Crown of Autumn
The Treasures Arcane

Are you tired of bland gothic metal that lacks any edge? Tired of listening to Cradle Of Filth because the new ones are a bit hit or miss and you know the old ones by heart? Well, if that's the case, then giving a listen to The Treasures Arcane by our very own Crown Of Autumn is absolutely recommended.

Founded in 1995 as the band of the talented Emanuele Rastelli (already active with Crimson Dawn and Magnifiqat), Crown Of Autumn was like a beacon of light in the dark Italian metal scene, managing with just one album, the subject of this review, to become one of the cult bands of the Italian underground. This was thanks to a musical offering that, while not particularly original (gothic metal with many influences from symphonic black metal), definitely brought a breath of fresh air to our stagnant metallic world. The album moves between symphonic and orchestrated parts, especially in the spoken track named "In Ageless Slumber," where Rastelli's voice takes center stage accompanied only by an organ background, but also in the short intro "Equinox" and the final track "Forlorn Elven Realms" (both instrumental and fusing classical music with vaguely medieval elements). At the same time, there are extremely intense and violent parts, as seen in "Noctural Gold Part II: The Name Of Inquietude" or the title track, where rhythms first slow then become frenzied (the work of one Matt Stancioiu, executing an absolutely perfect job), a remarkable scream, and omnipresent keyboards capable of creating an absolutely dark and sulphurous atmosphere reign supreme. The forty-one minutes of the album pass by excellently, perfectly balancing, as mentioned, melody and violence, class and elegance, and aggression, all set in a gothic and dark atmosphere.

Highly recommended therefore, to all who want to try a product that, as usual, has been somewhat forgotten by most, but deserves to be rediscovered given its actual artistic value.

Tracklist

1- Equinox

2- Towers Of Doleful Triumph

3- A Lyre In The Old Vesper's Realm

4- Noctural Gold Part I: In Ageless Slumber

5- Noctural Gold Part II: The Name Of Inquietude

6- The Nettle Path Of Grief

7- Thou Mayst In Me Behold

8- The Treasures Arcane

9- ...And the Cold Came O'er the Feud

10- Neath Selenic Majesty

11- Forlorn Elven Realms

Line-up

Emanuele Rastelli (Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals)

Diego Balconi (Vocals)

Matt Stancioiu (Drums)