"From flashy solos to heartfelt finales, social media impressions rely on emotion. A rough individual journey highlights Novelists' successful comeback, marked by DIY technical innovations."
Novelists unveil their reinvented sound in their latest album, "Coda." After enduring a tumultuous period, including a change in vocalists, the band found a new direction with the arrival of Camille Contreras.
Guitarist Florestan Durand recalls the challenging time that followed their separation with Tobias Rische in 2022. "We thought it might be the end," he admits. However, Contreras' presence breathed new life into the band. Four test-flight singles later, they shifted focus, opting to create music that resonated with them rather than pursuing mainstream success.
The result is a grittier, more invigorated sound, replete with heavy riffs and a return to the band's roots. Durand and co-guitarist/producer Pierre Danel drew inspiration from various sources, including Periphery, Monuments, Bring Me The Horizon, and a mutual affection for the ring modulator effect, which they developed into their plugin, Kernel.
This custom plugin, jointly created with Samuel Martinez, is based on a Marshall JCM800 amplifier. It also incorporates a ring modulator, a Tube Screamer, and four cabinets, providing an impressive range of tonal possibilities. The Marshall JCM800, in particular, offers the punk and gritty sound that defines "Coda."
In addition to the Kernel plugin, the band utilizes a variety of guitar sounds, amplifiers, and plugin combinations. For instance, Durand favors a modeled Diezel Herbert for leads, while Danel relies on a concoction of plugins like THU Slate, STL Tone Hub, and Sound Spot Fat Filters.
The guitars themselves are fully customized, with Danel sporting a Vola signature Vasti 7 PDM J3, a modern seven-string Superstrat designed to cater to various genres. Durand, on the other hand, collaborates with German luthier Patrick von Stein to create custom-built Novas that closely resemble Ibanez neck shapes.
The guitar-driven moments permeating "Coda" are a testament to the band's refreshed perspective. Despite their emphasis on musical innovation, they remain mindful of the importance of emotion in their compositions. "A flashy solo still needs to end with a beautiful note with nice vibrato," Duran ensures.
The duo also presents contrasting soloing approaches. Danel, influenced by his jazz background, prefers improvisation and tapping, while Durand prefers a more deliberate, structured method. Their repertoire typically embraces drop C and A tunings, but "Adam and Eve" breaks this norm with an experimental tuning that offers its unique sound and challenges for live performances.
"Coda" is now available via NOVEMVRKS. Fans can visit Novelists for more information.
- Guitarist Florestan Durand used a custom-built Nova, similar to an Ibanez neck shape, during the recording of "Coda."
- Durand and co-guitarist/producer Pierre Danel took inspiration from various sources, such as Periphery and Bring Me The Horizon, while creating the Kernel plugin based on a Marshall JCM800 amplifier.
- The grittier sound of "Coda" includes a variety of guitar sounds, amplifiers, and plugin combinations, with Durand favoring a modeled Diezel Herbert for leads and Danel using plugins like THU Slate, STL Tone Hub, and Sound Spot Fat Filters.
- The band utilizes the ring modulator effect, which they developed into their plugin, Kernel, and incorporates it into their music, as exemplified by the punk and gritty sound of "Coda."
