NOVEMBERS DOOM return with their twelfth full-length album, which is entitled "Major Arcana.” Following six long years after their acclaimed latest opus "Nephilim Grove" (2019), the American dark metal stalwarts have raised the stakes even higher by creating a conceptual album that thematically draws inspiration from tarot and divination. This overarching theme reflects in the artwork and design of "Major Arcana" as well as in the lyrical storytelling throughout the album. The album has ten songs, and “June” is first; a short opening instrumental. The tones are, of course, solemn, and are mostly from piano and clean vocals. Segueing into the title track, It comes out of the gate with a heavy, weighted riff, rolling drums, and plenty of darkness. The vocals vary from clean to guttural and back again.

“Ravenous” is a straighter and firmer arrow of death, shooting right into your heart. The Death Metal elements are strong here, and there are only small bits of melody thrown into the mix. There are also some Progressive elements, mostly in the meter shifting. “Mercy” is much gentler, and poignant, and both of these tones come through from the clean guitars and harmonized vocals. “The time is now, I leave with nothing but my fear,” he muses, as he takes his last breath. “The Dance” has muted tones are first, but the hardened riff that enters is downright bossy. The aggression of the sound is tempered well with the use of more melody also. “Bleed Static” has a dark combination of contentious elements with sinister vocal harmonies, and the Gothic sound takes center stage once more. It reminds me a bit of ALICE IN CHAINS in that regard.

“Dusking Day” begins with smooth and dark keys, and ride is mellow at first, then come the potholes, or hardened tones if you will. The vocals have a nasty snarl to them, and the sound is catchy. “XXII,” or 22, closes the album, and it’s a hardened slab of meaty metal enough to feed a family of five. In every way, this was an good album, and seeing that it is the band’s twelfth release, they did play it a bit safe. I get it…fans get used to a certain sound and that is what they want, what they expect. I’m not asking the band to shed their skin completely, but a taking a few more small chances might help the album to stand out a bit more.