Nevermore by Frapin

Hey Hey Posse, Back in 2014 Nevermore was hailed as a startling new fragrance. It’s inky darkness was definitely groundbreaking and who doesn’t love a tortured poet reference, in this case Poe.

  “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
    Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
    On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
            Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
V8 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

I also love Caravelle Epice from the Frapin brand.

Nevermore by P Frapin & Cie 2019 re-release

Nevermore by Frapin

 

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Aldehydes, nutmeg, black pepper, rose, amber, atlas cedar, saffron

Nevermore is a queer bird. It opens like road base in the rain. The aldehydes, black pepper and maybe nutmeg/rose combo are like something dark, inky, wet and arctic. It’s like opening a brand new geometry set as a kid, the metallic and plastic smell so fresh and new. This newer version has all the hallmarks of the original but dialled back to wearable. The confrontation has been scaled down, while still being quite a challenging, weird assed fragrance.

As the heart emerges all the cold opening is burned off. The saffron and amber warm the fragrance up and the spices are really singing. There are even moments of foodiness, like watching Jin prepare some quite chilli hot meat dish. The very hot pan and the very first brilliant sizzle of spices and the squeal on the meat as he sears it.

By the time dry down comes around we are left with a fairly standard 21st century niche base kept interesting by the remnants of inky darkness.

I got this Press Bottle when the company relaunched and am so happy that I have this version. The older version might be cooler but I would never have reached for it. This version, because it’s more wearable, gets quite a bit of skin time.

Totally unisex, it has a terrific story and changes through its life. Projection isn’t huge but it is noticeable and the sillage definitely changes the air as you waft by. Longevity is very good, still softly humming away 7 or 8 hours later.

Are you ever intrigued enough by the story/ad copy/references of a fragrance to want to try it?
Portia xx

  • Patty says:

    I don’t remember Nevermore that well, but i was so stoked when I saw Frapin was back! L’Humaniste is one of my favorite men’s fragrances, so I quickly ordered a bottle from France, since they seemed to have Frapin back early, but now it is stuck in customs. 🙁 Now I need to resniff Nevermore!

  • Musette says:

    I have no idea what the hell you’re saying half the time (idiomatic, because Aussie) but even with that, you get me all lemminged-up 99% of the time you review a fragrance. You FIEND! 😉 But I love you to pieces.

    And yes, I want to sniff this. And I want Jin to wear the Fun Underwear and come cook for me (and bring that Frapin when you guys come over, okay? Oh. You want me to come to you? Even BETTA!!)

    😉 xoxoxoxo

    • Portia says:

      HA! Musette,
      Sometimes I read my stuff back and you can really tell I spent over 25 years mindlessly partying. My brain flow is effortless but a bit skew-whiff. Most Aussies think I’m from outer space.
      I’m glad to gift lemmings though and love you right back.
      As soon as the USA seems like it’s back on track we’ll be at your place ready to cook and sniff. I’ll help in the garden and Jin will make us laugh.
      Portia xx

  • Cinnamon says:

    I had that name thing with Areej le Dore War and Peace. The Frapin sound intriguing and I think one of my regular sample haunts probably stocks it.

    • Portia says:

      Hey Cinnamon,
      Areej le Dore War and Peace is a captivating name. It calls to me too, though I’m yet to try it. Your review was interesting, it caught me a bit off guard. I love that.
      Portia xx

  • Neva says:

    I think I’d buy it for the name alone…and then there are aldehydes, black pepper, atlas cedar and your intriguing review. I must look for a sample somewhere. Frapin perfumes are not being sold around here.

    • Portia says:

      Hey Neva,
      Yeah, they are a funny brand. They are everywhere one minute and then I hear nothing about them for a while, suddenly since late 2017 they are back doing interesting things and making some noise.
      Portia xx

  • lee says:

    Well I’m certainly intrigued by your terrific review Portia- road base in the rain and a new compass and protractor- wowee!! To this day, one of my most fondly remembered smells is my state school stationery room, all those pencils and exercise books and sticks of chalk, if someone could only bottle that.. anyway, you’ve sold me on Nevermore, off to source a sample xx

    • Portia Turbo says:

      Hi Lee,
      Thank you. Sometimes the reviews seem to write themselves, this was like that. The words couldn’t wait to get created.
      I’d love to hear if Nevermore tickles your stationary room itch. It may not be a perfect replication but I bet it will trigger some memories.
      Portia x

  • Carolyn says:

    Oh I adore Frapin perfumes and the punk attitude of ravens/crows makes me laugh heartily (so many of them here in Santa Fe) so it seems I MUST hunt down a sample of this one.

    • Portia Turbo says:

      Hey Carolyn,
      I never saw an Australian crow in the cities till we moved to our current apartment and there are quite a lot of them cawing and chucking in the parks and trees. They have a swagger, don’t they. Which is saying something because the Aussie birds (like the rest of our fauna and flora) are all pugnacious swagger and fight.
      When you do hunt it down make sure you come tell us how the wearing went on the SOTD thread.
      Portia xx