THE NOVELLA RESERVOIR - REVIEWS

[Novembers Paul]

Novembers Doom- The Novella Reservoir-CD (The End Records)

So Paul, Larry and Joe the soul of the band as I called since the days of old when Erik and Mary Departed. Come to us with long time guitars Vito and new Bassist Chris to give us The Novella Reservoir. Again Knobs turned by Dan Swano (Edge of Sanity , Moontower, Unicorn etc for* Mixing* and Mastered by James Murphy ( Testament, Death etc). Novembers Doom at one time were a doom/death band to match the likes of My Dying Bride, Anathema, Morgion etc. Now on what I think is there 6th CD we have a release that mixes Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal elements and Sweeping and Lush Gothic Doom. The melody plays a huge role this time were the last time out on " The Pale Heart Departure" It was a lot more a mix of Brutality and darkness. The Growls and Crushing riffs are there but they mix a lot of the harmony guitars and cleaner vocals into the brutal moments as well. I really feel that November Doom has taken their sound to all there own. Novembers Doom no longer sound like another band mixed with other styles . They stand in a small group of bands like Opeth, In Flames, Dio , Judas Priest, Iron Maiden were from the 1st riff to last song you know its NOVEMBERS DOOM . The Novella Reservoir* is the closest thing to a magical almost genre changing release as you going to get in 2007 . Two Horns raised high!!!!

http://absolutezeromedia.us/

[Novembers Paul]

Novembers Doom - The Novella Reservoir

Novembers Doom is back with their 6th full length album, The Novella Reservoir. Everything I have heard from them I enjoyed, but never left me craving more. I must say, this album has me craving more. It is dark, dynamic, atmospheric and heavy as hell. This album feels faster and more aggressive than the other material I heard by them. For those who have never heard Novembers Doom, think of a more direct version of Opeth. They don't sound like an Opeth clone, but they use aspects of death, doom, folk and prog to create a similar atmosphere. Novembers Doom puts more focus on the death and doom and less time on the folk and prog even though it is still in there.

The songs are pretty concise and bleak as hell. The riffs are pretty brutal and the solos are very melodic. The heavy riffs really compliment Paul Kuhr's low growl. He has one of the most intense growls in the business. They also make good use of acoustic sections/interludes in songs. They are always well placed and never overused. The two mellow songs on the album (Twilight Innocence and Leaving This) really show off Paul Kuhr's clean vocals. Twilight Innocence gives me a huge Anathema vibe. Good stuff.

I am happy to officially be a Novembers Doom fan. This album has it all without dragging. All of the songs are solid and flow real well into each other. I highly recommend this to fans of: Opeth, Anathema, Katatonia and Dark Suns.

Reviewed by: Jake Rosenberg
Transcending the Mundane
www.basementbar.com

[Novembers Paul]

Chicago's death/doom masters November's Doom have returned with a powerful new CD entitled "The Novella Reservoir". While staying true to the style they have established with the past releases, this new album is just fierce. More speed, more brutality, more raw energy. This is definitely a heavier record than their last effort, "A Pale Haunt Departure".

This gargantuan epic begins with "Rain". Right off the bat, it's easy to hear the heavier path they have taken. There are absolutely no clean vocals in this track, just deep, roaring growls and powerful screams. The second track is "The Novella Reservoir". This track begins in something remeniscent of November's Doom's previous releases: sweet acoustic guitar and majestic layers that make way for a medium paced "chunk" moment. There are also clean vocals in this piece which sound absolutely great.They fit with the harsher moments perfectly and flow seemlessly into one another. This track also showcases a tight and attention-grabbing solo. The next track begins in total brutality. Quick double kicks, shredding guitars and belowing growls. Surprisingly, this track also brings in an impressive solo. The fourth composition is entitled "Twilight Innocence" and provides a welcomed break from the heavier tracks. This acoustic serenade is sweet, calming, and peaceful. It is really a beautiful song.

The next track returns to heavy distortion and pounding drums. While "The Voice of Failure" is not the fastest of songs, it is progressive, well thought through, and incredibly recorded. The harmonized clean vocals create an eerie soundscape that contrasts the instruments well. "They Were Left to Die" follows and sticks passionately to the classic November's Doom style. Not overtly heavy, not soft either, it goes from one end of the spectrum to the other throughout the length of he song. The second to last track is "Dominate The Human Strain". This sinister track packs on the sense of dread with steady tempo's, moving guitars and memorable hooks. The final track is entitled "Leaving this" and showcases amazing clean vocals over distortioned, yet melodic guitars marked with slower grooves, and progressive elements.

