A bit weaker than their previous releases.

Written by Awesomesaurus on 16.11.2011 at 13:03

A bit weaker than their previous releases.

I agree... They used to sound quite better :/

I find this album a better release than their last one, and therefore their best with Marjan singing. They've moved the lyrics toward a slightly murkier tone, and after the first handful of listens, musically it opens up a lot for me. Perfect rainy November music...

Written by Jason W. on 16.11.2011 at 23:31

I find this album a better release than their last one, and therefore their best with Marjan singing. They've moved the lyrics toward a slightly murkier tone, and after the first handful of listens, musically it opens up a lot for me. Perfect rainy November music...

I can agree with the statement that Marjan sounds on Cold Comfort better than ever, but songs are weaker and more oriented to soft/atmo rock than on metal, they need more power and complexity in them cos harmonies are not the problem - they are perfect as always. On this release there are only two songs of Autumns trademark sound: The Venamoured and The Mute (Inhale).

Written by Awesomesaurus on 17.11.2011 at 18:56

I can agree with the statement that Marjan sounds on Cold Comfort better than ever, but songs are weaker and more oriented to soft/atmo rock than on metal, they need more power and complexity in them cos harmonies are not the problem - they are perfect as always. On this release there are only two songs of Autumns trademark sound: The Venamoured and The Mute (Inhale).

I can easily see that leaning toward the atmospheric rock side of the spectrum could make the sound less interesting, so maybe this newer style of Autumn is just not as much for you then I like how they are playing atmospheric metal/rock - but written for metal fans, not prog or rock fans. I do feel the biggest factor is the mix in the last two albums, which I find is an attempt to match Marjan's voice, which is more murky and soft by nature, unlike Nienke's. I still find a lot of similarities in this album with My New Time that make it distinctly Autumn, but the mix is so different it makes it feel like a different band at times However, "The Venamoured" is a great choice for older fans to start with - it ends on thick, heavy guitarwork for two minutes, and would be great live!

Written by Jason W. on 17.11.2011 at 21:27

Written by Awesomesaurus on 17.11.2011 at 18:56

I can agree with the statement that Marjan sounds on Cold Comfort better than ever, but songs are weaker and more oriented to soft/atmo rock than on metal, they need more power and complexity in them cos harmonies are not the problem - they are perfect as always. On this release there are only two songs of Autumns trademark sound: The Venamoured and The Mute (Inhale).

I can easily see that leaning toward the atmospheric rock side of the spectrum could make the sound less interesting, so maybe this newer style of Autumn is just not as much for you then I like how they are playing atmospheric metal/rock - but written for metal fans, not prog or rock fans. I do feel the biggest factor is the mix in the last two albums, which I find is an attempt to match Marjan's voice, which is more murky and soft by nature, unlike Nienke's. I still find a lot of similarities in this album with My New Time that make it distinctly Autumn, but the mix is so different it makes it feel like a different band at times However, "The Venamoured" is a great choice for older fans to start with - it ends on thick, heavy guitarwork for two minutes, and would be great live!

Well, Autumn can be labeled as gothic metal only if you are very lazy to think outside that box a little bit. For sure their roots lie in that scene and even now the music is slow & romantic in the same time so some gothic metal vibe can be heard but also the music is very relaxed and forsaking any shackles of genre defining. Autumn have branched to some murky/proggy and rock waters (mix/production-vise) to make one very listenable album so if I have to make some comparisons in overall sound - I would pull out their colleges in The Gathering from their less experimental phase (Mandylion) as natural ones. I like Cold Comfort, but that would not change my opinion that it is weaker than Altitude which remains my favorite and groundbreaking one.

Written by Jason W. on 16.11.2011 at 23:31

I find this album a better release than their last one, and therefore their best with Marjan singing. They've moved the lyrics toward a slightly murkier tone, and after the first handful of listens, musically it opens up a lot for me. Perfect rainy November music...

I feel the same way. Truth be told though, am a huge fan of this band. So, am probably abit biased

I am stunned by this album. It's just wonderful

My New Time was my first exposure to Autumn, so I of course found Altitude to be sub-par, a very nice yet sometimes boring release. Yeah, they changed styles and changed vocalists but Altitude just felt really unsure and transitional. It lacked the spark that My New Time had. Well, for my ears Cold Comfort has welcomed in their new era with confidence and they no longer sound in transition. This album blew my mind with its beauty, heavy mood, and subtle harmonies. Excellent composition and performance!

Lovely step forward from Altitude. I love a band that can grow and progress in such a way.

I really try to love this album but i couldn't. I have bought it and what can i say: simple, non-memorable songs. Sow them live and they sound much better. I coundn't belive how great band it is when i sow them live. VOCALS Guitars drums...bas- everything was great!! I dont know but maby it is something wrong with production, sound engineer. Maby 10 years before this album would heve been 10/10 (early The Gathering times). Anyway...if i am wrong i will regred these words;)

Well, you like what you like, noting wrong with that.

I did find the album memorable. Even after just two listens I was already humming a few of the songs. Now I love it more with each listen

Ok so i am wrong. I have feeling that al that music, riffs...i have heard arleady before. Merry Christmas

Retrospect is probably the most memorable track here :3

Without a doubt a step in the right direction compared to Altitude which had its moments but was rather bland and forgettable overall. With Cold Comfort however it feels like the band has evolved and improved in just about every aspect.

The album is very calming and oozes with atmosphere while Mirjan does a flawless job with her incredible yet subtle vocals. There is no weak song but some of them are more memorable than others.

Written by Ag Fox on 20.12.2011 at 07:34

Retrospect is probably the most memorable track here :3

Perhaps. I'll vote for End of Sorrow. It immediately stuck out since the harmonies are so reminiscent of classic American Gospel or even Appalachian folk music. Not what I thought Autumn would be playing with. It's the chord progressions and, actually, the way the lines resolve more than anything. I think that's why it keeps feeling like a nice little surprise even throughout the song.

So End of Sorrow and Retrospect I'd say are the most "memorable" but then there is also Naeon which may be the best of the "higher energy" tracks. AND then there is Truth Be Told which gets all jazzy for a second about half way through. Too many nice surprises in this one. I'm so damn pleased.

Written by Susan on 24.12.2011 at 01:22

Written by Ag Fox on 20.12.2011 at 07:34

Retrospect is probably the most memorable track here :3

Too many nice surprises in this one. I'm so damn pleased.

well yes, the whole package is just very well done (=

To be honest, I never liked this band before, but i heard all of their previous albums. That's why I was surprised after listening to "Cold Comfort". Sometimes it reminds me of The Gathering of various periods of their musical evolution, sometimes even of Madder Mortem. Therefore, given that I love those two bands too much, I couldn't help falling in love with this album. Despite all this, surely the band's isn't trying to be a copycat, and they don't appear as one - one can hear that Autumn, if haven't still developed their unique kind of sound, are on the way to achieving that goal.