Celebrating 20 years in existence, Chicago’s Novembers Doom have always delivered. Starting their career in gothic/death/doom, this band has cultivated a sound and veered their career to new levels in recent years. The balance of straightforward death metal and the bands signature discouragement has been perfected in the past two releases and Into Nights Requiem Infernal is yet another solid release form what I’ve always considered an underrated act.
Since 2007’s The Novella Reservoir, not a whole lot has changed. The band is still aiming for a deeper aggression and abandoning their slow plodding riffs from earlier in their career. Before, November’s Doom sounded afflicted and lamentable and was one of the few American acts to grasp the sound of the European doom masters My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Anathema. What the band has harnessed in recent years is more bold and resilient, demanding attention, yet keeping a firm melodic base, and never completely abandoning their roots.
The opener and title track “Into Night’s Requiem Infernal,” is a no-frills death metal driver that is reminiscent of Bloodbath. Things progress and the records abstract nature starts to show on “A Eulogy for the Living Lost.” Energetic and brutal “Lazarus Regret” slams right back into the death metal a la Edge of Sanity and marks one of the angriest songs the band has ever done. Honestly, this record in general is the most furious thing I think the band has done.
Guitarist Larry Roberts shines on Into Nights Requiem Infernal with solos unlike anything we have heard from the band before. Tastefully written and executed, fret work like this is icing on the cake. The guitar work shines throughout this disc with excellent song structures, breaking from distortion to clean numerous times, and allowing Paul Kuhr to utilize is immense vocal abilities as he switches from death gutturals to clean tones. Paul is a powerful and underestimated vocalist.
“When Desperation Fills the Void” is a classic sorrowful ballad with clean vocals that we have come to expect from this band and ends this record on a crushing death doom note. The last minute of this record is well worth the listen.
Into the Nights Requiem Infernal is a very good album. There is so much to like about this bands discography that I can only say it is better than The Novella Reservoir. Fans of the band will not be disappointed. If you have never taken the time to listen to Novembers Doom this is a great time to start.
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heh, Shane, your reviews are becoming my favorite to read. In light of this record, the band’s earlier material really IS lamentable, as their new sound is definitely a vast improvement in style. I like the more aggressive approach.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 12:46Great review of a great album, though I couldn’t quite get into the last track – I think they sound so much better as a heavier band, but the mid album ballad is pretty good.
on Jul 15th, 2009 at 22:07One of the best American metal bands, their last two albums were just outstanding, I haven’t heard this one yet, but I am sure it will kick arse as well.
Thanks for the review!!!
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 07:15Hey thanks Timshel.
on Jul 16th, 2009 at 08:36Yeah dude, that was a great review for a great CD.
on Aug 13th, 2009 at 18:09what its like … havin a RONI
on Jan 7th, 2011 at 15:42