While I would have liked a more powerful ending to this album, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with it. Just like the promo package says, it's a natural progression for November's Doom and nothing in this album seemed forced. It fits them, it shows evolution, and it sounds good.

This is a definite buy for fans of November's Doom, Opeth, Swallow the Sun, and the like.

http://www.darksoul7.com/

[Novembers Paul]

Let me be the first to point out that there are changes on the move with the last Novembers Doom album. While these Chicago, IL, doomsters have been steadily rising in popularity, the band decided to make a step forward by looking back. The latest album The Novella Reservoir is nothing like I have heard before from Novembers Doom and I happen to own their every album starting with 1999 Of Sculptured Ivy and Stone Flowers. The roots of the Chicago death metal scene, the bands like Usurper, Disinter and Jungle Rot, must have beckoned to Novembers Doom. The Novella Reservoir can not be confused with unrelenting blitzkrieg death metal, but this is the fastest and the most aggressive the band has ever been.

You can almost feel it coming from the first moments of the opener Rain. If you are a melodic doom band, aren’t you supposed to start the album, especially giving the opening track title, with some soft sounds of falling water? Forget it. Instead of a wimpy shower we get a pounding gale, a masculine storm with steady death metal riffs, soaring growl mixed with some higher shrieks and “rain” exhales in the chorus. There is only one little opening this song gives, and if you missed it, too bad, you are now sucked into the vortex and must go through with the whole album, because you are going to be hooked.

And there is definitely more to come in this vein on The Novella Reservoir. More urgent shredding double bass supported thrashing riffs on Drown the Inland Mere, The Voice of Failure and Dominate the Human Strain, the pressing single note melody on Drown the Inland Mere, the dark harmony apocalyptic Kataklysmic chorus of Dominate the Human Strain – this record breathes vitality and forcefulness. Sure enough, there are cleaner moments blended in, the acoustics on the title track, the catchy chorus of The Voice of Failure. Yet, this is the record of newfound vigor and strength, the song like meandering They Were Left to Die not meshing well with the rest of The Novella Reservoir intensity. Something completely appropriate on Pale Haunt Departure, They Were Left to Die, on its own, is a strong doom cut, but here it feels like That Thing That Should Not Be on Master of Puppets, you want to get to Welcome Home (Sanitarium) as soon as you can (no idea if my analogy is appropriate).

You have got to love how the step up in speed and intensity overload does not interfere with the band’s playing emotionally. It is not how fast you play, but how much of yourself is poured into the song. When Novembers Doom is melodic on The Novella Reservoir, they are going all out. Solos on the title track and Drown the Inland Mere are longing, tuneful lounges. Leaving This is beautiful with its My Dying Bride distorted wall of sound, clean singing, subtle background chorus and woven in piano at the end. Paul Kuhr’s tribute to his daughter Rhiannon, Twilight Innocence, albeit simple sonically with its acoustic melody, gets me on its lyrics every time. Just like a true father, Paul understands that not only we inspire our children, but we are, in return, are inspired by them to be better men. His are the thoughts I often have staring at my 6-year old when she is sleeping.

When not being tender, Paul’s growl has become ever more towering, especially reaching its Akerfeldt/Swano devouring qualities on Rain and Dominate the Human Strain. Aforementioned Dan Swano is responsible for the album’s mixing and, along with bass player/producer/an important man in the Chicago’s metal scene Chris Djuricic, the production on The Novella Reservoir has that atmospheric death quality found on the early Opeth albums. If only that Joe Nunez’s kick drum was as heavy during fast portions as it is on the slower churns of the title track.

Novembers Doom is probably tired of the comparisons, but if you are looking for the early Opeth feeling, if not in the riffs or compositions, then at least in attitude, The Novella Reservoir is a gift. The comparison is actually flattering for Novembers Doom as their songs are, in fact, songs, not random compositions, and what they give up in the progressive nature and acoustics, they gain in the songwriting tightness.

At first I thought I may not like one of my favorite American melodic doom bands go deathy on me. Having swallowed the first listen and getting the point across my brain, I have been enjoying the atmospheric death of The Novella Reservoir ever since. A quick note to The End Records – although we, reviewers, are a greedy bunch and do not deserve the full works of the promo, like booklet, etc., it would have been really good to include it, especially for the band with the “thinking man’s” lyrics of Novembers Doom.

