I been listnin to hevy gat dam medl for almost thirdy gat damd yeers. You would think I could hear anything and make at least a preliminary judgment about its quality without too much fucking fuss. And yet I can’t make a decision about Novembre. Is it the best goth record I have heard in a long time, or is it among the weaker heavy metal record?
Emotionless singing, generally double or triple tracked with minor keyed harmonies, all in the mid range, giving the impression of a less self important style of goth vocals, combined with more or less non metal lead guitar work, but also with a more or less metal rhythm section; and some tastefully downplayed keyboards. All these components go to work over some very melancholic compositions – stuff that might make fans of Katatonia smile…er, mourn. Whatever you people do. Compelling. But successful?
I think that depends very much on the listener. And that’s my quandary. I am so used to being able to digest and regurgitate a review after three listens that this record disturbs me more than even shitty cult black metal bands. And after somewhere around ten listens I can’t give you a bottom line. And that is probably the best recommendation you could ask for. Anything that keeps me this undecided is worth a fucking listen.
Compositionally the works range from memorable to almost laughable. It’s a matter of how and when the singer places his lyrics, but also has something to do with the band’s tendency to get clever where they don’t need to be. When it works it really shines, but when it doesn’t, it just sounds forced and silly.
The production captures the nuances and moodiness as well as the occasional crunchiness just fine. Louder, meatier guitars would have been cool, but I imagine it would have also worked against the band’s direction. Nevertheless, it’s heavy enough to warrant being here. All the musicianship is fine, if not spectacular. The singer really throws the wrench into the works though. Nasally, quietly sung without bravado or pretend angst. However there is some forced melancholia happening in his performance, and sometimes it grates.
Bottom line ain’t happening. Moody, gothy atmospheric metal is fucking damn near impossible to get right. I have to give points to this band for a seriously powerful attempt to get it to work without becoming artsy or too self important. I would absolutely recommend this to fans of Katatonia. I have always been lukewarm about that band, maybe for the same reasons I describe here. For average joemetalfucks like me this is worth checking just for the inventiveness and the parts that go right. I get a feeling this disc will grow on me over time, but not to become a must have favorite. Overall I think everyone should give this a chance.
