An Autumn For Crippled Children is by all means what most would refer to as “hipster black metal” and that’s completely fine with me. There’s no secret that these guys enjoy their psychedelic and indie soundscapes, which overflow with keyboards and scowls. As far as blast beats, well I’ve yet to hear a one and I’ve heard this entire record once already. In fact, I can completely assure you that not even one blast beat or a tremolo appears at any place on this recording. So then is it even black metal? Or is it more like blackgaze? It’s very difficult to say, but I will mention that the release is drastically different than anything out there right now and that’s why I knew that I had to review it. Fans of the melodic powerhouse that Deafheaven is will simply fall in love with this dark and beautiful recording, but I’m quite sure that I can already hear the snickering coming from the horde of who will consider this recording “not metal and for posers.” While some may feel that is the case because it doesn’t feel like a heavy metal record in the sense and structure that one might classify an album of that sort, this sort of blackened indie performance will certainly appeal to some of those within the black metal and stargaze community.
