Novembers Doom - Major Arcana - review
Novembers Doom - Major Arcana - review
Tracklist
01. June02. Major Arcana
03. Ravenous
04. Mercy
05. The Dance
06. The Fool
07. Bleed Static
08. Chatter
09. Dusking Day
10. XXII
A review by
AndyMetalFreak September 22, 2025
Novembers Doom are regarded as one of the most influential death doom bands to emerge from the US, along with Evoken. They were founded in Chicago by vocalist Paul Kuhr back in 1989, and have remained an ever-present domineering force on the scene for over 3 decades since. Although their style has evolved and refined somewhat over the years, they've still managed to contain their dark, mystical melancholic signature sound that sets them apart from the crowd. After a lengthy 6-year absence, and following their acclaimed 2019 offering Nephilim Grove, they return to the scene, hoping to continue their reign of high-quality melancholic death doom with their 12th full-length release, Major Arcana.
Although classic 90s death doom is still at the quintet's core, they've also managed to keep things fresh and interesting, introducing gothic, progressive, melodeath, and occasional folk elements, whilst continuing to captivate listeners through passionate performances, richly layered instrumentation, diverse songwriting, and immersive sorrowful soundscapes. Much like the previous few offerings, Major Arcana also follows this route, and in doing so, continuing to develop the dark metal sub-genre, a tag they self describe themselves to be under. Over the course of its hefty 56-minute runtime, Major Arcana follows a conceptual theme that, fitting its name, draws inspiration from tarot, divination, and the occult. It's a dark, atmospheric journey that intends to hit you as hard emotionally as possible, and prove they haven't yet lost their touch even after all these years.
Each song follows a similar structural formula, with the tempo mostly being set as pedestrian slow or moderate pace fitting for death doom, while occasionally switching it up a gear and veering into faster melodeath territory or occasionally introducing light progressive sections. The rhythm is guided by low-toned crushing bass and drums that pummel thunderously, which is occasionally accompanied by melancholic piano passages. The guitars mostly deliver mid-tempo riffs influenced by melodic death metal or slow chugging doom riffs. However, there's nothing really worth taking note of in the riff department as such; instead it's the majestic solos that'll swoop you off your feet, and there's at least one lengthy and memorable solo on each song. The lyrical content is emotionally hard-hitting and personal, delivered exceptionally well through haunting ethereal cleans, passionate wails, and monstrously menacing growls. However, despite how passionately performed or beautifully harmonic the vocals can be, they have a consistently high presence in the mix, and can often feel overpowering ahead of the instrumentation.
Although there's no single song that I can see going down as genuine long-term classic, there's not a single skippable song either; each is expertly crafted to sustain a range of emotions, moody immersive atmospheres, and memorable melodies. Novembers Doom are held by many in similar regard to the likes of My Dying Bride and Saturnus, and through listening to Major Arcana you can really understand why. Their quality has shone throughout their discography, which has stayed true to classic 90s death doom while also doing enough to keep things fresh and exciting. I don't think Major Arcana will go down as band's pinnacle moment (that for me would still be the 2005 classic The Pale Haunt Departure), but the veterans have once again pulled off what can easily be considered a highlight of melodic death doom in 2025.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 7 |
| Originality: | 6 |
| Production: | 7 |
Written on 22.09.2025 by
Written on 22.09.2025 by
An honest review that you don't necessarily have to agree with. Comments
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Great band,underated somehow us death doom lost a bit to Europe bands in new releases n touring.
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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