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THE PALE HAUNT DEPARTURE - FAN reviews
- Thread starter Novembers Paul
- Start date
ScientistOfDarkness
a prophet in cosmology
From Samantha:
As of last Tuesday, I finally have "The Pale Haunt Departure" in my greedy hands. While it was awesome getting it early, I think I'll wind up purchasing the album anyway. This copy is going to get worn out. You guys know me, and know I'm no musical authority or reviewer. I am a metal fan and incredibly honest, so I give you my thoughts.
It might take a while to finally listen to the latest Novembers Doom. Get past staring at the dark and wonderfully desolate artwork of Attila Kis. Different for each song throughout the album (the ones for "Through a Child's Eyes" and "Collapse of the Falling Throe" being my favorites) they really stand out, yet compliment the lyrics printed over each page. Well done on the booklet, guys - beautiful.
With the title track being the perfect opener, "The Pale Haunt Departure" ensures you're in for a hell of an album. Being a fan of heavier music in general, this delivers with a bang. Tight guitars courtesy of Larry and Vito, and stellar drumming from apparent part machine Joe (seriously awesome work there). New heights reached with Paul's vocals on this one, growls are top notch here. Following is "Swallowed By The Moon". Above all, read the lyrics to this one. Now read them again. Paul wants us all to weep until hearts actually break into tiny little pieces. You're not going to forget this one for the sheer brilliance of it, or the fact that it made you cry in front of everyone. "Autumn Reflection" follows, starting out with soft, beautiful guitar that eventually gives way to a haunting, near sensual sounding voice. Yep, same guy that was growling like a demon a couple of songs ago. Guitars rising, the song becomes more driving and urgent, then fading into the smooth melancholy of earlier. Yet the lyrics are hopeful and touching ...at the bottom it reads "For Rhiannon". This one I really look forward to hearing live one day. I remember a song my father wrote for me when I was younger. It was called "turn that fucking music down and take out the trash". Not quite the same. "Dark World Burden" fools you into thinking you need to turn it up at the beginning, starting out low and oh so melodic. Then the metalness that is Novembers Doom slaps you in the face with some incredible and heavy guitar work. Larry and Vito, I feel like I owe you guys one for the sheer badassness here. "I live in a dark world...." those lines right there are damn catchy and headbanging inducing. Then check out the ending Dan Swano solo! It goes perfectly with the song, and it's Dan freakin' Swano. If you're following the tracks with the booklet and lyrics, right now you're on the band photo. Check out those sexy men! "In The Absence of Grace" takes over next with a "oh how lovely" guitar opening, then the demon vocals taking over again, with Paul and his vocals completely owning you. Perfectly heavy with some interesting guitar work throughout. Check out about 3:12 into the song, it's shiver worthy. Then wait for about 3:50 for yet another THIS IS AWESOME! moment. "The Dead Leaf Echo" begins with a totally different sound, and some more "I love Vito and Larry!" guitar moments. The "Far away from your warmth..." bit has simply ethereal vocals, more goosebumps. Vertigo makes me sick too, Paul. Next, "Through a Child's Eyes" begins so simply, with acoustic guitar and a child's laughter. Lyrically, this song is one of the most touching on the album. It should have meaning to everyone that listens. If not, you're obviously heartless. Closing with "Collapse of the Falling Throe", Novembers Doom is wonderfully all over the place with the ending song. Brutal and heavy with growls, spoken passages, and a delicate acoustic guitar ...it slowly fades away, and the album is over.
All in all, great job guys. Really, you deserve a lot of recognition and respect for this. As a fan, I am very pleased and VERY much looking forward to hearing some of the album played live. Congratulations on a truly wonderful album. When you get all famous and need a personal hair dresser, remember me.
As of last Tuesday, I finally have "The Pale Haunt Departure" in my greedy hands. While it was awesome getting it early, I think I'll wind up purchasing the album anyway. This copy is going to get worn out. You guys know me, and know I'm no musical authority or reviewer. I am a metal fan and incredibly honest, so I give you my thoughts.
It might take a while to finally listen to the latest Novembers Doom. Get past staring at the dark and wonderfully desolate artwork of Attila Kis. Different for each song throughout the album (the ones for "Through a Child's Eyes" and "Collapse of the Falling Throe" being my favorites) they really stand out, yet compliment the lyrics printed over each page. Well done on the booklet, guys - beautiful.
