November is Doom - SLOW : "Abîmes I"

 

This Belgian band is back with their oppressive yet ambient take on funeral doom. I enjoyed their last album, and this one does not stray far from the powerful imprint they left behind on that album, though have perhaps refined their sound. They stay true to what you would expect from this genre, slow like a cloud on a gray winter sky, bringing a cold front in.  The hurdle this band faces is being true to the funeral doom sub-genre while bringing a sense of who they are to the proceedings. They do capture the ambiance, while the roar of the vocals provides the counterpoint which is effective. 

Though by the sprawling second song, this formula is not as effective as the waves of atmosphere begin to deliver the same mood the same way, Upon my second listen to this song I could begin to key on melodic nuances. However is this enough to make this an album that I would return to? With only four songs presented on this album, they need to make each track a unique side to what they do. The eleven-minute length seems to be mainly due to the pace they are playing. The tastefully melodic guitar slow is a cool touch, but I need a little more than that. Considering doom is one of my favorite genres the old "You just don't get it" does work since I am the target demographic. 

The problem is being two and a half minutes into "Abyss" before I realize we have moved on to a new song. They have certainly captured an alluring sound. What they do with that sound to nurture it into songs seems to rest solely on the lingering guitar melody that haunts this song. This does not change with the last song which finds things drifting on the same still waters for over fourteen minutes. Some of the vocals vary in wretchedness, but not glaringly so. Five minutes in things ebb down to provide a slight shift in dynamics with piano taking a more prominent role in the song. I will give this album an 8, as they have captured beautiful sounds, but do not progress with them in the songs to the extent I normally prefer. Instead, the twilight drifting here is a thing of dark wonderment that less demanding fans of funeral doom should enjoy. This drops on Code 666 December 8th.