 November's Doom
 The Pale Haunt Departure
 Review by Mike Korn

November's Doom singer Paul Kuhr disagrees with giving his band the label of "doom metal". While I can see why he feels that way, I must admit that few bands convey a sense of melancholy more than November's Doom. The Chicago based band is hardly what one would call "good time rock and roll". But that doesn't mean that they are not a worthy band. On their new record "The Pale Haunt Departure", they have created something that is both immensely heavy and very poignant and sorrowful at the same time.
The band manages to avoid the quicksand trap that many doom bands fall into...not knowing when to quit. None of the songs here are short, but none of them are those colossal, monolithic ten minute plus monsters that so many doom metal bands favor these days. The songwriting is crisp and focused and the pace of the music not only rises above a snail's pace at times, but it even ventures into the outright aggressive. Contrasting with that are moments of melodic, somber beauty where Kuhr's vocals are more humanising than the barbaric roar he favors at other points. His vocal wizardry is part of what makes "The Pale Haunt Departure" such a mesmerizing listen.
With a superb sound, beautfully artistic packaging, and a boatload of songs heavier than a fleet of dump trucks, November's Doom emerges as one of America's premier bands, whether you consider them "doom" or not.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2005 Year Book Volume 3 at https://garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2005.
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