The current lineup of Novelists consists of Florestan Durand on guitar, Amael Durand on drums, Nicolas Delestrade on bass guitar, and Pierre Danel on guitar, who joined the band in 2021. Previously, Charles-Henri Teule served as a guitarist from 2013 to 2018, while Matteo Gelsomino was the lead vocalist from 2013 to 2020, later replaced by Tobias Rische from 2020 to 2023.
Novelists was formed in 2013 by brothers Amael and Florestan Durand. They were soon joined by Matteo Gelsomino, Nicolas Delestrade, and Charles-Henri Teule, following the dissolution of their previous band, A Call to Sincerity. In April 2014, the band released a demo featuring six songs. In July 2015, they signed with the record label Arising Empire, and in November of that year, their debut studio album, "Souvenirs," was released.
The band gained further recognition in June 2017 when they released the single "The Light, the Fire" and embarked on a tour with While She Sleeps and Northlane. Shortly after, they signed with SharpTone Records and released their second studio album, "Noir," in September 2017. Novelists continued their musical journey and released their third studio album, titled "C'est La Vie," in January 2020.
In April 2020, the band announced the departure of Matteo Gelsomino as the vocalist and initiated an online audition process to find a replacement. In October 2020, Tobias Rische, formerly of Alazka, was unveiled as the new vocalist. The band also signed with Out of Line Music in November 2020 and released the single "Lost Cause." They followed it up with two more singles in 2021, namely "Terrorist" and "Do You Really Wanna Know?"
Throughout their career, Novelists has showcased a metalcore sound infused with progressive metal and djent influences. They are recognized for their emphasis on clean vocals rather than screamed vocals, a deviation from traditional metalcore practices.
In 2022, Novelists released two additional singles, "Smoke Signals" and "Heretic," the latter featuring Florian Salfati from the band LANDMVRKS. On April 6, 2023, the band announced Tobias Rische's departure via their Instagram page.
Their fourth album, "Déjà Vu," was released on September 2, 2022, through Out of Line Records. The album introduced Pierre Danel as a permanent guitarist and showcased Novelists' penchant for accessible, pop-oriented approaches to heavy music. The album's songwriting demonstrated the band's ability to craft memorable hooks and satisfying choruses, with occasional mellow guitar passages adding depth to their sound.
On 6 April 2023, Novelists announced on their Instagram page that Rische had left the band. In September, it was announced that Camille Contreras was taking over vocal duties
2. Novelists is a music collective from Thompson, Canada. The collective consists of Alex King (vocals, percussions), Dollah 69 (vocals, guitars, keys) and Papyrus (vocals, keys, percussions, bass) and Sean Sean (keys).
Souvenirs
Novelists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i know i can't define this life
i know you can't see through these answers i'm seeking for are way too deep to be found
My life's reflected through the wet film of my eyes (my eyes)
I've been betraying the kid that I was.
Do you think this life really deserves an anthem?
It reminds me when I was younger and useless.
My heart beats, covered in bruises.
I saw this room slowly turn to a coffin.
As locked in, but I'm not dead yet.
I did my best to show you that i've been changing,
and what I've been through to see clearly through myself.
through myself.
I was such a mess before this
I don't miss it, no, I don't miss it.
My heart has braced itself.
I'll set this world in check,
I finaly found myself.
I've got my dreams and all my memories in my head.
I don't wanna be the one who can live without this.
All that I can see is the distance since these days.
I wouldn't recognize myself without the mess of what I've done with my life
I will never let you define my way of.life.
I thought we've been watching the same sun but we're way too far to finally feel warmed.
this is my time to speak
this is the time to forgive.
I've been betraying the kid that I was.
Do you think this life really deserves an anthem?
I didn't think the show would last so long
Though it should last forever now.
I was seeking for this,
having a chance to speak to try to feel better.
I see your face when your eyes are staring back at me.
I can fake it, it's not as hard as it seems with the detachment the drug brings
I've got these dreams to stand for,
got my voice to speak
despite the lies around me now
but this bitter taste that they're leaving won't let me feel anything. (delay feel anything)
It reminds me when I was younger and useless.
My heart beats, covered in bruises.
I saw this room slowly turn to a coffin.
As locked in, but I'm not dead yet.
I did my best to show you that i've been changing.
and what I've been through
to see clearly through myself.
through myself.
I was such a mess before this
I don't miss it, no, I don't miss it.
My heart has braced itself.
I'll set this world in check,
I finally found myself.
I've got my dreams and all my memories in my head.
I don't wanna be the one who can live without this.
All that i can see is the distance since these days.
I wouldn't recognize myself without the mess of what I've done with my life
The lyrics of "Souvenirs" by Novelists delve into the introspective journey of the singer as he struggles to come to terms with the mess of his past and navigate his way through the present. The song talks about the complexity of life and the search for answers that seem too deep to be found. The singer has grown up and betrayed the kid that he was, but he is not dead yet. He realizes that he has to change and seek a better version of himself to see through himself clearly. He has been changing and wants to be appreciated for that.
The song is also about the power of memories and how they define who we are. The singer has his dreams and memories in his head, and he does not want to live without them. He reminisces about the times when he was younger and helpless and how he has come a long way since then. He set the world in check and finally found himself. The song ends on a hopeful note where the singer is determined to find his voice and speak despite the lies around him.
Overall, "Souvenirs" is a deeply personal and insightful song that talks about the struggles of growing up, changing, and coming to terms with the messiness of life.
