It would be really nice if you could believe that every band LABELED as progressive metal were actually progressive metal. Unfortunately, bands are getting labeled “progressive metal” when they are actually metalcore or a variation of that. Just because you can play a lot of notes does not make you prog.

Novelists are another in the ever growing list of metalcore bands that really want you to think they are prog metal. Even their label is calling them prog metal. You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig. And try as they might, Novelists have way too much metalcore to kill whatever prog ambitions they might have.

They can’t seem to get out of 4/4 time. Their vocalist has a whiny clean vocal and the typical metalcore harsh vocal. The band tries hard to not do a breakdown but by the time “Antares” gets going, they can not resist the temptation any longer. Plus they love doing that loud bass sound on every track, like all metalcore bands love to do.

The bottom line is I really wish bands like Novelists would stop calling themselves prog when they are NOT FUCKING PROG! Is it cool to be prog? Of course it is. But guys, you are a metalcore band. Good luck with that shitty ass genre. Take Northlane with you too.

Rating: 1/10 (because they know how to play their instruments)
Tracklist:
Go Google it if you actually care that much!

Label: Nuclear Blast