First Album with Camille – Novelists – Coda – Album Review

The Band

 

Novelists is a French progressive metalcore band that was formed in 2013. 

In September 2023, Camille Contreras joined the band as a singer. She is the third singer that the band has had. 

Band members

• Camille Contreras – vocals
• Florestan Durand – guitar
• Pierre Danel – guitar
• Nicolas Delestrade – bass
• Amael Durand – drums

 

 

 

The Album

 

Coda is Novelists’ fifth studio album and the first proper album with Camille as a singer, previously she recorded an EP and some singles with them. The release date was May 16, 2025.

 

The Songs

 

1. Say My Name. The first track on the album, but the second single they released. It has a pop beginning, a catchy chorus, my favorite part is the bridge in which Camille growls, and the guitar solo at the end. Love song, he doesn’t acknowledge her.

 

2. Coda. The title track. I love it. The initial guitar lines remind me of Pink Floyd’s Run Like Hell.
One of my favorite songs from Novelists.

In the chorus, we hear Camille’s sweet voice. I love the melody, super catchy. At the end of the breakdown, a great guitar solo, djent, and chorus again. Killer guitar work in general throughout the song.

This was the first single on this album, and here’s the review I did then: https://metalbere.com/lazy-town-goes-djent-novelists-coda-song-review/

 

3. All For Nothing. The third single from this album. It’s a metalcore ballad with nice guitar work and a solo. About ending a relationship.

 

4. Witch’s Curse. This is an interesting song about someone living a seemingly more expensive life than they are. It has some Spanish sections. I liked it, especially the breakdown, where Camille goes crazy with her raspy voice and aggressive screams.

 

5. In Heaven. A sad song. Camille’s voice is beautiful. The drum fills also sound incredible, with impressive guitar solos. She sings about missing someone who has died, whom she can no longer hug.

 

6. Adam and Eve. It started heavier. There’s a male voice, I guess one of the other members, but I couldn’t find information on who he is. Then Camille enters with harsh vocals. In the chorus, it turns to melodic, clean vocals, but combines with raspy vocals and the male singer. It’s like a discussion between a man and a woman, Adam and Eve. Fine guitar solo. It ends with badass Camille’s screams.

 

7. Sleepless Nights. A metalcore ballad, where Camille’s voice stands out. She sings about missing someone, like an ex. Neat guitar solo.

 

8. 78 rue…. Another ballad.

 

9. CRC. This started heavy. Harsh vocals.

 

10. K.O. Another ballad, but I liked this one more; the chorus is catchier, maybe. It has some parts in French. Lovely.

 

Here’s the full album:

 

Final Thoughts

 

This is a good album, even though it has too many ballads for me, where you hear Camille’s emotional delivery through her voice. I would have liked to hear her harsh vocals and growls more, because she’s great at that.

Remarkable guitar solos. An album very focused on guitars, yet that makes sense with spectacular guitar players like Florestan and Pierre.

 

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Tracklist

1. Say My Name
2. Coda
3. All For Nothing
4. Maldición de la Bruja
5. In Heaven
6. Adam and Eve
7. Sleepless Nights
8. 78 rue…
9. CRC
10. K.O.