AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN is a Dutch Post-Metal and Atmospheric Black Metal band, with a strong Shoegaze and Experimental Metal influence in their sound. "All Fell Silent, Everything Went Quiet" is their eight album so far, follow-up to 2018's "The Light of September." A ten-track musical journey through nostalgia and melancholia.

Opener "I Became You" beings with textured, Post-Metal guitars and a steady rhythm. A bit of the band's Shoegaze influence becomes evident in the guitar and synth combo, playing along in an ethereal and atmospheric way. Mchl's harsh vocals stay buried in the mix and noisy production.

"Water's Edge" follow, with its warm, busy bassline and a GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT-like atmosphere, yet denser and noisier. More Shoegaze influences, bringing JESU or other Justin Broadrick's projects to mind. Some really tight drumming and pleasant synthesizers, bright and slightly shiny. The last third of the track features massive use of phaser effect on the synths mainly, going for a space-y feel. A song that grows more hypnotizing as seconds pass.

With an abrupt beginning, the listener in thrown into the driving rhythm and pulsating keyboards "Everlasting," a lovely track that mostly stays in the same place and adds little new to the record. Meanwhile, "Paths" opts for busier arrangements, tighter drumming and explosive bits. The vocals are a tad more prominent than on previous tracks, with a punchier, angrier feel while the bass anchors the song with a fun groove. It truly opens up on its middle section. The synthesizers feel a little bit more symphonic than on other songs when it comes to arranging.

"Silver" is another little Post-Rockish track that adds little to the album yet manages to be enjoyable enough. A catchy riff and heavily syncopated drumming makes "None More Pale" a truly fun ride of explosive Atmospheric Post-Metal. It builds and builds towards an emotional climax, crescendoing. Here the synths are used mostly for texture. The busy drum section feels quite reminiscent of bands like MAYBESHEWILL or 65DAYSOFSTATIC. Abrasive, dramatic, passionate.

The title track begins with an exquisite intro that feels straight out of the 90's Post-Rock scene. "All Fell Silent, Everything Went Quiet" even has strong Alternative Rock and even Grunge undertones. The synthesizers are used both for atmosphere and melody. It is undoubtedly the best-produced track on the record and an extremely well written one too. Catchy, powerful, melodic and entertaining. Being a little over three minutes and a half, it still manages to build and release tension in an effective way, making the most of its short length.

"The Failing Senses" features some interesting guitar work and a lovely and nostalgic outro that gives way nicely to "Craving Silence." Some nice, groovy drumming here, as well as a nasty bass-and-guitar combo riff. It doesn't feel that much different from previous tracks but has a peculiar quality to it, something about the melody sticks out.

"All Fell Silent, Everything Went Quiet" ends on a hopeful note. "Distance" is a joyful ending; a high-energy track with a poppy melody. This beautiful closer certainly conveys the vivid image of the first rays of sunlight after a storm, a warm, lovely finale to a very melancholic sounding record.

Overall, AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN make a solid addition to their discography with "All Fell Silent, Everything Went Quiet" even if at times it plays a little safe into the Post-Metal conventions. The rough, sometimes noisy production does hurt the album a bit, especially considering how atmospheric and textured the guitar and synth work is. Mchl's vocals could also be a little bit more prominent for full emotional impact. Still, it is a commendable effort that delivers on an emotional level.