overall: 9.1/10
