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)
Drown The Inland Mere
Novembers Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is nothing left within your empty smile
Nothing will change, the tide will still rise
Hold me under water
Drown the inland mere
Into this darkness I forever hold my loss
A shell of what I was, I’ll never let you go
After all you said in vein, a weaker soul am I
This is my final struggle, this is my dying day
Hold me under water
Drown the inland mere
Into this darkness I forever hold my loss
Only a moments time to scream my name
No brother to man who rapes his own
A cell to rot the fabric of flesh
Why are you still smiling?
It’s pity I feel for the life that’s yours
The haunting voice of liberated souls
The death knell proudly chimes
Nothing but slaves in the unwilling fall
Hold me under water
Drown the inland mere
Into this darkness I forever hold my loss
Only a moments time to scream my name
The lyrics of Novembers Doom's song "Drown The Inland Mere" paint an image of darkness and despair, with a gray line dividing where the shadows blur. The singer seems to be addressing someone who has caused them pain, perhaps irreparable damage, as there is nothing left within their empty smile. Despite the singer's hope that things might change, they express a sense of resignation, knowing that the tide will still rise and the pain will remain. The title of the song suggests a desire to drown out the stagnant waters of the inland mere, to extinguish the pain and suffering that seems to pervade their surroundings.
In the face of darkness, the singer clings to their loss, holding onto it forever, screaming their name into the void. They may feel like a shell of what they used to be, unsure of how to move forward and hesitant to let go of the person or situation that hurt them. In the final moments of the song, the singer seems to address their oppressor, condemning them for their actions and expressing pity for the life that is theirs. The haunting voice of liberated souls and the death knell chime in, reminding us of the inevitability of death and decay. Ultimately, the song leaves us with a sense of sadness and finality, as if something has been lost that can never be regained.
Line by Line Meaning
A gray line divides where the shadows blur
The line between light and dark is unclear and hazy.
There is nothing left within your empty smile
Your smile is fake and empty, with no real emotion behind it.
Nothing will change, the tide will still rise
Despite our efforts, things will stay the same and problems will persist.
Hold me under water
I want to be submerged, to escape my pain and struggles.
Drown the inland mere
I want to let myself sink and be consumed by my sorrows.
Into this darkness I forever hold my loss
I am engulfed in darkness and mourning for what I have lost.
Only a moments time to scream my name
My time is running out, and I want to make one final cry before I go.
A shell of what I was, I’ll never let you go
I am a mere ghost of my former self, but I refuse to let go of what I once had.
After all you said in vein, a weaker soul am I
Despite your efforts and words, I am now weaker and more broken than before.
This is my final struggle, this is my dying day
I am facing my final battle, and this may be my last day alive.
No brother to man who rapes his own
I cannot relate to or accept someone who would harm their own kin.
A cell to rot the fabric of flesh
Those who harm others belong in prison, to deteriorate and pay for their actions.
Why are you still smiling?
I cannot fathom how you can be happy while others suffer.
It’s pity I feel for the life that’s yours
I feel sorry for the person that you are and the life you lead.
The haunting voice of liberated souls
Those who have passed on still have a presence and impact on the living.
The death knell proudly chimes
The finality of death is certain, and it is not something to be celebrated or proud of.
Nothing but slaves in the unwilling fall
We are all trapped in the cycle of life and death, with no real control over our ultimate fate.
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.