Rome's Novembre are a band that have made a solid impression upon both the death metal and atmospheric metal scenes with equally strong results. Word about the group has spread among the underground scene on a worldwide basis ever since their inception. It was back in September 1990 when the two brothers Carmelo Orlando (guitars and vocals) and Giuseppe Orlando (drums) formed the band Catacomb. About a year later, in November 1991 they released their first demo, Unreal. Despite its poor sound-quality it immediately raised peoples' interests among the then-flourishing death metal scene. The 7" EP The Return Of The Ark (released by Sacra Sindore Records) followed in early 1993 and due to its unusual mix of melancholic gothic doom with classic influences caused even more exposure and popularity in the world-wide underground. Soon after they renamed the band Novembre, as the former moniker did not feel to represent the band's quickly and steadily progressing sound anymore. Things finally seemed in perfect place and around the same time Novembre signed to Polyphemus Records. In fall of 1994 the band recorded their highly-acclaimed debut, Wish I Could Dream It Again..., in Dan Swano's Unisound studios. This was right around the same time when other leaders of the then just-growing atmospheric scene recorded their first and early albums as well, making Novembre among the first bands inventing and playing this sound.
After two more years of hard work Novembre released their second album, Arte Novecento, which showed the band developing into an even darker direction. In spring of 1997 Massimiliano Pagliuso (guitars) joined the band as a second guitarist, and in April of 1998 Alessandro Niola (bass) teamed up with Novembre, just shortly before they inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. After months of intense rehearsals their third album, Classica, was recorded at the band's own The Outer Studios in Rome in Summer 1999 and mixed in Andy LaRocque's famous Los Angered Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. Classica was supported by a European tour with Moonspell, Kreator and Witchery in January, 2000, as well as by a gig at Leipzig's Wave Gotik Treffen Festival. Since the show went down great they were invited for the following year's edition as well. Originally, Classica's successor was scheduled for early 2001, but first drummer Giuseppe had to undergo serious back-surgery which set them back until October 2001. Strengthened by his revitalized health and creative force they entered The Outer Sound Studios again to record Novembrine Waltz. In order to add the icing to the cake they went to Sound Suite Studios near Marseilles and mixed the album with producer Terje Refsnes (Tristania, Sins Of Thy Beloved, Morgul). During November and December, 2001, the band supported the album on a European tour along with the outstanding talents of their old friends from Opeth and Katatonia which marked one of the many highlights in their career.
Even though things were progressing superly, Novembre felt it was time for a little journey into their past: Wish I Could Dream It Again... sold out extremely quickly and is nowadays a highly sought-after rarity. Many of the new fans who missed the chance to purchase the album back then are now eager to get it and more than willing to overspend for a second-hand copy. In light of this situation, Novembre decided to record the songs of Wish I Could Dream It Again… once more in their own Outer Sound Studio during the summer of 2002, both to give a new sound-treatment to these formidable and well-regarded tunes, and to give fans the possibility to complete their Novembre collection. To mark the difference between "old" and "new" versions and avoid further confusion, the band decided to rename the album with the title Dreams d'Azur. Still, one thing which contributes to make this album an exquisitely honest recreation is the appearance of the former band members Thomas Negrini on keyboards and Antonio Poletti on guitars. Furthermore they enlisted Fabio Fraschini as session bassist for the recording of Dreams d'Azur. A perfect mixture of heavy guitar tunes of progressive Death Metal and the melancholy of Gothic Rock, Dreams d'Azur is both modern and timeless. The album will be released on Century Media Records on November 25th and so finally both old and new fans who missed their chance at the original version can now find this improved edition at their corner music shop. Dreams d'Azur is an enlightenment to all those people listening to Novembre for the first time. Put on the headphones, find a comfortable chair and behold this inspiring, mesmerizing re-release of a true classic of dark and atmospheric Metal music.
Source: http://www.novembre.nu/
