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)
The Brave Pawn
Novembers Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For I put my trust in your heart
I′m punished for the seeds I've sown
The fool had cost me more then words
I am the one possessed by night
The bastard who broke you down
Torturing the pawn in pure delight
Every time I lift my head
My hate for you grows more
I was innocent in the eyes of just
No prayers can unbind my hands
I am the one possessed by night
The bastard who broke you down
Torturing the pawn in pure delight
I am the king without his Crown
I accept the burden for the calling of the brave
I abstain from giving you the power that you crave
Each and every silent day that pass before my eyes
Proof of non-existence and your cold pathetic lies
I release you from my site
Leaving me with this hand of fate
Passing judgement before I was alive
Until my death, I shall see you burn
I am the one possessed by night
The bastard who broke you down
Torturing the pawn in pure delight
I am the king without his Crown
I accept the burden for the calling of the brave
I abstain from giving you the power that you crave
Each and every silent day that pass before my eyes
Proof of non-existence and your cold pathetic lies
The Brave Pawn is a powerful and emotional song that deals with betrayal and the painful consequences of putting trust in someone who ultimately proves to be unworthy of it. The lyrics express deep resentment and anger towards the person who has caused the singer's pain and suffering. The first few lines reveal regret and remorse for the mistake of trusting the person. The singer feels punished for the seeds he has sown and laments the cost he has paid. The chorus, "I am the one possessed by night, the bastard who broke you down, torturing the pawn in pure delight, I am the king without his crown" shows the singer's guilt and sense of being a perpetrator in the situation, while also highlighting his power over the person he has broken down, however, also depicting himself as a king without a crown, indicating that he has lost something valuable.
The pain and hatred towards the person intensifies throughout the song, with the line "Every time I lift my head, my hate for you grows more" expresses the deep and building animosity. The lyrics also demonstrate the idea that justice is not being served, with the line "no prayers can unbind my hands" indicating that there is no redemption or absolution for the wrongdoings. However, the singer accepts the burden and responsibility for his actions, "I accept the burden for the calling of the brave, I abstain from giving you the power that you crave", showing that he is willing to take responsibility and ownership for what he has done.
Some possible interpretations of the song relate to the idea of the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, and how easily one can fall from grace. It also speaks to the fact that when we put our trust in someone, we are vulnerable to being betrayed and that it can be incredibly difficult to recover from the aftermath of such an act. Overall, The Brave Pawn is a moving and intense song that speaks to the human experience and emotions that we all feel at some point in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I curse the day I believed in you
I regret ever trusting you
For I put my trust in your heart
I trusted you blindly and it led to my downfall
I′m punished for the seeds I've sown
I am suffering the consequences of my bad decisions
The fool had cost me more then words
My foolishness has cost me dearly
I am the one possessed by night
I am consumed by darkness
The bastard who broke you down
I am the one who caused you pain
Torturing the pawn in pure delight
I took pleasure in your suffering
I am the king without his Crown
I hold power with no true authority
Every time I lift my head
Every time I think of you
My hate for you grows more
My anger towards you intensifies
I was innocent in the eyes of just
I was falsely accused and convicted
No prayers can unbind my hands
There is nothing that can undo what I have done
I accept the burden for the calling of the brave
I take responsibility for my actions
I abstain from giving you the power that you crave
I will not let you control me
Each and every silent day that pass before my eyes
Every day feels empty and meaningless
Proof of non-existence and your cold pathetic lies
You are a liar and your promises are meaningless
I release you from my site
I am done with you
Leaving me with this hand of fate
I am left with my destiny
Passing judgement before I was alive
You judged me unfairly before getting to know me
Until my death, I shall see you burn
I will always desire revenge against you
Writer(s): Garry Naples, Lawrence & Roberts, Michael Feldman, Paul Kuhr, Vito Marchese
Contributed by John N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.