Reviewed by Alex - 90/100
CD OF THE MONTH
http://www.metalreviews.com/

[Novembers Paul]

Novembers Doom: The Novella Reservoir

It's very early in 2007, but The End Records have already come up with the two early contenders for metal albums of the year with Melechesh's latest Emissaries and this monster release from Chicago's Novembers Doom. The Novella Reservoir is indeed just that, a monster album of death and doom metal, with plenty of progressive and atmospheric elements to help it appeal to a broader audience. If you thought their previous The Pale Haunt Departure is something special, you haven't heard anything yet.

On The Novella Reservoir the band have speeded up their sound a bit and added in some proggy bits, so if you are looking for more of slow, doomy, sludge ridden and morose style of previous albums you might be in for a surprise. Working with James Murphy and Dan Swano on the mastering and mixing seems to have injected a healthy dose of classic death metal as well as progressive metal vibe on this album. Honestly, how can the presence of Swano not influence any band? There's a certain Edge of Sanity type feel to many of these songs, as well as Opeth and My Dying Bride as far as some of the varied arrangements and vocal styles. In addition to some of the slower, more melancholy pieces that almost combine Pink Floyd with Katatonia, like on "Leaving This" and "Twilight Innocence", there's plenty of crushing death metal that features awesome guitar riffs, nimble rhythms, and a healthy mix of gutteral death growls and melodic clean passages. Look no further than the rampaging "Rain" and the heavy title track, the latter complete with keyboards and massive riffs, as prime examples of wonderful progressive and doomy death metal, again, sounding like a head on collision between Edge of Sanity, Opeth, and My Dying Bride. If you like you metal speedy and with a "take no prisoners" attitude, look no further than "Drown the Inland Mere", which features some of the best growls on the album from Paul Kuhr. The band mixes in acoustic passages, keyboard interludes, and changes in vocal styles throughout the album (check out the crushing & haunted tone of "They Were Left to Die"), making this one hell of an intriguing listen that keeps you coming back for more.

To say that Novembers Doom have seemingly hit paydirt here is an understatement. The Novella Reservoir is an outstanding extreme metal release. One look at the great Travis Smith designed cover and you instantly are aware that something special is going on here. The hour of doom is upon us, and the metal world will never be the same.

There's a new player on the scene folks, and the name is Novembers Doom.

Review by Pete Pardo
4.5 / 5
http://www.seaoftranquility.org/

[Novembers Paul]

Novembers Doom has been around for quite some time, forming in 1989 and The Novella Reservoir being their seventh release. Their previous effort, The Pale Haunt Departure, was received well by fans and critics. On the musical direction of this album, the band has stated that they took “a step forward in speed and aggression, while still retaining the same sound they've had over the course of their career.” Comparisons have been made to Opeth or Paradise Lost due to the band’s epic style of doom metal, mournful but beautifully written.

Starting with the heavy opening riffs and up-tempo pace of “Rain,” this isn't your stereotypical doom metal like that of My Dying Bride. It surely won't make your eyes heavy. The deathly vocals, along with the double bass and rough guitar sound remind me of Moonspell's latest offering, Memorial, minus the goth appeal. Lead vocalist Paul Kuhr can bellow death metal growls but also can sing a clean, hypnotic melody or chorus, which is rare in metal these days. The Opeth comparison rears its head here, as his growl is similar to lead vocalist, Mike Akerfeldt.

“Drown the Inland Mere” is perhaps the heaviest song of the album (listen here). The first part of this record has no doom metal reference whatsoever, other than the clean and catchy Floydian chorus in the “The Novella Reservoir” or the occasional acoustic guitar. It's not until “Twilight Innocence,” a full-on acoustic ballad, that things change up. This song is neither doom nor metal and it's inclusion at this point in the album is strange. Nevertheless, Kuhr, who is not a perfect fit for this style, holds his own as the focal point of the track. “Voice of Failure” is along the lines of Paradise Lost with its epic chorus. “They Were Left To Die” is a brooding, evil slab of doom metal and one of the album's strongest songs. “Dominate the Human Strain” is straight-up death metal. The eight-song album closes with “Leaving This,” an acoustically-driven number which has a slow build and gives the listener a sense of impending doom—mission accomplished, I suppose. Kuhr's vocals are at his strongest here, pulling in and hypnotizing the listener from start to finish.

Novembers Doom should maybe call themselves Novembers Death for the sake of this release, as the bulk of the album is just that. I am rather intrigued to hear the band's previous material after hearing “Leaving This.” The inclusion of material more along these lines seems to make more sense for this band. Don't get me wrong; their death-oriented material is strong—better than actual death metal bands even—but it causes them to blend in more with an already crowded scene.

