Of course, that doesn’t mean "Summer’s End" isn’t an excellent album in its own right. It also received a great deal of praise and garnered Autumn spots on some well-known metal festivals (Summer Darkness, M’era Luna, and Metal Female Voices) as well as the opening slot on Within Temptation’s German tour for "The Silent Force."

What’s interesting about Autumn’s style on this particular album is the power and uniqueness they showcase. Like their highly successful countrymen and women (Within Temptation, After Forever, and Epica), Autumn sounds strong, versatile, and dynamic musically. That’s where the similarities end. Former vocalist Nienke de Jong has a warm, emotive voice that’s rock-oriented – and, in a good way, not all that operatic. For atmospherics, listeners can hear mellow background vocals, somber pianos, and theatrical keyboards creep in where orchestras and choirs could have easily been placed. Altogether, these elements create a dark, mythical feel that rivals the material that Autumn’s fellow Dutch metallers offered around the same time.

Another noticeable difference between "Summer’s End" and "My New Time" is the lyrics. While the latter is more about emotions and personal experiences, the former is a slight deviation from the medieval and mysterious lore told in Autumn’s first album, "When Lust Evokes the Curse." Witchcraft and mythology are the two major themes of "Summer’s End," with some legend-like tales of betrayal, spirituality, and paranoia. However, the lyrics weave their way seamlessly into the music and still evoke relatable feelings such as melancholy, soul-searching, and confidence. In other words, new listeners need not be frightened by the lyrical content of this album.

The first two tracks from "Summer’s End" are "The Coven" and "Gospels in Dusk" – two songs that are starkly different from each other. "The Coven" is spooky and jarring, with doom-ish keyboards and the ominous tolling of a clock in the background. "Gospels in Dusk," on the other hand, is smooth, fast-paced, and magnetic. Nienke sings with passion and good range on both tracks, a trend that continues throughout the album.

The most well-known track from this album is the slow-building single "Gallery of Reality." With a soft intro that gradually implores the listener with each instrument and a forlorn yet memorable chorus, it captures the essence of Autumn’s style at the time. Another highlight is the closing track "Solar Wake." It’s an experimental ballad that allows Nienke to strip herself bare, artistically speaking. She wrote the poignant, "coming-of-age" lyrics and delivers some striking, emotional vocals that resonate long after the song has finished playing.

Throughout the rest of the album, there is plenty of musical variety. Autumn goes from crushing and ghostly ("Silent Madness") to mysterious and mournful ("Vision Red") and then to sinister and progressive ("Whispering Secrets"). Meindert Sterk, founder of Autumn and former bassist/songwriter, brings his deep grunts only to a handful of songs, mainly to enhance some of the darker passages.

Some songs have interesting touches that add to their ambience. A synthesized accordion laces through "Whispering Secrets," and subdued sirens ring out in one quiet bridge during the title track – and that’s just to name a few things to listen for. The guitar work on "Summer’s End" is also rather impressive, transitioning effortlessly as the colors of each song change and always managing to sound brooding and groovy. Listeners should keep their ears open during the title track for not one, but two intricate guitar solos.

In all honesty, there is not a single song on "Summer’s End" that feels out of place. Each track is distinct and captures different facets of Autumn. In the end, it depends on how many songs the listener likes. It may take a little time to adjust to the more unconventional tracks. After one rotation, though, listener will be convinced that "Summer’s End" was – and still is – a solid stepping stone for Autumn on their road to becoming one of most promising bands of their kind.

8.5 / 10