With the title track being the perfect opener, "The Pale Haunt Departure" ensures you're in for a hell of an album. Being a fan of heavier music in general, this delivers with a bang. Tight guitars courtesy of Larry and Vito, and stellar drumming from apparent part machine Joe (seriously awesome work there). New heights reached with Paul's vocals on this one, growls are top notch here. Following is "Swallowed By The Moon". Above all, read the lyrics to this one. Now read them again. Paul wants us all to weep until hearts actually break into tiny little pieces. You're not going to forget this one for the sheer brilliance of it, or the fact that it made you cry in front of everyone. "Autumn Reflection" follows, starting out with soft, beautiful guitar that eventually gives way to a haunting, near sensual sounding voice. Yep, same guy that was growling like a demon a couple of songs ago. Guitars rising, the song becomes more driving and urgent, then fading into the smooth melancholy of earlier. Yet the lyrics are hopeful and touching ...at the bottom it reads "For Rhiannon". This one I really look forward to hearing live one day. I remember a song my father wrote for me when I was younger. It was called "turn that fucking music down and take out the trash". Not quite the same. "Dark World Burden" fools you into thinking you need to turn it up at the beginning, starting out low and oh so melodic. Then the metalness that is Novembers Doom slaps you in the face with some incredible and heavy guitar work. Larry and Vito, I feel like I owe you guys one for the sheer badassness here. "I live in a dark world...." those lines right there are damn catchy and headbanging inducing. Then check out the ending Dan Swano solo! It goes perfectly with the song, and it's Dan freakin' Swano. If you're following the tracks with the booklet and lyrics, right now you're on the band photo. Check out those sexy men! "In The Absence of Grace" takes over next with a "oh how lovely" guitar opening, then the demon vocals taking over again, with Paul and his vocals completely owning you. Perfectly heavy with some interesting guitar work throughout. Check out about 3:12 into the song, it's shiver worthy. Then wait for about 3:50 for yet another THIS IS AWESOME! moment. "The Dead Leaf Echo" begins with a totally different sound, and some more "I love Vito and Larry!" guitar moments. The "Far away from your warmth..." bit has simply ethereal vocals, more goosebumps. Vertigo makes me sick too, Paul. Next, "Through a Child's Eyes" begins so simply, with acoustic guitar and a child's laughter. Lyrically, this song is one of the most touching on the album. It should have meaning to everyone that listens. If not, you're obviously heartless. Closing with "Collapse of the Falling Throe", Novembers Doom is wonderfully all over the place with the ending song. Brutal and heavy with growls, spoken passages, and a delicate acoustic guitar ...it slowly fades away, and the album is over.
All in all, great job guys. Really, you deserve a lot of recognition and respect for this. As a fan, I am very pleased and VERY much looking forward to hearing some of the album played live. Congratulations on a truly wonderful album. When you get all famous and need a personal hair dresser, remember me.
Dragon_Unearthed
Tattooed by darkness
OK, I just saw the video for "The Pale Haunt Departure"...and it is smashing....and the song is wicked gritty...I love it! I cant wait to get the whole CD in the mail...pure joy!
OPETH_DT
Member
OPETH_DT
Member
Dragon_Unearthed
Tattooed by darkness
Well, ok...I am no expert, but here is my take on "The Pale Haunt Departure"...this is a little different of a review, so please be patient...haha!
I wake up extremely hungry...so I hop in the car and head out to a local breakfast buffet.
When I walk in, I can gather all the smells, the syrups, the toasts, the bacon.....
I go to the buffet and cannot decide what I want, because it all looks sooooo damn good. I grab one of everything....
When I get to my table, I cannot decide where to start, so I start with a big swig of orange juice (The Pale Haunt Departure)....the coolness engulfs my mouth, and I swallow the coldness, and can feel it travel all the way down and coat my stomach...
I then devour a sausage pattie (Swallowed by the Moon), and its spiciness makes my tongue tingle with pleasure...
Next comes the slices of canteloupe (Autumn Reflection). The fruit is in perfect ripeness, and the juices are sweeter than I have ever tasted...
Moving on to the rye toast (Dark World Buren), the hearty seeds with melted butter brings me back to a time fishing in a desolate stream upon the onset of dawn...
I then take hold of the scrambled eggs (In the Absence of Grace), and crack a smile thinking that the egg was once the child of a hen...
I down a bloody mary (The Dead Leaf Echo), and cannot stop at one sip...take it all at once, and let its potion work its way into my brain...
Next comes the pancake (Through a Child's Eyes), its light, fluffy, and airy, and brings out the kid in all of us, especially when smothered with strawberries and pure maple syrup...
Finally, the hot brew of black coffee (Collapse of the Fallen Throe), its dark roast leaves a bitterness in my mouth to take with me...
I sit back and think that I am a still a tick hungry, yearning for more. But I know that my hunger has be fulfilled, and that it is gonna be a good day!
Well done guys, well done!
I wake up extremely hungry...so I hop in the car and head out to a local breakfast buffet.
When I walk in, I can gather all the smells, the syrups, the toasts, the bacon.....
