Search - Novembers Doom :: Novella Reservoir

Crushing and Sincere

D. West | Pittsburgh, PA. | 02/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Novembers Doom created what I though was their masterpiece in "The Pale Haunt Departure." They've upped the anty. "Novella Reservoir" is a crushing, at times brutal, yet deceptively beautiful brick of death/doom metal. Vocalist Paul Kuhr sounds sincere and convincing with his discernible "growl" The 2 ballads "Twilight Innocence" and "Leaving this" are performed with great passion and superb guitar playing. The first few bars of the opener "Rain" will get you ready for the inevitable onslaught of tremendous metal riffing. The drumming is also performed perfectly, excellent fills and double-bassing. The riffs, oh man the riffs just bone-jarring and pounding. Novembers Doom have sped up their song arrangements and this decision is awesome. Novembers Doom and Solitude Aeturnus are imo, the 2 bands at the top of the Doom Metal mountain. Don't think twice, get this NOW!!"

Stunning.

Omar Abusamra | 04/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Novembers Doom have big upped themselves in terms of sheer quality. The production is top notch, and theyve really cranked up the intensity of their "Doom Metal." Honestly, this particular disc leaves the aforementioned genre but they have sort of created a subgenre with The Novella Reservoir.

One of the best aspects of Novembers Doom, and always has been, is Paul Kuhr. Discernable death vocals are the best variety because death vocals that you cant understand 24-7 gets old after a while. Thats why I find bands like Novembers Doom, Amon Amarth, and Randy "Corpsegrinder's" Paths of Possession so refreshing. Not only can you understand EVERY SINGLE WORD he growls, but his baritone doom clean vocals are haunting yet beautiful.

Top songs on here have to be Drown in the Inland Mere, Twilight Innocence, and Dominate the Human Strain. DintheIM incorporates every aspect I've come to love about this band, sheer brutality, clean and death vocals, meaningful lyrics. Twilight Innocence is one of the most amazing slow paced yet uplifting pieces from any band from any genre. Dominate the Human Strain is brutal as hell, never really loosening that strangle hold from start to finish and the lyrics in this song are particularly critical of some things as well.

Get this disc, as soon as possible. It's definately in the running for my top release of the year!"