On disc: Novembre

 
- Classica
 
- Amir Djawadi -
 
 


 
- Classica
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- Novembrine Waltz
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- Dreams d'Azur
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Dreams d'Azur

(Century Media - 2002)



 
 

 

The Orlando brothers started way back in 1990 with Catacomb. In 1995 they released as Novembre their debut which was titled Wish I Could Dream It Again... which soon got them the attention of the death / dark metal fans in their home country Italy as well as around the world. It didn't take long to sell out the copies. In 2000 they released Classica through  Century Media and soon their "frozen music" made them known. About a year later they released Novembrine Waltz. More and more fans were looking for the debut of this outstanding band. Carmelo and Guiseppe Orlando decided to make it available for their old and new fans, coz it was hard to find a second hand copy. But just to re-release would be to simple and so the Rome-based band decided to re-record the songs with the original members and session bassist Fabio Fraschini at their own Outer Sound Studios. And so now Dreams d'Azur brings new versions of the early work to the listeners. On this release the dark atmospheric death metal is sounding fresh, even if the songs are old this sounds up-to-date. The Italians created timeless sounds years ago. A certain progressiveness is in their music right from the beginning. Unusual for death metal bands are tracks like Swim Seagull In The Sky which is more then 8 minutes long. Or the 12 minutes long opus Marea which has 3 parts. But also the song Novembre is unusual, coz of Guiseppe Orlando's drum beats which are more based in the progressive music world then in death metal. Unfortunately I don't know the original versions and so I can't compare them, but in my opinion this album is a must buy for fans of atmospheric death / dark metal!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Novembrine Waltz

(Century Media - 2001)



 
 

 

Novembrine Waltz is for most metal fans the second time they experience the frozen music of the Italians. In comparison with their 2000 release Classica the new one offers a larger variety. The opening track reminds me a little bit of Moonspell.... Anyway, the track Distance shows the whole sound spectrum of the trio which shows their roots from death metal (growls), black metal (musically) combined with breaks and partly melodic vocal lines. But it is obvious that they don't limit themselves, influences from Pink Floyd and singers like Tori Amos are there. Novembrine Waltz is a more mature album then Classica, the circumstances made them stronger, health problems and line-up changes couldn't stop them. The Orlando Bros. developed their own style out of the mix of their influences. Classica showed the way and the tour with Moonspell in spring 2000 might influence them as well.

A metal band has to have a lot of self-confidence to cover a hit from Kate Bush and the Rome-based band gave it a try. For the vocals of Cloudbusting they got former The 3rd And The Mortal singer Ann-Mari Edvardsen.

Musically they didn't changed the song that much, their version is close to the original just heavier and more intense through the use of guitars instead of keyboards.

The band always manages to keep their songs interesting even if all songs (except Cloudbusting) are more than 6 min. long. The first 2 tracks are heavy and partly aggressive, then the trio slows down a little and can be compared with acts like Opeth or Katatonia, but that just one side of Novembre.

They try to create a certain atmosphere, but changes of tempi, breaks and unexpected growls make this CD an interesting piece of music for every open-minded metal head.

Finally I can say that this album is a huge step forward for the band and if no more difficulties get in their way they soon can be named together with Opeth and Katatonia. They do have the talent and it might just be a question of time for them to become part of the premier league of this genre.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Classica

(Century Media - 2000)



 
 

 

The title of this CD as well as the band name are irritating. Even the first 20 seconds make you believe that this is offering modest sounds, but when the vocals join in this hope is gone!

Melodic arrangements are there, even if the drums are a little rough, the instrumental part is quite good, but when shouter Carmelo Orlando starts to 'sing' all harmony is gone.

The CD contains 10 songs of the 1990 founded band, even if in the beginning they had a different name. In 1993 they had their first release and since that day they continuously developed. Notable in my opinion is that the band name Dream Theater as their influence and inspiration beside the classical heavy metal bands and classic composers.

It's hard for me to label their sound, coz they combine gothic, doom, death and other elements to a certain outstanding sound.

Surely there are aspects in their music which take time to get used to, but at all I can say that it's worth giving a try.
 
 










Amir Djawadi
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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Classica

(Century Media - 2000)



 
 

 

The band been founded back in fall 1990 after Carmelo and Guiseppe Orlando moved from Catana in Sicily to Rome and formed the band Catacomb. In 1993 they decided to rename the band into Novembre. In 1994 the band recorded their debut Wish I Could Dream Again... at Dan Swanö's Unisound Studios. Two years later the band returned with Arte Novocento. Classica is their 3rd release and the first one with Century Media. They still mix different styles and genres! If you listen to Classica you'll find black, death and thrash elements and also reminiscences of Bathory, Voivod, Slayer, Metallica and Dream Theater says the biography of Novembre! A very own mixture of sounds which you have to check out, perhaps you'll like them or you'll hate them!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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