Line by Line Meaning
i know i can't define this life
My life is complex and cannot be easily understood or explained.
i know you can't see through these answers i'm seeking for are way too deep to be found
The solutions to my problems are difficult to find and may never be found.
My life's reflected through the wet film of my eyes (my eyes)
My life is seen through my own emotional and personal experiences.
I've been betraying the kid that I was.
I have been neglecting or ignoring the innocent and carefree child that I used to be.
Do you think this life really deserves an anthem?
Is my life worthy of recognition or celebration through music?
I've been changing
I have been evolving and growing as a person.
It reminds me when I was younger and useless.
This situation brings back memories of when I felt powerless and inadequate.
My heart beats, covered in bruises.
My heart is heavy and hurting from past emotional wounds.
I saw this room slowly turn to a coffin.
This place or situation feels suffocating and depressing.
As locked in, but I'm not dead yet.
I feel confined and trapped, but I am still alive and fighting.
I did my best to show you that i've been changing,
I have been trying to demonstrate my personal growth and development to others.
and what I've been through to see clearly through myself.
My past experiences have helped me to understand myself and see things more clearly.
I was such a mess before this
I was in a state of chaos and confusion before this situation occurred.
I don't miss it, no, I don't miss it.
I do not miss my previous chaotic state of being.
My heart has braced itself.
My heart has prepared itself to face future challenges and difficulties.
I'll set this world in check,
I will take control of my life and make sure things go the way I want them to.
I finaly found myself.
I have discovered my true identity and purpose in life.
I've got my dreams and all my memories in my head.
My aspirations and past experiences are always on my mind.
I don't wanna be the one who can live without this.
I do not want to exist without my dreams and memories.
All that I can see is the distance since these days.
I can only see the time that has passed since those previous experiences.
I wouldn't recognize myself without the mess of what I've done with my life
My past mistakes and challenges have shaped who I am today, and without them, I would not be the same person.
I will never let you define my way of.life.
I will not allow others to dictate how I choose to live my life.
I thought we've been watching the same sun but we're way too far to finally feel warmed.
Even though we may be experiencing similar situations, we are too distant to truly relate to each other.
this is my time to speak
I am ready to express myself and be heard.
this is the time to forgive.
It is time to let go of past grudges and move forward.
I didn't think the show would last so long
I did not expect my struggles to extend for such a long time.
Though it should last forever now.
Despite its difficulty, I am prepared to endure this situation indefinitely.
I was seeking for this,
I have been searching for a solution or resolution to my struggles.
having a chance to speak to try to feel better.
Being able to express myself and share my experiences will help me to heal and feel better.
I see your face when your eyes are staring back at me.
When I look at you, I am reminded of the pain and struggles I have faced.
I can fake it, it's not as hard as it seems with the detachment the drug brings
I can pretend to be okay and handle my struggles by using drugs to numb my emotions.
I've got these dreams to stand for,
I have aspirations and goals that I am working towards.
got my voice to speak
I have the ability to express myself and speak my truth.
despite the lies around me now
Even though there may be deception and dishonesty around me, I will not let it discourage me.
but this bitter taste that they're leaving won't let me feel anything. (delay feel anything)
Despite my best efforts, the negative influence of others is making it difficult for me to feel any positive emotions.
Contributed by Jordyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@glenmuise1184
This band has great depth. Just about every song, has the perfect mixture, of clean, with GREAT SCREAM VOCAL RANGE!!!
No offense, to the new vocalists.
Both singers, can litterally reach, unbelievable vocal ranges. Both singers, are MAGNIFICENT TALENTS.
To me, Vocalist Matteo Gelsomino, is an unbelievable singer.
As well as, Tobias Rische.
Please, Please....... If, its in the plans, for the band?
I am begging the band.
To at least, think about, and hopefully adding a tour performance STOP, in the AUSTIN, TEXAS AREA.
Making a tour stop here.
Would, be the last goal for my " BUCKET LIST ".
But, I'm not near that old yet. I'm not afraid, to get back in the mosh pit.
And show these Youngsters, how its done. Thank you Guys, and all the band. For staying True, to your fans
@Novelists
THANK YOU guys for the million !
@dxniellinke1799
Saw you at Weinheim. Sick show. First i thought your vocalist were the old vocalist of Northlane haha... hope to see you guys another time here in germany
@robertradford7393
NovelistsMusic when you coming to the states
@poovm4934
you're welcome ! great music and love the new album .❤
@djentaman7009
NovelistsMusic I guess touring does help with exposure? idk but I’m happy because you guys NEED TO COME TO USA PLEASEEE
@Sam-jy5tf
NovelistsMusic thanks, just discovered this song after losing my best friend to a drug psychosis and I'm shattered... it calms me to think of this as his farewell letter I never got.
@cheefpoker
This....this a reminder why Matteo was the best thing for this band. I respect the members, but my god, how special you were.....
@pete6974
Lead guitarist deserves a lot of credit for all the stunning, melodic solos in many of the novelists tracks. He has 80's blood in him for sure.
@milkman2266
Souvenirs is one of the greatest albums of all time. It holds a firm top spot in my personal favorites. Unreal the level of depth the whole album has. Beautiful Melodies, crunchy djenty riffs, passionate harsh vocals and angelic cleans, Compelling lyrics and incredible pacing and diversity across the songs.
@levilively8643
Crazy how far they've fallen (imo) since Mateo left. Souvenirs and Noir are in my top 10 favorite albums, ever. Now they're pretty trash