Interviews: Novelists

With a bold new chapter underway, French progressive metalcore band Novelists are embracing change and pushing boundaries with their latest album, CODA. Marking a significant evolution in both sound and spirit, CODA signals not just the end of one era, but the beginning of another—introducing new vocalist Camille into the fold. From emotional catharsis to musical experimentation, the band is charting fresh territory without losing the intensity that fans have come to love.

In this exclusive interview, Camille shares insights into the creative process behind CODA, the freedom that came with joining ACKOR Music, and what it’s like stepping onto the stage alongside progressive heavyweights.

1. CODA marks a new era for Novelists. How would you describe the evolution of your sound on this album compared to previous releases?

I think the new songs are different from the first four singles released. The evolution mainly occurred in the creative process and the coherence of this album. There was a real desire to share emotions that have touched us over the past year. There was also a desire to bring something new to metal, to try to step outside the box, even if it means shocking and surprising the audience!

2. What’s the story or concept behind the title CODA?

'Coda' in music means the end of a piece. For us, it represents the end of a chapter. The end of a chapter for the band, and therefore the beginning of the next chapter with me, the new singer of the band. It also holds a lot of meaning in our personal lives and the experiences we've had over the past year, whether it's breakups, losses, or changes in our professional lives. We needed to close chapters!

3. You’ve released three singles so far—"CODA," "All For Nothing," and "K.O." Why did you choose these tracks to introduce the album?

We chose these three songs because we think they are all quite different and showcase the range the album 'CODA' will offer when it is released. Sticking to the same music style is not at all the goal of this album; it was important for us to show the audience that there will be something for everyone! There are also other surprises in the album, we haven’t revealed everything!

4. Which song was the most challenging to write or record on this album?

There are several songs that were difficult to write, due to the themes they address, the emotions that resonated within us, and of course, the deadlines to finish and deliver the album before going back on tour. But the hardest one was 'All For Nothing.' We changed the chorus three times and the verses twice! The song didn’t sound like this at first. In the end, we’re really happy with the result, and it was well-received by the audience, so we made the right choices!

5. You’re now signed to ACKOR Music, a label co-founded by members of LANDMVRKS and Novelists. How has this influenced your creative process and the production of CODA?

Well, exactly! Since Nicolas from Novelists created the label with Nicolas from Landmvrks, there aren't really any constraints except the deadlines. I think we had the greatest possible freedom to create this album. And it’s a huge privilege for us to have been able to let our creativity flow without ever restricting it. This album is the result of a desire to offer music that is different, unexpected, surprising, and emotionally powerful.

6. Camille, you've brought a fresh energy to Novelists. How has your integration into the band been, and what impact have you had on the sound and group dynamic?

The band has been around for over 10 years, and they've already been to almost all the countries we've toured in. I think my carefree attitude and optimism in discovering this new world have brought back the magic of touring, concerts, and composing new songs for them. Naturally, with a new person in the band, the dynamic has evolved, and we've adapted our way of working. My influences are different from theirs, which gives the final sound of the music a different result than what they would have done.

7. From a vocal perspective, how was the writing and recording process with this new lineup?

For some songs, I would go into the vocal booth, we’d put the instrumental on loop, and I would do at least 10 takes of different improvised vocal lines. Then either Nico or Amaël would select the parts that worked well, and we would do a bit of a puzzle to create vocal lines that suited us. After that, we would write the lyrics with Nico. There are songs that took a long time to finish. And there are some that I wrote in 1 hour, then recorded in 2 hours, and it was done! Haha, sometimes inspiration hits you and creates beautiful things. Other times, you have to search a little further for it.

8. You’ve shared the stage with bands like Northlane, Erra, Periphery, and Tesseract. What has it been like performing alongside these progressive metal and metalcore heavyweights?

It was so inspiring! They’re all top musicians. I asked each singer for advice on how they trained, warmed up before a concert, what in-ear system and microphone they used. We talked a lot, and they were very supportive of me! I watched their shows live to learn from the best! :)

9. Is there a recent live show or tour moment that stands out as particularly memorable for you?

The last concert that really marked me was the one in my hometown, Marseille. I played in front of my family, my friends at home! I was able to walk to the concert hall from my house, to join the tour bus! Haha, that concert was magical for me! I could see in the eyes of all my loved ones their pride, their joy, and it was a way for me to show them that I was living my dream, that I was happy on stage, living off my passion. The energy and emotions I felt during that concert made me reach the highest level of happiness I’ve ever felt in my life.

10. How have you approached your live performances and stage presence in this new chapter of the band?

For live performances, I try to rehearse the vocal parts as much as possible, and the guitar if there is any. I could rehearse more, but I have a laboratory. I'm a chemist, so the time between tours is quite busy. For stage presence, I do cardio, tennis, and generally exercise to keep up with the pace. And I think my desire to be on stage and the interaction with the audience gives me a drive that transforms and transcends me.

11. Novelists have consistently evolved over the years. Where do you see the band’s future within the metalcore/progressive scene?

I have the ambition, the desire, and the hope that in a few years, the band will continue to tour and play concerts in increasingly bigger venues. That the album will have been listened to and will have touched as many people as possible. I hope we will release more albums. I imagine it and will do everything I can to ensure the band keeps creating even crazier music! haha 12. If you could collaborate with any artist outside of metal, who would it be and why? Without any doubt, Billie Eilish. She’s insanely talented! Her last album has been on repeat a million times on my Spotify!

13. What do you hope fans take away after listening to CODA in its entirety?

With this album, we wanted to share strong emotions. The past year has been as joyful as it has been sad. 'I'm torn between black and white' in the song *K.O* really defines that. I hope these emotions will resonate with others. Some songs on the album can bring comfort to people going through difficult times. Life is beautiful, and we can't wait to share this new chapter with you.