Novembers Doom missed a significant opportunity to release Major Arcana in November, but we’re getting it in September instead. In my neck of the woods, it’s already starting to get cooler, so it’s just as well. If you didn’t know, it’s unlikely I will be unbiased in this review because the band is one of my favorites. On their twelfth album, they don’t change their stripes, which is something I absolutely do not mind. If one paid attention to the press stating Major Arcana would share commonality with Nephilim Grove, its predecessor, you already know what to expect.

Good or bad, this is no departure from the previous (or a Pale Haunt Departure if I may). For me, it’s great. As I previously mentioned, Novembers Doom is one of my favorite bands. I will admit the first single, the title track, “Major Arcana,” does employ some vocal stylings I haven’t heard much before, particularly in the chorus with Paul Kuhr showing off his higher register in his screaming, which also balance his deep, soulful croons. Other than that, it’s a heavy riff, along with Paul’s unmistakable, yet well enunciated and distinguishable growls.

I supposed it’s no mistake to place another single, “Ravenous” directly after the title track. Ya gotta hook ‘em early. A long, deep growl begins it with an almost bright main riff. Paul uses his intelligible, deep growls throughout. This is about as close to the “death” part of their death/doom as there’s not a clean vocal to be found. The production is clean, so unfortunately, it’s not death metal of the dirty, nasty, trench warfare death metal, which will disappoint some.

It’s about time I dig into one of the cuts, “XXII,” that you will not have heard before the release. It’s the closer on Major Arcana and is certainly a summary of the work the band put in during the previous tracks. It is certainly much shorter than the average song length as that usually barrels past the six-minute mark. The verses are growled, the chorus is clean, and those higher pitched screams return in the chorus. The final two minutes bring forth some singing, which is also in a higher register than usual for Novembers Doom, a solo, and of course, a final chorus.

After finishing the album, I certainly have some trivial complaints or issues. Firstly, it’s 51 minutes and consists of nine tracks. That’s not bad, but most of the songs do follow the same formula of growled verses and clean choruses. Every song is excellent, but maybe taking off one wouldn’t have been such a bad idea. The production, if it hadn’t been clear, is also clean and bright. Sometimes I just want my doom to sound kind of dirty and nasty. Aside from those few notes, I am not exactly disappointed, but I did want more experimentation. However, Novembers Doom knows the style at which they excel, and they prove it again here. Overall, I can’t see any unhappiness with any of the current fanbase, and perhaps Major Arcana will garner new ones. I don’t buy as much music as I used to, but the special edition bundle of this one will be in my collection.

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