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.
Souvenirs
Novelists FR 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 Novelists FR's song "Souvenirs" are a poignant reflection of the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The song starts with the realization that life cannot always be defined or answered by seeking, as some questions are too deep to be found. The singer, however, reflects on how his life is a sum of experiences reflected through the wet film of his eyes. He has made mistakes and betrayed his childhood self, but he is not ready to give up yet. He wonders if life really deserves an anthem and if he can make a change.
As the song proceeds, the singer acknowledges the mess he was before and how he does not want to go back there. He has finally found himself after this journey, and he is not willing to let anyone define his way of life. He speaks of the sweet memories of being young and useless that help him remember where he came from. He realizes that the bitterness of his past experiences cannot take away the dreams and memories he has in his head. The song ends with a reflection on how the singer would not recognize himself without the mess of what he has done in life.
Overall, the song speaks of a journey of personal growth and the realization of the importance of one's life in the grand scheme of things. It talks about the desire to find oneself and make a change, despite the hardships encountered along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
i know i can't define this life
My life's reflected through the wet film of my eyes (my eyes)
i know you can't see through these answers i'm seeking for are way too deep to be found
I've been betraying the kid that I was.
Do you think this life really deserves an anthem?
Do you think this life really deserves an anthem?
It reminds me when I was younger and useless.
It reminds me when I was younger and useless.
My heart beats, covered in bruises.
My heart beats, covered in bruises.
I saw this room slowly turn to a coffin.
I saw this room slowly turn to a coffin.
As locked in, but I'm not dead yet.
As locked in, but I'm not dead yet.
I did my best to show you that i've been changing,
I did my best to show you that i've been changing,
and what I've been through to see clearly through myself.
and what I've been through to see clearly through myself.
I was such a mess before this
I was such a mess before this
I don't miss it, no, I don't miss it.
I don't miss it, no, I don't miss it.
My heart has braced itself.
My heart has braced itself.
I'll set this world in check,
I'll set this world in check,
I finaly found myself.
I finally found myself.
I've got my dreams and all my memories in my head.
I've got my dreams and all my memories in my head.
I don't wanna be the one who can live without this.
I don't wanna be the one who can live without this.
All that I can see is the distance since these days.
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 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 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.
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 my time to speak
this is the time to forgive.
This is the time to forgive.
I didn't think the show would last so long
I didn't think the show would last so long
Though it should last forever now.
Though it should last forever now.
I was seeking for this,
I was seeking for this,
having a chance to speak to try to feel better.
having a chance to speak to try to feel better.
I see your face when your eyes are staring back at me.
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 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,
I've got these dreams to stand for,
got my voice to speak
got my voice to speak
despite the lies around me now
despite the lies around me now
but this bitter taste that they're leaving won't let me feel anything. (delay feel anything)
But this bitter taste that they're leaving won't let me feel anything.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amael Durand, Florestan Durand, Matteo Buil-Gelsomino, Nicolas Delestrade
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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