I just saw an interview the other day with John Oates, and when asked if he thought he’d ever reunite with Daryl Hall, he said he didn’t it would be a good idea because they could not recapture that magic. It made me thankful that so many of the metal pioneers are staying at it, putting out strong music, and continuing to dominate the stage.
Chicago metal legends Novembers Doom have been going at it for 36 years now, and good thing this institution has remained standing and strong, as evidenced by their 12th album “Major Arcana.” Taking influence from tarot (the album title and some of the song titles should make that apparent) and divination, the band—vocalist Paul Kuhr, guitarists Larry Roberts and Vito Marchese, bassist Mike Feldman, drummer Garry Naples—delivers a powerful performance, mixing doom, goth rock, and death metal into 10 cuts that keep you fully engaged. Ben Johnson also provides keyboards on all tracks, and Kuhr’s daughter Rhiannon provides backing vocals on three tracks. This is a legendary band operating at the top of their game, and this album is a morbid force from front to back.
“June” is a frosty opener despite its title, piano dripping as cold singing laments damage caused by the month in question, leading to the title track that trudges with might. This piece has a lot going on, and it’s one you have to follow down several pathways. “How long have I been gone?” Kuhr wonders as the light and dark push and pull, bleeding through sorrow and pain, grim singing and growling pushing into the distance. “Ravenous” pummels, the howls gutting, the chorus mauling as Kuhr wails, “I will devour you and leave nothing to chance.” The battering continues as subtle organs lather, guitars unload, and the heat increases, nastiness sinking in its teeth as the final rampage settles. “Mercy” is more vulnerable, cold winds and clean singing sending chills, wrenching every ounce of your sympathetic nerves. “Please hold me until I’m gone,” Kuhr pleads, the guitars engulfing as moodiness spikes and strings glaze over a dramatic finish. “The Dance” has blurring keys and an autumnal blaze, gothy singing pouring molasses, Kuhr stating over the chorus, “It’s time to vanish without a trace.” The growl dig in, the playing stirring smoke and blackness which leaves a thick film.
“The Fool” is fiery, growls mauling, a deathly attack headed right for the guts as a lover’s betrayal hangs in the balance, Kuhr calling, “You gave it away.” The playing drubs as the guitars encircle, blistering with harsh intent, scorn flowing through veins. “Bleed Static” runs 8 minutes and is clean and rhythmic out front, creaky speaking gnawing on bone, Kuhr urging, “I won’t survive this, save me.” The playing is sorrowful and rich, clean guitars trickling before taking off, soloing melting metal. The vocals then wash in echo, the chorus pulls back and thickens the shadow, and defeat slowly merges with the blistering static. “Chatter” has guitars churning and gruff singing, the chorus leaving bruises both physically and mentally. “I’m so desperate, I believe all your lies,” Kuhr levels, the playing bashing heads together, the endless pain creating a like-minded ghost with which to commiserate. “Dusking Day” enters amid cold keys before detonating, getting grislier as the playing carries on, gothy singing paying more weight to the misery and neglect. A blazing push guides the blade between your ribs, the growls throttle, and the final blows blacken eyes. Closer “XXII” is wash in Armageddon, a dark, foreboding final chapter that walks into blurring guitars and sinister howls. “In the shadow of a dying star, echoes of the final sun,” Kuhr wails, guitars blazing, the mouth of eternity gaping, everything fading into ash.
“Major Arcana” is another heavy chapter in Novembers Doom’s more than three decades of metallic devastation, again proving their might and resolve in a physically and mentally battered world. There is no shortage of inspiration for these guys, and they seem as channeled and powerful as ever, with these 10 tracks standing as evidence. This band has nothing left to prove, which has been the case for a long time. But they don’t see it that way, and their art pushes boundaries and refuses to be anything but volcanic.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/NovembersDoom1989
To buy the album, go here: http://lnk.spkr.media/novembersdoom-arcana
For more on the label, go here: https://en.prophecy.de/
Meat Mead Metal 