NOVEMBERS DOOM

Nephilim Grove PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS

Chicago’s death/doom veterans add more melody to their misery

With a name like Novembers Doom, it doesn’t make much sense for the long-running death/ doom act to release an album in any other month, really. Nephilim Grove continues to expand upon the melodicism and prog metal elements that have become gradually more evident in their music since around 2014’s Bled White. Most noticeable is the increased amount of clean vocals from founding member Paul Kuhr and how memorable they are here. This is his most varied vocal performance yet, particularly when it comes to the hooks he has written, which match the often extensive arrangements. Interestingly, it appears as though Kuhr has been paying close attention to Mastodon and Ghost’s respective phrasing for hooks and how they layer melodies, and the introduction of that more mainstream-baiting element works well with Dan Swanö’s pristine production. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Daylight Dies, Swallow the Sun, Mastodon

DEAN BROWN