We’ve stepped into October, the days are getting shorter, the nights a little colder, and autumn has fully wrapped us in its embrace. Our “autumn mode” is officially switched on! What better soundtrack for this season than the heavy, melancholic and atmospheric sounds of rock and metal? After all, autumn has always been a season that inspires musicians — a time of reflection, change, and even decay, themes that fit perfectly with the spirit of rock and metal music. Why not dive into songs that don’t just sound like autumn but actually carry the word “autumn” in their very titles or refer to autumn in their lyrics? From doom-laden dirges to gothic serenades and rock ballads, these tracks capture the essence of the season in every riff and lyric. Let’s celebrate the fall, and push play on some of the most evocative “autumn” songs ever written in rock and metal.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
- Electric Light Orchestra – “The Fall”
A hidden gem from Electric Light Orchestra, featured on the “Xanadu” (1980) Original Soundtrack. Written and produced by Jeff Lynne, the song is both a love ballad about heartbreak and a metaphorical reflection on autumn and the quiet decay it represents. The warm bass intro, Lynne’s unmistakable vocals, Richard Tandy’s lush keyboards, and the exquisite melodies come together to create a truly heavenly track. Its melancholic beauty and subtle, mysterious grandeur make it utterly irresistible. As always, Jeff Lynne’s songwriting and composition shine like pure magic! A strange magic!
- Galadriel – “The Autumn Leaves”
The Slovak band Galadriel, founded in July 1995, are known for their melodic/gothic death metal sound. One of their standout tracks is “Autumn Leaves”, taken from the 2007 album “Renascence Of Ancient Spirit”. With its cold, haunting melody intertwined with heavy, dark riffs, the song creates a deeply melancholic atmosphere that pulls the listener in. The arrangement is rich and engaging, while the interplay between the brutal male vocals and the clean female vocals elevates the track to a striking artistic level. A beautiful song, rich in phenomenal lyricism, yet without losing its heaviness and prog elements — a must-listen for every metalhead.
- Guns N’ Roses – “November Rain”
Of course, “November Rain” couldn’t be absent from a list of songs with autumn reference! One of Guns N’ Roses’ most iconic songs, a sweeping, emotional hard rock ballad, it was released in 1992 as the third single from “Use Your Illusion I” album (1991), it was written by Axl Rose and has become one of the most recognized rock anthems of the ’90s. Clocking in at 8 minutes and 57 seconds, it’s one of the longest songs ever to break into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, where it peaked at #3. The song blends orchestral arrangements with classic hard rock power — lush piano melodies, dramatic strings, and of course, Slash’s legendary guitar solos. The song builds from a gentle piano ballad to an explosive rock climax, capturing the emotional turbulence of love, loss, and longing. Guns’ N Roses at their finest!
- Hällas – “Autumn In Space”
Blending ’70s hard rock and proto-metal with ’80s heavy metal and progressive rock, Hällas have forged a unique sound that has earned them recognition within the global vintage rock/metal scene. Formed in Sweden, the band began their journey with their self-titled EP in 2015 — a release that immediately showcased their vision. Opening track “Autumn in Space” is a true hidden gem: a glorious old-school hard rock/metal piece that feels both timeless and otherworldly. It transports the listener back to the golden age of heavy music, while hinting at the future that Hällas themselves would go on to shape. The guitars, in particular, are nothing short of electrifying — pure shock and awe.
- Justin Hayward – “Forever Autumn”
A timeless ballad that reaches straight into the heart, “Forever Autumn” is one of those rare songs that can move you to tears. Often hailed as the ultimate hymn for autumn, it’s a love song wrapped in melancholy beauty, originally written by Jeff Wayne, Gary Osborne, and Paul Vigrass. While many mistakenly associate it with The Moody Blues, the truth is that it belongs to Justin Hayward, the band’s guitarist, vocalist, and frontman, who gave the song its unforgettable voice. Hayward’s haunting rendition was featured on “Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds”, where his tender, emotive delivery transformed the song into something truly celestial. The arrangement is lush and dramatic, but it’s Hayward’s voice that elevates “Forever Autumn” into the realm of timeless classics. In many ways, “Forever Autumn” is like a hymn sung by an angel, carried by the voice of a man blessed with talent.
- Insomnium – “The Lay of Autumn”
Melodic death metal forerunners Insomnium released their fourth album, Across The Dark, in 2009, and within it lies one of their most breathtaking creations — “The Lay of Autumn.” With an existential theme and monumental musical grandeur, this 9-minute opus blends death, doom, gothic, prog, and folk elements into a masterpiece of atmospheric extreme metal. The track draws the listener into vast autumnal soundscapes, where light and shadow wrestle, and where despair paradoxically gives birth to life. Songs like this defined Insomnium’s place in the annals of extreme metal — proof that their vision extends far beyond the boundaries of melodic death metal.
- The Kinks – “Autumn Almanac”
The Kinks, the legendary rock band of the 60s, influenced so many musicians and bands, that they are cited as great music pioneers. “Autumn Almanac” may not be so famous as “You Really Got Me” or “Lola”, but it is one of their most beautiful songs, a song ahead of its time with all its elements and characteristics! It is a Ray Davies composition, one of these quintessential English pop songs that captures the everyday beauty of ordinary life. It’s a non-album single, that was published in 1967 and praised for its mellow, melodic sound that was to characterize the Kinks’ future style. “Autumn Almanac” is like autumn itself: warm, familiar, a little melancholy, and absolutely beautiful in its own quiet, everyday way.
- Lake Of Tears – “Forever Autumn”
Lake of Tears’ “Forever Autumn” stands among the most emotional, sensitive, and poignant songs in the history of rock and metal. An anthem of the season, written by Daniel Brennare, this gothic rock ballad captures autumn’s essence with rare beauty. Featured on the album of the same name, released in July 1999 via Black Mark, the song marks a true career high for the Swedish band. “Forever Autumn” reaches deep into the listener’s soul, weaving a melancholic atmosphere that lingers long after the music fades. The imagery is vivid: the leaves are falling, the cold wind is blowing, and Lake of Tears deliver their sorrowful hymn with such magic and harmony that time seems to stand still.
- Novembers Doom – “Autumn Reflection”
The iconic death/gothic/doom metal band Novembers Doom has carved its name in history with a series of remarkable albums. From their 2005 release The Pale Haunt Departure comes “Autumn Reflection” — a profoundly sentimental and sorrowful track that gradually unveils its melancholic beauty with each listen. Dedicated to vocalist Paul Kuhr’s daughter, Rhiannon Autumn Kuhr, the song resonates like a lullaby, a serenade, and a poetic letter all at once. Not a ballad, but a doom-laden elegy, “Autumn Reflection” is destined to haunt you through the fading days of fall.
- Strawbs – “Autumn”
Strawbs were among the most talented English rock bands of the 1970s, incorporating strong progressive rock elements into their music. “Autumn,” taken from their seventh album Hero and Heroine, stands as one of their finest prog compositions. Structured in three parts, the piece showcases not only excellent guitar work but also the mesmerizing keyboards of John Hawken (The Nashville Teens, Renaissance), with the Mellotron adding a majestic, symphonic touch. As the opening track of what is arguably the band’s most progressive album, “Autumn” shines as a celestial, luminous piece that continues to captivate fans of refined, sophisticated rock. If you love the great prog suites of the early to mid-’70s, this timeless gem is not to be missed.
