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)
Six Sides
Novembers Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Within those six sides, the enemy hides
The power escapes under its cold breath
And it’s my responsibility to watch it die.
These years provide the stepping stone
And it grows stronger before my eyes
I chose to keep it alive
No prayer, no hope, no wicked way
A violent path of a fantastic mistake
Dark corners where seclusion resides
A funeral to escape her fearful gaze
These years provide the stepping stone
And it grows stronger before my eyes
I chose to keep it alive
I will choose when it dies
A sickening sound of clawing, trying to escape
Sealed tight, no air, and no light
It needs nothing more then hate to exist
I inherit this curse
Like the scientist before the dawn
A poison I create with stunning envy
Asphyxiate the war that lives inside
Remove the life and silence the cries
Don’t you dare attempt to understand
You couldn’t pretend, not then or now
I’ve fathered this prison for too many years
Kept alive to one day crush all dreams
Within six sides, the enemy hides
The power escapes under its cold breath
It’s my responsibility to watch it die
I once told her the box is where it died
In Novembers Doom's song "Six Sides," the persona is grappling with a sense of responsibility towards an unnamed entity or being that seems to be trapped within a box. The persona seemingly inherited this "curse," which must be watched and kept alive to one day "crush all dreams." The six sides of the box serve as a prison within which the enemy, and its power, is hidden. The persona has chosen to keep the entity alive, even though it grows stronger before their eyes, and will also choose when it dies. The persona feels a strong sense of ownership over the entity and its fate, and even though it is a burden, they cannot let go of this responsibility.
The song's dark imagery and intense emotions make it challenging to decipher its exact meaning. The persona seems to be reflecting on their involvement in something that they may have created, a "fantastic mistake" that has taken on a life of its own. The entity within the box could also be a metaphor for a personal demon that the persona is trying to keep in check by containing it within the box. However, eventually, they may have to face the consequences of their actions and "crush all dreams."
Line by Line Meaning
She once told me the box is where it lives
She informed me that the container is where it exists.
Within those six sides, the enemy hides
The adversary conceals inside those six boundaries.
The power escapes under its cold breath
The energy gets away through its icy exhalation.
And it’s my responsibility to watch it die.
It is my duty to witness its demise.
These years provide the stepping stone
These years act as a foundation upon which to progress.
And it grows stronger before my eyes
And it strengthens as I observe.
I chose to keep it alive
I made the decision to keep it breathing.
I will choose when it dies
I will decide when it ceases to exist.
No prayer, no hope, no wicked way
There is no plea, no expectation, nor evil method.
A violent path of a fantastic mistake
A path of destruction created by a remarkable error.
Dark corners where seclusion resides
Obscurity dwells within shadowy corners.
A funeral to escape her fearful gaze
A ceremony to avoid her frightened stare.
A sickening sound of clawing, trying to escape
An unpleasant noise of scratching, attempting to evade.
Sealed tight, no air, and no light
Closed firmly with no access to air nor illumination.
It needs nothing more then hate to exist
It requires only animosity to survive.
I inherit this curse
I obtain this plight.
Like the scientist before the dawn
Similar to the scientist prior to sunrise.
A poison I create with stunning envy
A venom I produce with overwhelming jealousy.
Asphyxiate the war that lives inside
Suffocate the conflict that thrives within.
Remove the life and silence the cries
Take away the existence and quell the screams.
Don’t you dare attempt to understand
Do not even try to comprehend.
You couldn’t pretend, not then or now
You could not pretend, neither back then nor now.
I’ve fathered this prison for too many years
I have been the creator of this jail for too long.
Kept alive to one day crush all dreams
Alive to obliterate all aspirations one day.
Within six sides, the enemy hides
The foe remains concealed within six boundaries.
The power escapes under its cold breath
The energy flees accompanied by its frigid exhale.
It’s my responsibility to watch it die
I am accountable for witnessing its demise.
I once told her the box is where it died
At one point, I stated that the container is where it ceased to exist.
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.