MATERIA

Novembre

Experimental/Post Metal

3.78 | 45 ratings

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Prog Leviathan
Prog Reviewer

A well-composed and occasionally interesting set of ominous and deep-sounding metal tunes limited in their impact due to a bland, repetative delivery and unremarkable playing.

"Materia" has a dark, brooding feel which persists throughout its length, with excellent dynamics to carry the listener along in a sort of somber boyounacy. The quite moments reverberate with beautiful textures, and the heavy stuff bombards one with slow-tempo, sonic walls of sound. "Materia's" sound isn't nearly as heavy or intense as some of Novembre's metal peers, and is very easy to listen to, but that might not be a good thing in the end. There are many layers to unravel, with the band member's musicinaship coming across as understated (or unambitious). The drummer is the standout member, and plays with an energy and enthusiasm which makes the two guitar players seems almost sedated.

There is a definite pattern to the group's composition which, although generally thoughtful and occasionally cool, repeats on almost every track, making it difficult to distinguish them or remember anything specific. I suppose "Materia's" mood is more important than its highlights, but its perpetual metal roar becomes a chore to get through before too long, and the listener will probably be wondering where the time went. There isn't exactley a "weak track", because there's nothing especially good to compare it to: it's all the same.

Carmelo Orlando's vocals are my final strike against "Materia", and its a pretty big one. He has a tuned-down (as in its pitch), inflectionless, nasaly drone used throughout the album. His range, phrasing, and energy feels exceptionally uninspired, especially since it is very exposed and upfront in most tracks. Some may find a melancholy emotion hidden somewhere within his long-held, tenor drone... but not me.

I like dark metal quite a bit, but Orlando's voice and the blandness of the group's musicianship makes "Materia" just for fans.

Songwriting: 3 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 1 Style/Emotion/Replay: 2

Prog Leviathan | 2/5 | 2009-12-3

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