NOVEMBRE: CLASSICA

SCORE: 91/100

Novembre's second studio album is one that I couldn't help but be curious about - and it's a fine work of heavier doom metal.

This album feels like an excellent introduction to the death doom metal subgenre, with everything coming together very well and the vocals seeming fitting once you realize what the genre is all about. Its a seamless mix of dark, gothic doom metal while incorporating death metal screams and heavy riffs into an album that is a heavy gothic metal lover's paradise.

'Classica' takes a slight hit at first glance due to the vocals seeming like "too much" for the instrumental palate that the album has to offer, but once you adjust, it's an album that you'll be more than able to gawk at. Novembre showcases their talents best in the instrumental department, with the vocals feeling somewhat unsuitable for the style of instrumental that the album has. Once adjusted to the sound of this album and how the vocals feel a lot heavier than the instrumental style of the project, 'Classica' is a gorgeous album that thrives off of its instrumentals.

The usage of instrumentals is top-notch throughout the entirety of this album. The way the instrumentals ride out and take the front end of the project while the vocals serve to elevate it even higher is something that not a lot of albums do - and this album does it particularly well.

It takes a surprisingly soft approach after the heavy first track, and the songs blend softer melodies with heavy edges that make 'Classica' particularly thrilling. It's an incredibly enjoyable album that uses its runtime very well - with each song riding out and building up into something wonderfully worthwhile.

'Classica' is a huge hidden gem that almost feels like a must in the genre, and this is the way to go if you're looking for an introduction to death doom metal. It's all kinds of dark and gloomy with enough rough, jagged edges to make it not feel like it has you in a dim lull, and the way this album is arranged makes it especially impressive.


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