This is not my preferred style of metal by any means, but of the bands I have mentioned, Novembers Doom’s material is most appealing to me. With My Dying Bride's last effort being less than spectacular, Paradise Lost playing more of a Metallica style and Opeth's material too long and involved for my taste, it's an easy choice to go with The Novella Reservoir.

6.5 / 10
Review by Jeff Maki
http://www.live-metal.net/

[Novembers Paul]

Don't you kind of hate it, when you receive a highly anticipated release, full of expectations and then when you actually listen to the album you do not necessarily feel disappointed, but rather unsure of your own opinion about the effort at hand? "The Novella Reservoir" is one of these CDs.

Now Ohioan NOVEMBERS DOOM never had been known as a stagnant band by any means, just looking at the evolution between the pure Doom/Death of their debut "Amid Its Hallowed Mirth" from 1995 up to 2005's highly anticipated release of "The Pale Departure" proves this, but even the band's announcement to have gone for a faster, more aggressive approach to their music did not prepare me for the opening sounds of "Rain", the first song off their brand new album "The Novella Reservoir".

Having said debut in my possession, I know that Paul Kuhr can grunt with the best of them, but albeit good, "Rain" sounds more like many other Death Metal bands out there, not really like NOVEMBERS DOOM... The following title track loosens things up a lot, though, going back to the Doomy moods and coupling the again very prominent deep growls with smooth clear vocals and also some great ethereal guitars, so there still is a connection to the past. A connection that you seriously start to doubt, though, once "Drown The Inland Mere" kicks into motion, which is heavy, pretty fast and once again features Kuhr's harsh vocals, was the title track a fluke and we have NOVEMBERS DEATH in the player? There are some more melodic (also vocally) passages, but they rather emphasize the heaviness of the rest of the song than anything else. And then the truly excellent "Twilight Innocence", completely acoustic, with soft vocals as crass contrast, I am getting very confused here!

The NOVEMBERS DOOM of old come to mind, though, with "They Were Left To Die", which is slow and heavy, with this typical Doom vibe and both harsh and clear vocals, while the guitars of "Dominate The Human Strain" are heavy as heavy can be and despite being heavier than what we were used to from the Americans, it fits perfectly with the song! Actually one band that comes to mind in the heavier passages are UNLEASHED, as the pound-heavy riffing and the deep Death Metal voice remind me of the Swedes and Johnny Hedlund, might be just me, though.

Now how do you gather your thoughts after an album like this and come to a conclusion? Well, "The Novella Reservoir" definitely is not what I had expected it to be, but even in its very Death Metal influenced songs they sound better than the majority of bands actually gunning for this sound and the Doom has not yet exited the band's sound, so thumbs up from me, but beware, if you only discovered the band recently, you might be in for a surprising ride!

Review by Alex
7.5 / 10
http://www.metal-observer.com/

[Novembers Paul]

The pallid haunting architecture of The Novella Resevoir from Chicago's crestfallen, sculptured icons - Novembers Doom - is a sanguine escapade into the dudgeon of darkest delights. The precipitation of languid tears and lacrimose melodies will dominate the human's train of thought with it's desolate voice of failure. This tempest of prosaic passion echoes in the dark heart, while the gale force of emptiness engulfs souls in the absence of grace. Teetering on the edge of sanity forlorn, this dirge of sorrow's soliloquoy will welcome the fade to black bliss, and saturate you in sorrow with its sullen hue. Come hither lugubrious spirit and drown in the mere solitude.

Novembers Doom have been suffering their dark art over several decayed tenures of almost 20 years. I have always longed to enjoy their brooding silence, but somehow, I was always a day late, and dolour short. I have been in the knowing of their presence for quite sometime, being good friends with Matt Chapman and Alan Scott from Covington, Kentucky's other doom lords Thorns Of The Carrion.

The Novella Reservoir is the epic follow up to the acclaimed - The Pale Haunt Departure from 2005. Novembers Doom play slow and heavy, with a sound which actually encouraged such acts as Opeth and Katatonia to blossom. Their trademark white squalor has also inspired newcomers Swallow The Sun and Daylight Dies. Main wordsmith Paul Kuhr, who has also laboured with Em Simfonia, sings with that deep baritone bated breath like Ola Lindgren from Grave. He also personifies that Dan Swano/Michael Akerfeldt vigour. Even without a lyric sheet before me, I can easily discern his somber leaden tone. At times he even shares the metal apocalyptic utterance of Nathan Explosion - singer of animated idols - Dethklok. Paul also registers with a range similar to Felix Stass of Crematory; but the music of Novembers Doom resembles only the earliest work of Crematory's sojourn. Guitarists Vito Marchese and Larry Roberts indulge in aggressive riffs which pound and reverberate with a pellucid quietus; leaving this listener more melancholy. Drummer Joe Nunez zones in with the double bass sadistic to increase the chiming syndrome.

