French progressive metal band Novelists have released a new Audiotree Live session, capturing the band in a tight, high-quality performance that reflects where they are creatively right now. Filmed at Audiotree’s Chicago studio, the session puts the focus squarely on live execution, with a raw feel and real-time recording and mixing. That approach suits Novelists well, allowing their dynamic mix of vocals, and laser-like musical accuracy to come through clearly. It was an honor to see Vola artist Pierre Danel representing the brand in such a cool setting, and they definitely brought their A-game. Each song choice was certainly deliberate, pulling many titles off of their most recent release CODA. It felt good to see them take on the same space as predecessors Pinegrove, Loathe, Chon, and even a fellow Vola-artist, Joshua Powell, among many others.

Since its founding in 2011, Audiotree has become a respected platform for discovering artists through professionally produced live sessions shared across its website and YouTube channel. Its Chicago studio is known for capturing full-band performances with some killer visual accompaniment. While Audiotree first built its audience around indie and alternative music, the platform has steadily expanded into heavier and more experimental genres. Metal and progressive artists have found a space where technical playing and nuanced arrangements translate naturally. Audiotree’s global reach continues to introduce bands to new listeners without diluting their identity, and Novelists’ session fits comfortably within that tradition.

The band’s set includes five songs that showcase their current musical direction: “Say My Name,” “All For Nothing,” “Coda,” “Lost Cause,” and “Mourning the Dawn.” All taken from their newest record, these songs are certainly the cream of the crop. Each showcased each individual member equally and gave them their time to shine. They also did two intriguing interviews in between songs, discussing the progression of the band, touring, the metal scene, and life in general.

We may be biased, but one of the standout aspects of the session is Pierre Danel’s guitar work, which showcased his near-absurd levels of accuracy and tasteful playing. Throughout the set, Danel rotates between his Vola signature Vasti PDM J3 and Vasti PDM J2, using both instruments to shape the session’s overall feel. The J3 happens to feature some Bareknuckle Bootcamp Brute Force pickups, which has been mainstay in their overall sound. Really, what stands out most is his exceptionally precise soloing, woven naturally into the tracks and no longer or shorter than they need to be. Pierre has accrued a skillset that is a distinct fusion of all the best influences, and this session proves that he has it locked in. 

Taken as a whole, 2025 marked a defining year for Novelists, bringing together creative independence and sustained international momentum. The release of their fifth studio album, CODA, through ACKOR Music, the artist-run label co-founded with LANDMVRKS, represented a major step forward for the band. Singles like “All For Nothing” and “Say My Name” set the tone early, while a packed touring schedule carried them across Europe and North America. Appearances at major festivals including Download Festival, Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Resurrection Fest, alongside key support runs with Tesseract and LANDMVRKS, reinforced their growing presence on the global stage. The Audiotree Live session serves as a natural conclusion to that year, capturing Novelists in a moment of focus, confidence, and creative clarity. Massive congrats to Novelists on this accomplishment! 

WATCH THE FULL SESSION HERE: