Know how that one NFL team is called the Cleveland Browns, but their uniforms aren't brown? Or that British comedy show was called Monty Python, but there was no snake in the show, python or otherwise? Well, this is sort of the same thing. NOVEMBER'S DOOM are a Chicago band that doesn't really play doom, at least not traditional doom or the kind we breed here in Mary-land hon. If you really, really squint, there are some thin traces of early PARADISE LOST in there somewhere, but straight-up doomdeath it sure ain't.

NOVEMBERS DOOM has a huge drum sound. In fact, the production budget must have been pretty massive for this project. Their song structures and arrangements recall progressive or modern guitar metal bands like NEVERMORE or OPETH, played at a slower tempo. The main problem with "The Novella Reservoir" is this is just not a very good set of songs. The opener, "Rain" is a totally bitchin' straight-ahead death metal number. It's promising, but as the disc progresses it becomes obvious that the band is stuck in second gear. The acoustic transitions lack deft arrangement and melodic fire. Lyrics like "I close my eyes and angels die" come off sounding very trite. All the soaring orchestration in the world can't make "The Voice of Failure" or "They Were Left to Die" memorable. Despite the obvious talent of the band and mammoth production, "The Novella Reservoir" represents a strange bump in the road for The End Records.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.novembersdoom.com

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