Novembers Doom dwell in darkness with unopened eyes. There is nothing earthly about their dismal euphony and forgotten serenity. Bands like Opeth and Katatonia may generate a tremenduous cult following, but it is artists like Novembers Doom who establish the precedent. I have seen Opeth and Katatonia live, on stage they linger through a staid performance of prolonged ineptitude. Novembers Doom have a style much more appealing and consistent; I have heard that their live shows are quite inviting. Their music sets its own archaic course.

Novembers Doom have added to their ranks full time bass player Chris Djuricic, a considerable figure among the Chicago metal milieu. He also recorded The Novella Resevoir, which was then mixed by Dan Swano, and mastered by James Murphy. Musically these opaque landscapes of dread are steeped in a death like silt enticing and luring the listener into the mire, 'neath the canopy of pique puissance.
Songs like Drown The Inland Mere or The Voice Of Failure, and the preening Dominate The Human Strain should satiate any hunger for human tepidity. The title track begins with an acoustic interlude, while maintaining its dejected, sluggsh pace. This CD is mostly an array of dilatory diatribes of dissonance and disconsolation with gradual chorus interludes. The cover artwork and booklet is the undertaking of Travis Smith who laboured longingly to bring Paul's theme of water to life in contrast and flow.

Twilight Innocence detracts from the languor and woeful pine to address a more serious and personal concern: a fathers love for his child. Here the portrait of the concerned parent Paul is faithfully portrayed. I envision a vigilant father watching over his sleeping beautiful daughter Rhiannon, as he reflects on her life while she dreams. I participate in his reflection over his mission and duty to her, motivated by unconditional service . It is this dialogue with the stark priviledge of parenthood which moves me to tears of joy as the purity of innocence pervades.

The End Records is offering a very special edition pre-order for The Novella Reservior which will include a full colour book - The Wayfaring Chronicles (limited to 1000), signed by Paul himself, with a poster. The first 300 include the 6"x9" book and CD enclosed in a vevet pouch. The Wayfaring Chronicles is 84 pages replete with lyrics and their detailed explanantions; as well as photos from every era of the band's incarnation, including live and promo shots, with some never before seen depictions. The book with CD is only $39.99 USD; but mega demand may bring the price down even lower. So, if you relish epic death tones, and impelling doom, come submerge your self in the novel elegance of reserved noir - the cistern of adumbrate rectitude.

Review by Michael Francisco
7 / 10
http://www.metalcovenant.com/

[Novembers Paul]

February 20th marks the month for the release of Novembers Doom new LP "The Novella Reservoir" These guys have been at it since way back in 1989. I have honestly never heard of Novembers Doom, but let me tell you they have quite a bit of accomplishments under their belt. If you were under a rock like me you can find footage of these guys all over the web. You Tube hosts some live feeds of bootleg like clips from their European Tour, and their Myspace page contain a killer cool tour diary from the guys. I seemed to of bonded with the song "Drown The Inland Mere", it was filled with enmity as he says "You'll be underwater."

This amazing album was recorded with Chris Djuricic and masterfully mixed by Dan Swano who has worked with "Edge Of Sanity" and "Bloodbath." Novembers Doom seemed to of broken free from their past musical taste and have evolved slightly since their last record and have been inspired this time by old 90's Chicago metal roots. "The Novella Reservoir" is the 9th release from this band and they have no intentions of slowing it down anytime soon, they plan to keep going strong.

I admit I was a little disappointed that there were only eight tracks, I wanted the experience to last but what can you do? I can see myself listening to this many more times in the near future, it is just too good to waste by placing it on my CD rack to just collect dust. This band was another causality of the many line up changes but sometimes you need to search far and wide for just the right ingredient. Well peeps, I think they have found it. Hopefully the boys will choose to slide thru the states so some of us can witness them in the flesh. If not I guess I will just have to settle with trying to play catch up and getting a hold of all the CD's I haven't heard yet.

These guys still like the doom scene it is just not their creative style anymore. Some critics try and claim that these guys are full on copying other bands such as "Paradise Lost," "Opeth," or "My Dying Bride." I really don't find this to be at all true. I think they are totally there own band and maybe the fans should be the ones doing the judging here.

Reviewed by Kristin
http://www.bacstagepass.com/