After 6 albums, November’s Doom have been one of the most consistent acts in the US doom/death scene and along with Daylight Dies have made some international noise and comparisons. However, they have never really taken that true step forward (as Daylight Dies did with Dismantling Devotion), but now with album number 6, the rock solid act has indeed changed things up.Glossed with a stunning all-star production/mastering job by Dan Swano and James Murphy, November’s Doom have now loped into more aggressive death metal territory. Not to say The Novella Reservoir is suddenly all blast beats and burps, but the influence of Swano and Murphy’s many projects appears to seep through the still melancholy tinged material.
The higher tempos, burlier percussion and overall, less moping overtures are immediately evident as opener “Rain” rumbles into view but the tracks are still flocked with synths and Paul Kuhr’s mix of unmistakable growls and clean crooning. “Drowning the Inland Mere”, “Voice Of Failure”, “Dominate the Human Strain” follow suite with surprisingly ample heft. And each is a standout in its own right. The band hasn’t forsaken their roots completely as tracks like the doomier “The Novella Reservoir” and “They Were Left to Die” saunter with the bands former depressive gait.
That all being said, two standout tracks, ballads if you will, show the band has not forgotten their roots as the tear inducing (for those of you like myself and I believe Mr. Kuhr, that have young daughters) “Twilight of Innocence” and mournful dirge of “Leaving This” show Kuhr at the top of his lyrical and singing game.
The Novella Reservoir is yet another superb success for one of the scene’s most deserving bands. But it also shows a band not afraid to tweak their sound just enough to warrant continued growth and excellence.
