Review Summary: A rare and passionate alternative metal album that possesses perfect flow and abundant moments that really make you feel.
Not many bands show an astounding amount of maturity on their first commercial debut. 10 Years chose to push the envelope with their debut and really create something complex and beautiful here. The album is packed with fantastic musicianship, exceptionally poetic lyrics, and powerfully delivered vocals. A running theme of the album is the natural decay of things whether it be human nature or literally the season of Autumn. The Autumn Effect makes decay sound so beautiful and the term alternative metal doesn't do this fantastic work justice.
The album kicks off with Waking Up and this is the perfect choice for an album opener. Right from the start, singer Jesse Hasek sounds a little bit like Maynard James Keenan, but don't let this similarity fool you . Jesse naturally sounds like him at key points in the album, but Jesse's voice remains his own throughout the album and he really adds to the complex mood of the album. Waking Up is a perfect example of the bands musicianship and it showcases punchy guitars, consistent drumming and relatable yet complex lyrics. The lyrics remain consistent throughout the album and they are beautifully poetic without developing a certain pretentiousness. Following is Fault Line which begins with an expertly played bass line. Jesse speaks about a failing relationship, but whether it be about a partner or parents is entirely up to you. The Recipe contains very catchy vocals and an original guitar riff that really works. These three songs really showcase the album's overall sound and what's to come.
From here on the entire album never lets up. The album's radio hit Wasteland boasts an incredible message of not being a bystander and it does so without ever being corny. The music and lyrics are incredible just like the rest of the little gems on the album. Right after Wasteland is Seasons to Cycles. Oh boy what a song this is. It's the slowest song on the album that contains no electric guitar and it consists of almost entirely strings and acoustic guitar. All of this compliments Jesse's soothing vocals and thought-provoking lyrics.
Even though the album has some slower numbers it is not without it's exhilarating heavy outings. Half Life is the heaviest song on the album and one of the best. It begins with guitar feedback and then everything else comes in with an incredible bang. Jesse sings very powerfully about how our wants and needs often take us over. Empires has the same lyrical content and punch to it, but it is lyrically straight forward. "Days pass, time flies, you don't realize today, you waste." It's an exemplary song, but it clocks in at about 2:42 and it could have been a tad longer.
The album's final three songs present some of the bands best ideas and content to date. Insects starts out very somber and then the chorus comes in with an infectious guitar riff and emotional vocals about how "love in time grows stagnant." Paralyzing Kings boasts astoundingly thought-provoking lyrics and a crescendo near the end that does not disappoint. Then we come to the final song that happens to be the title track. This track is mesmerizing and it is best listened to while laying under an autumn tree while it's leaves are falling off. Not only could the song represent the decay of the autumn season, but it is also symbolism for how whatever comes up must come down at some point. Only this song makes something so depressing sound so beautiful.
The aesthetic of The Autumn Effect will be an experience you will never forget. The heartbreaking and emotional instrumental interludes never fail at really making you fee and the astounding level of maturity in its music is something you don't normally see in a debut. It is one of the most meaningful alternative metal albums out there and one of the best of its genre. This overlooked masterpiece is a must listen for fans of alternative metal.
