Artist: Novembers Doom
Label: The End Records
Release Date: 3/8/05
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Title: The Pale Haunt Departure Artist: Novembers Doom Label: The End Records Release Date: 3/8/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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5 | ||
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
A band that finds themselves somewhere between Cathedral and Opeth, November's Doom have been on the scene quite awhile now. Their latest album, The Pale Haunt Departure, is sure to satisfy long time fans with its hefty riffs and plodding rhythms.
"One word review: Hefty." The band hasn't done anything all that different with this release, but it's also not just par for the course, either. The band sound crushingly heavy in many of the songs, and the band even picks up the pace and the aggression at times. And while this is all within the general sound we'd expect from these guys, it does show another facet of their personality.
The album is produced very well, with a guitar sound that could split marble. The songs are well-written and enjoyable, and never overstay their welcome. While this band is largely referred to as a 'doom' act, I've always thought of them more in league with Opeth. The way their acoustic passages give way to primal, languishing, and distorted licks shows a skill for flow and atmosphere. The band goes from good to great during these more aggressive parts, which often utilize simple but effective riffs that betray sorrow and angst.
It's possible that this album would've ranked only a 3 skull score from me, but the songs "Dark World Burden" and "In The Absence Of Grace" are worth the price of the disc alone. They promote this record from solid to awesome. One word review: Hefty.
Death's Review:
I now know that I've never paid Novembers Doom the attention they've deserved in the past. After listening to The Pale Haunt Departure, the only question left for me is whether or not they have always been this good or if this album is just that much better than the band's prior work. This album screams quality and depth before you even put it in the player. From the title, to the packaging, to the production (mixed by Dan Swano, mastered by James Murphy), the lyrics, the riffs and the performance, this album deserves nothing less than five skulls. And it caught me by surprise. I did not know how good this was going to be, which obviously makes discovering the album even that much more fun. The comparisons to Opeth and Katatonia are apt, emotionally and with respect to the integrity of the music as much as surface-level sonic similarity. The vocals on this album are fantastically performed, with brutality that strikes fear and lyrics you can understand. Everyone in the metal scene should hear this, and I expect this album to increase the profile of Novembers Doom dramatically. The press sheet says there are plans to tour the U.S., and trust me, if this band plays this material well in the live setting, it will do wonders for the fanbase. With apologies to Abyss, there's only one way to end this review. One word review: Bravo.
"This album screams quality and depth before you even put it in the player."
Hel's Review:
Oh my. I’d definitely forgotten what Novembers Doom sounded like. I remember I liked them, but that was about it, since a lot of metal has passed through my ears over the almost five years that have passed since The Knowing graced my player. Yikes. I obviously haven’t listened to it since then. I really regret that now. And how did I miss To Welcome the Fade? In light of this new album, I’m finding all of this incredibly upsetting.
"The Pale Haunt Departure is a strong contender for best album of 2005." The Pale Haunt Departure is an amazing album. Every aspect of this recording is remarkable, from the performances to the songwriting to the production. The songs manage to be catchy, atmospheric and heavy all at once. The mood within them shifts and spins in a most enthralling manner. I have been listening to this constantly over the last week and I keep wanting to hear it again. Only the best albums provoke this kind of jones.
I have yet to throw down the gauntlet in support of an album for the top ten yet this year, and now I have found my candidate. The Pale Haunt Departure is a strong contender for best album of 2005. Novembers Doom have returned to stake their claim as one of the most exciting American bands no one has heard of yet. I’m rooting for that to change, and soon.
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