Novembre
Dreams D'Azur

Release Date: 2002 | Tracklist

Novembre is an Italian progressive metal band whose name is often associated with ethereal, melancholic, yet heavy music. Their somewhat gothic brand of extreme metal has a somewhat large European following it seems, but still this band remains slightly underrated and unheard of in the American metal scene. When they released their opus aptly titled “Classica” their sound was a very well mixed concoction of death/doom and melodic metal. Fast forward to “Dreams d’Azur”, released in 2002 and one of the most underrated, atmospheric, and grandiose records of it’s time.

Originally mixed by the legendary Dan Swano, this album was set up for success, however many to this day are displeased with the outcome of the mix, and for that reason the band released a re-recording, that surpasses the previous one in nearly every way. I would highly recommend picking up this newer version, as the previous mix did somewhat detract from this album’s intricately masterful weave of guitar, clean and growled vocals, and one of the most unnoticed and underrated drumming performances in metal by Giuseppe Orlando, one of the band’s longest standing members.

Getting into the tracks on this darkly melodic beast of an album, I have to state that the outro to the track “Novembre” is one of the greatest things I have heard in a long time. Atmospheric keyboard and beautiful guitar work make for an almost gut wrenchingly beautiful end to a perfect song. Another key track is “Swim Seagull In the Sky” coming in with an almost silly sounding title, but showing its true colors as a building, momentous, and progressive monolith of melodic death metal. One of the greatest things about this album is how it manages to progress in a way that is seamless and subtle but epic all at once. The clean vocals on this record are not as impressive as the harsh, almost blackened wails, but they serve their purpose and are by no means distracting/grating (especially compared to the original recording). One moment the listener is hearing a melodic, well composed guitar solo, and the next blast beats and tremolo guitars form a wall of sound that is as atmospheric as it is punishing.

The two most “progressive” tracks found here are all fantastic in their own right, and each bring something different to the table. Marea (Parts 1,2, and 3) is the longest, and definitely the least seamless, but each section is fantastic and worth hearing. The aforementioned “Swim Seagull in the Sky” is assuredly the highlight of this album, and coming to a close second is the melodic black metal masterpiece “Sirens in Filth” showing off an amazing riffs and blackened vocals coupled with chilling lyrics describing various falls from grace. Ending the album is the acoustic “Christal” with whispered vocals and some very evocative guitar work. Closing this 70 minute beast of an album is not an easy task, and instead of going out with a bang, Novembre ends on a beautiful decrescendo, completing an almost flawless task and granting the listener respite and calm. Exceptionally yet sombrely executed, and underrated as well, this album will go down as one of the greatest Gothic Metal records, right alongside “Wildhoney” and “Wolfheart”, and it certainly stands above the latter of these two.

Key Tracks:
Sirens in Filth
Novembre
Swim Seagull In the Sky
Old Lighthouse Tale

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4.1 excellent

Rank: #0 for 2002