Review Summary: Visit http://www.myspace.com/novembre1 for some samples
Like anybody who knows Novembre, I discovered them by searching similar band to Opeth. Yes, they have a lot of similarities but THEY'RE NOT A CLONE. In fact their progressive side and they their use of the acoustic/clean guitar is their only big similarities.
Materia is the first full album I've heard from them. And I must admit I was surprised by the quality of this product. Novembre is not the kind of band you can get tired of. Their music is influenced by so many style (Progressive, Death metal, Doom metal, atmospherical music, folk, pop, rock, etc). This album is not including a lot of death metal part. In Fact, it's a melodic prog album.
Verne opened the album with this amazing voice that is so one of a kind. The melodies are driving this song like almost all of the songs. The only thing I didn't like about this album is that some parts seems to have been forced. I Mean the music stops and fade then they start playing something else. It's like a cut/paste thing.
Memoria stoica/Vetro and Aquamarine start basicaly in the same way. Clean guitar with awesome melody. The clean guitar is used in a good way and the tones are rich. They also explore differend kinds of effect and tones so the overall sound never gets boring.
Reason follows and it's probably one of the best song I've heard. The acoustic guitar parts are so amazing, The harmony singing is well done and create an unique kind of vibe. I personnaly thing that this is one of the strongest part of this band. Songs like Aquamarine and The Promise are so well sing that you can feel all of the emotion they've put in those songs.
This album is not a musical skill show-off. I mean they're not playing 32nd notes at 320 bpm and insane double bass. They're just puting some of the best music they can write. They exeperiment a lot and this is a strong point. The promise intro with the synth shows you how to insert weird sound into the best sounding music ever. I like the contrast they've use in Jules with the double bass over clean guitar. It's awesome.
Some songs have harder part. The intro of Comedia is easily the hardest part of the record with the Materia intro. In fact the death metal screaming is not used very often. They seems to use it like a weapon. The ending of Aquamarine and Materia is the best exemple.
I Also have to give them credit for singing in two language. Mainly they sing in english but they incorpored their italian roots in some part.
Highlights:
Reason
Aquamarine
Jules
The Promise
Comedia
Pros:
Awesome melody
Fantastic vibe
Progressive
Cons:
Some parts seems to be forced.
