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Novelists FR

Novelists FR

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Novelists FR – The Parisian Metalcore Band Blending Technical Power, Melody, and Renewal

A band from Paris that continually recharges modern Metalcore

Novelists FR is among the most exciting French formations in contemporary Metalcore. Founded in 2013 in Paris, the band evolved from an ambitious newcomer project to an internationally recognized entity straddling progressive Metalcore, Djent, and melodic heaviness. The addition of "FR" in the name came in 2019 for legal reasons and simultaneously marks a new phase in the band's self-conception. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

Their journey has been characterized by lineup changes, stylistic development, and a consistent focus on precise songwriting. This unique mix of technical control, emotional intensity, and a pronounced stage presence makes Novelists FR equally interesting to metal fans and scene observers. The band is part of a generation of European heavy acts that understand heaviness not just as volume but as a compositional discipline. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

Biography: From the First Singles to International Recognition

Novelists were founded in 2013 by brothers Amael and Florestan Durand; soon after, Matteo Gelsomino, Nicolas Delestrade, and Charles-Henri Teule joined. Before their first record deal, the band deliberately focused on self-releases to build reach with singles. Between April 2013 and April 2014, six singles were released before preparations for the first album began. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

The breakthrough began with a management deal at The Artery Foundation Management and their first European tour in 2014 with I, the Breather and Shoot the Girl First. A contract with Arising Empire followed in 2015, and the debut album Souvenirs was released in November of that year. A U.S. tour supporting I, the Breather failed due to visa issues, but the band used the time to tour further in Europe. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

With Noir (2017), Novelists further sharpened their profile and combined complex guitar work with melodic accessibility. C’est La Vie was released in 2020, before Matteo Gelsomino left the band in April of the same year. Tobias Rische took over vocals in October 2020, and with him, Déjà Vu was released in 2022. In 2023, the band again changed their frontman: Camille Contreras was introduced as the new singer. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

Career Development: Lineup Changes as a Catalyst for Artistic Movement

Few periods in the band's history showcase the dynamics of Novelists FR as clearly as the time since 2020. The changes at the microphone did not feel like breaks without direction but served as catalysts for new colors in their sound. Notably, Camille Contreras brought a new vocal perspective and became a visible symbol of a fresh chapter in 2023. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

The band remained highly active live. For 2024, Novelists announced a headlining tour across Europe; in addition, they performed worldwide and supported acts like Tesseract, ERRA, Periphery, and Northlane in various scenes. This underscores their position within an international network of modern heavy music, where technical precision and emotional pressure go hand in hand. ([thelinkprod.fr](https://thelinkprod.fr/artists/novelists/))

Discography: A Summary of Key Albums and Songs

The discography of Novelists FR shows a clear line: from a debut full of momentum to increasingly sophisticated arrangements and a more mature production. Their studio albums include Souvenirs (2015), Noir (2017), C’est La Vie (2020), Déjà Vu (2022), and CODA (2025). Even the early singles like "Twenty Years," "Gravity," and later "The Light, The Fire" made clear how much the band relies on rhythmic tension and catchy hook lines. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

In addition, there are the EPs and singles of the newer phase, including Okapi (2024), "Mourning the Dawn," "Prisoner," and "Turn It Up." The band documents their recent releases through their own Bandcamp profile, where the new tracks are clearly attributed to the current era. This reflects a modern release mode, where singles, videos, and album campaigns intertwine. ([novelists.bandcamp.com](https://novelists.bandcamp.com/))

Musical Style: Djent, Progressive Metalcore, and Melodic Architecture

Novelists FR are often described as a progressive Metalcore or Djent band. Characteristic features include the use of five-string basses and seven-string guitars, distinctive rhythm changes, precise riffs, and recurring melodies that do not interrupt but rather structure the aggression. This balance between heaviness and atmosphere is one of the band's essential strengths. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

A quote from Metal Hammer in the Wikipedia documentation describes the sound as "a harmonious sound conglomerate of hyper-fast Djent and Progressive Metal guitars with a hardcore vibe." This formulation contains the aesthetic truth of the band: Novelists FR combine technical proficiency with emotion, growls with clean vocals, and precisely crafted tension arcs. The result is not a pure heaviness act but a band with a pronounced compositional identity. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

Current Projects: CODA, Tours, and Their Own Label Structure

2025 marked an important new beginning for Novelists FR. Together with LANDMVRKS, they announced the founding of the label ACKOR Music, and their fifth studio album CODA was released on May 16, 2025. The accompanying singles "Coda," "K.O.," and "All For Nothing" signal a band that continues to widen their sound without losing their metallic core energy. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_%28band%29?utm_source=openai))

Furthermore, the current tour planning is noteworthy. On their official store page, the band lists a CODA Tour with dates in Europe as well as a North America and Canada route for 2025; additionally, a Paris date is scheduled for April 4, 2026, at La Cigale. This demonstrates that Novelists FR are not only thinking about their career in the studio but consistently envisioning it as a live story. ([novelists.store](https://www.novelists.store/pages/tour?utm_source=openai))

Cultural Influence and Reception: Why Novelists FR Matter in the Scene

Novelists FR have repeatedly been cited in the music press as a reference for modern, technically precise Metalcore. Comparisons with Periphery, Monuments, and Heart of a Coward underscore their position within an international scene that does not view progression and heaviness as opposites. The band's ability to remain relevant over the years despite changing labels, varying front voices, and lineup-related upheavals speaks to their artistic stability. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

The closeness to their fanbase is also part of their success. On Bandcamp, recent releases have already received early support, and the band even features their own guitar plugin and tab books on their official website. This makes Novelists FR appear as a band that binds its community not only with songs but also with tools, transcriptions, and direct communication. ([novelists.bandcamp.com](https://novelists.bandcamp.com/))

Conclusion: A Band with a Future, Pressure, and Their Own Compass

Novelists FR remain exciting because they do not shy away from change while preserving a distinctive signature. A sound emerges from progressive riffs, emotional singing, heavy breakdowns, and melodic finesse that carries both on album length and on stage. Those seeking modern Metalcore with substance, technique, and atmosphere will find a band at a consistently high level here. Live, Novelists FR unleash their full force the most. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelists_FR))

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