Novelists

Novelists are a French djent and progressive metalcore group from Paris, active since 2013. They form around brothers Amaël and Florestan Durand and emerge after the dissolution of their previous band, A Call to Sincerity. The band begins in April 2013 and is formerly known as Novelists FR.

Line-up

The current line-up includes Camille Contreras on vocals, Florestan Durand on guitar, Amaël Durand on drums, Nicolas Delestrade on bass guitar and Pierre Danel on guitar. Danel joins the band in 2021. Earlier members include Charles-Henri Teule, who plays guitar from 2013 to 2018, Mattéo Gelsomino, who sings lead vocals from 2013 to 2020, and Tobias Rische, who takes over vocals from 2020 to 2023.

Releases and development

Novelists release a six-song demo in April 2014. They sign to Arising Empire in July 2015 and issue their debut album, Souvenirs, in November of that year. The single “The Light, The Fire” arrives in June 2017, alongside touring with While She Sleeps and Northlane. After signing with SharpTone Records, they release their second album, Noir, in September 2017.

The band’s third album, C’est La Vie, follows in January 2020. After Gelsomino leaves in April 2020, Novelists hold an online audition process before Rische is announced as the new vocalist in October 2020. They sign with Out of Line Music in November 2020 and release “Lost Cause”, followed by “Terrorist” and “Do You Really Wanna Know?” in 2021.

In 2022, they issue “Smoke Signals” and “Heretic”, with “Heretic” featuring Florent Salfati of LANDMVRKS. Their fourth album, Déjà Vu, is released through Out of Line Records and introduces Pierre Danel as a permanent guitarist. In 2023, Rische leaves and Contreras takes over vocal duties after previously appearing on the title track of C’est La Vie. The singles “Turn It Up (Keyboard Warriors Social Club)”, “Prisoner” and “Mourning The Dawn” follow.

Recent work

Novelists release the EP Okapi in 2024, containing the three preceding singles and a title track. The band later releases “CODA” as the title track and first single from their fifth full-length album, followed by “K.O.”, “All For Nothing” and “Say My Name”. CODA is released through ACKOR Music, the label they share with LANDMVRKS, after the two bands form the label together. Their later work keeps the band’s progressive metalcore base while bringing in pop and EDM influences, and it places particular emphasis on clean vocals rather than screamed vocals.