Novembers Doom - Amid Its Hallowed Mirth

After releasing their latest CD The Novella Reservoir in 2007, the Chicago band Novembers Doom is having a good portion of their back catalog re-released. Their first two CDs are being released now, with their third expected to get the remaster/re-release treatment later this year. The band's first ever DVD is also slated for release sometime in 2008.

Amid Its Hallowed Mirth was Novembers Doom's debut album and originally released in 1995. In addition to the original nine tracks, there are two bonus songs plus the entire four song 1990 "Scabs" demo. Novembers Doom plays slow, majestic doom metal. Thick, downtuned guitars are contrasted by a light, crisp drum sound.

In addition to Paul Kuhr's raspy, death metal vocals, there are also female vocals utilized on some of the songs. It adds a gothy vibe to those tracks, but the band is stronger without them. Novembers Doom's sound has evolved over the years, and its interesting to hear them at the beginning when they were a straight ahead doom metal band. Completists will also dig the bonus tracks, especially the 1990 demo.

(released May 27, 2008 on The End Records)