I go to the buffet and cannot decide what I want, because it all looks sooooo damn good. I grab one of everything....
When I get to my table, I cannot decide where to start, so I start with a big swig of orange juice (The Pale Haunt Departure)....the coolness engulfs my mouth, and I swallow the coldness, and can feel it travel all the way down and coat my stomach...
I then devour a sausage pattie (Swallowed by the Moon), and its spiciness makes my tongue tingle with pleasure...
Next comes the slices of canteloupe (Autumn Reflection). The fruit is in perfect ripeness, and the juices are sweeter than I have ever tasted...
Moving on to the rye toast (Dark World Buren), the hearty seeds with melted butter brings me back to a time fishing in a desolate stream upon the onset of dawn...
I then take hold of the scrambled eggs (In the Absence of Grace), and crack a smile thinking that the egg was once the child of a hen...
I down a bloody mary (The Dead Leaf Echo), and cannot stop at one sip...take it all at once, and let its potion work its way into my brain...
Next comes the pancake (Through a Child's Eyes), its light, fluffy, and airy, and brings out the kid in all of us, especially when smothered with strawberries and pure maple syrup...
Finally, the hot brew of black coffee (Collapse of the Fallen Throe), its dark roast leaves a bitterness in my mouth to take with me...
I sit back and think that I am a still a tick hungry, yearning for more. But I know that my hunger has be fulfilled, and that it is gonna be a good day!
Well done guys, well done!
WhiteBeastofWotan
Apostitutes!
hahaha thats awesome
All i can say is that the breakfast... i mean album better be waiting for me when i get back from school today
All i can say is that the breakfast... i mean album better be waiting for me when i get back from school today
MetalNations
Member
I feel that this release is your best release ever. Total devastating doom, it is real slow-dark-deep-aggressive that it makes all other doom bands seem whimpy.
DEADHEART
The Bringer Has Come
Greetings all. John here from Eden's Fall. I had the pleasure of going to the listening party for the new ND album and was pretty much floored by it! I love the fact that the band has no problem stepping outside their genre musically. Weather it's slow/clean, slow/heavy, or fast and brutal it's all ND! It is a big accomplishment when a band can incorporate different styles into thier writing and still keep the overall feel of what the band is all about.
Production wise the album is flawless. But that is no surprise when you use the best. James Murphy and Dan Swano out did themselves.
I live in the same town as ND so I've gotten to meet and talk to the guy's. And to put it simply they are the coolest, most down to earth people you could imagine. They deserve some serious praise for thier perseverance and the release of such a great album.
John "Deadheart" Barr
EDEN'S FALL
Production wise the album is flawless. But that is no surprise when you use the best. James Murphy and Dan Swano out did themselves.
I live in the same town as ND so I've gotten to meet and talk to the guy's. And to put it simply they are the coolest, most down to earth people you could imagine. They deserve some serious praise for thier perseverance and the release of such a great album.
John "Deadheart" Barr
EDEN'S FALL
BalanceofPower
My god,it's full of stars
DEADHEART said:
Hey John thanks for the kind words! Always a pleasure to chill with you and the guys. Everybody should check out John's band, Eden's Fall. They rock hard and are true fucking metal.
Had to go give my review for The Pale Haunt Departure on Amazon UK which has been published today. Hope I did it justice though the 1000 word limit just wouldn't cut it if I was to say everything I wanted too. Here it is:
Hey Cath, thanks for that review! It's great! I'm glad we made a CD good enough to you that pushed you to write about it! You did it Justice! 
Novembers Paul said:Hey Cath, thanks for that review! It's great! I'm glad we made a CD good enough to you that pushed you to write about it! You did it Justice!
Thanks Paul, my pleasure. Problem is, I only used the word "amazing" three times within two sentences...not nearly enough!
Cath said:Thanks Paul, my pleasure. Problem is, I only used the word "amazing" three times within two sentences...not nearly enough!
We should be in your neck of the woods this October. Make sure you come say hi!
Novembers Paul said:
Paul, that is the most amazingly, wonderful FANTASTIC news. You've really made my day. You bet I'll be saying hi! Have a huge grin on my face now...Thanks... :hotjump:
DEADHEART
The Bringer Has Come
BalanceofPower said:Hey John thanks for the kind words! Always a pleasure to chill with you and the guys. Everybody should check out John's band, Eden's Fall. They rock hard and are true fucking metal.
Just telling the truth! Can't wait until we play some shows together!!!
I got this cd last week, and I've been playing it tons. It's amazing. The only other CD I have by you guys is the rerelease of To Welcome the Fade, and it's pretty good, but this is definitely an improvement. I'm not a very good reviewer, so I'll just say- thanks for the amazing music
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