Novembers Doom formed in 1989, but it was not until 1992 that Novembers Doom would receive some attention in the metal world. An early deal with Regress Records, of Italy, allowed Avantgarde Records to hear the band. This demo (Her Tears Drop) was heavy, combined with moods of darkness and despair. The two songs would lead to the release of the band's full length debut CD, Amid Its Hallowed Mirth on Avant Garde and Nuclear Blast. Exploring and expanding, the band added female backing vocals and continued its thick, eerie brand of metal. A compilation track for Pavement Music soon followed. In 1997, Novembers Doom released the EP For Every Leaf That Falls. The album was well received, leading to favourable reviews and response worldwide. Novembers Doom has since released their second full length album Of Sculptured Ivy and Stone Flowers, with Martyr Music Group. This new offering had received rave reviews.
In May of 2000, Novembers Doom entered the recording studio once again, to record the follow up to Of Sculptured Ivy and Stone Flowers. The band has recorded The Knowing with Studio One's Chris Djuricic. The CD is an extension of the previous material, only taking steps in new directions to enhance their already original sound.
In July of 2000, Novembers Doom officially became a member of Dark Symphonies. Realizing the bands potential, they constructed a deal with Martyr Music Group, to include the band on its roster, releasing The Knowing to the public.
Now, with their third full length release receiving praise, and a European licensed release of the CD through Pavement Music, Novembers Doom secured themselves more attention than before.
To Welcome the Fade
In October 2002, Novembers Doom entered the studio to begin work on their second full length of new material for Dark Symphonies. The band's fourth full length album would be entitled To Welcome the Fade, only this time they recruited the talents of the Grammy Award-winning producer, Neil Kernon. Kernon, best known for his work with acts like Hall & Oates, Kansas, Yes, Queensrÿche, Judas Priest, and more recently Nevermore and Cannibal Corpse, brought a new power and clarity to the sound of the band. This album was chosen as the Number One metal album of 2002 in Metal Maniacs magazine by one of its head editors, Novembers Doom was also a featured cover story on their January 2003 issue.
Signing with The End
In 2004, a successful tour in North America with The Gathering eventually leading to a signing with The End Records that summer. The band entered the studio in the fall to record their fifth album, The Pale Haunt Departure. This time around the band enlisted the help of the very respected producer and artist Dan Swanö (Edge of Sanity, Bloodbath and Nightingale) for the mixing duties, and the mastering went to metal guitarist and producer James Murphy (Testament, Obituary and Disincarnate).
In March 2005, The Pale Haunt Departure was released with a tour supporting it. Novembers Doom continues to forge ahead, meshing diverse musical styles and textures in the pursuit of always creating a new and unique listening experience with each new release, while retaining their heavy sound and dark lyrics.
The Novella Reservoir
In June 2006, the band's sixth full-length album, The Novella Reservoir, was announced on The End Records' website. The album will contain eight tracks. It is a follow-up to The Pale Haunt Departure.
Discography
* Her Tears Drop (Demo 1995)
* Amid Its Hallowed Mirth (Full-length 1995)
* For Every Leaf That Falls (EP 1997)
* Of Sculptured Ivy and Stone Flowers (Full-length 1999)
* The Knowing (Full-length, 2000)
* To Welcome the Fade (Full-length 2002)
* Reflecting In Grey Dusk (Best of/Compilation 2004)
* The Pale Haunt Departure (Full-length 2005)
* The Novella Reservoir (Full-length 2007)
* Into Night's Requiem Infernal (Full-length 2009)
* Aphotic (Full-length 2011)
* Bled White (Full Length 2014)
* Hamartia (Full Length 2017)
Dominate the Human Strain
Novembers Doom Lyrics
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The aftermath of natures hand, striking down the weak and frail
Dominate the human strain
A judgement day has come upon us, to separate the right and wrong
The fear of God in your solitude, creates this hell born faceless mask
Dominate the human strain, carry on this reckless farce
There is no turning back now, the flood will carry in the filth
Eyes will close to hide the truth, jagged words deform this hope
Bathe in the blood of his name, the elders crutch will crucify
Dominate the human strain, carry on this reckless farce
I have remained faithful to the cause, Save me, Save me!
Where has your savior gone to, for now hes left you here alone
The aftermath of natures hand, striking down the weak and frail
Bathe in the blood of his name, the elders crutch will crucify
Dominate the human strain, carry on this reckless farce
The lyrics of Novembers Doom's "Dominate the Human Strain" address a post-apocalyptic world in which humans are struggling to survive in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The lines "Where has your savior gone to, for now hes left you here alone/The aftermath of natures hand, striking down the weak and frail" imply that faith in a higher power has been lost, leaving people to fend for themselves. The idea of judgement day is also present in the lyrics, as shown in the line "A judgement day has come upon us, to separate the right and wrong." The fear of God is discussed in the context of creating a "hell born faceless mask" as people struggle to survive in this new world.
The chorus of the song, "Dominate the human strain, carry on this reckless farce," conveys a sense of desperation as survivors try to maintain some semblance of control over their lives. The repetition of the line "bathe in the blood of his name" suggests a need for sacrifice and devotion in order to survive, and the line "the elders crutch will crucify" implies that those in power will use religion as a tool to control the masses.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dominate the Human Strain" paint a bleak picture of a world in which humanity is on the brink of collapse, and faith in a higher power has been lost. It conveys a sense of desperation and the struggle for survival in the face of overwhelming odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Where has your savior gone to, for now hes left you here alone
Questioning where one's god is in times of trouble and the feeling of abandonment.
The aftermath of natures hand, striking down the weak and frail
The natural world's power to destroy those who cannot withstand it.
Dominate the human strain
The desire to control humanity and possibly even destroy it.
A judgement day has come upon us, to separate the right and wrong
The idea of a final judgement where those who are deemed righteous are separated from those who are not.
The fear of God in your solitude, creates this hell born faceless mask
The feeling of being watched and judged by a higher power can lead to a false persona.
Bathe in the blood of his name, the elders crutch will crucify
Sacrificing oneself in the name of religion, but possibly being used and manipulated by religious leaders.
Dominate the human strain, carry on this reckless farce
The desire to control or destroy humanity continues, despite the potential harm it may cause.
There is no turning back now, the flood will carry in the filth
Once a strong decision or action is made, it cannot be undone and the consequences must be faced.
Eyes will close to hide the truth, jagged words deform this hope
Denial of truth and harsh words can damage one's sense of optimism.
I have remained faithful to the cause, Save me, Save me!
Staying loyal to a belief system, but possibly fearing the consequences of that loyalty.
Contributed by Lucas D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.