Novembre is an iconic Italian atmospheric metal band formed in 1990 by brothers Carmelo and Giuseppe Orlando. Emerging from the early death metal underground, they evolved into pioneers of the European atmospheric and progressive doom scene with landmark albums such as Wish I Could Dream It Again…, Classica, Novembrine Waltz, Materia, and The Blue. After a long hiatus, the band returned with URSA (2016) and now with their ninth studio album Words of Indigo, produced by Dan Swanö and featuring Ann-Mari Edvardsen. With a renewed lineup and a legacy of innovation, Novembre continues to push the boundaries of emotional, immersive metal.

NOVEMBRE ANNOUNCE ITALIAN TOUR DATES

NOVEMBRE RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM WORDS OF INDIGO – (7 NOVEMBER)

NEW SINGLE ‘HOUSE OF RAIN’ OUT TODAY WITH NEW VIDEO. FEATURES GUEST VOCALIST ANN-MARI EDVARDSEN

THE NINTH STUDIO ALBUM FROM THE LONGSTANDING ITALIAN PIONEERS OF ATMOSPHERIC AND MELODIC DOOM/DEATH METAL

NOVEMBRE RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM WORDS OF INDIGO – (7 NOVEMBER)

NEW SINGLE ‘YOUR HOLOCENE’ OUT NOW

‘URSA’ is the seventh and latest album from Italy’s atmospheric death/doom metal purveyors, Novembre.

NOVEMBRE BIOGRAPHY

Novembre’s origins trace back to September 1990, when brothers Carmelo Orlando (guitars, vocals) and Giuseppe Orlando (drums) formed their first band, Catacomb. About a year later, in November 1991, they released their debut demo Unreal. Despite its raw sound, the recording quickly attracted attention within the rising death metal underground.

In early 1993, the band issued the 7’’ EP The Return of the Ark through Sacra Sindore Records. Its unusual blend of melancholic gothic doom, classic influences, and death metal elements generated significant underground exposure. Soon after, the band changed its name to Novembre, feeling the original moniker no longer reflected their rapidly evolving musical identity. Around this time, Novembre signed with Polyphemus Records.

In the fall of 1994, the band recorded their acclaimed debut album Wish I Could Dream It Again… at Dan Swanö’s Unisound Studios—during the same creative wave that saw many foundational atmospheric metal acts shaping the genre. Novembre quickly emerged among the pioneers of this nascent sound.

Two years later, Novembre released their second album, Arte Novecento, a deeper and darker evolution of their style. In the spring of 1997, guitarist Massimiliano Pagliuso joined the lineup, and by late 1998 the band signed a worldwide deal with Century Media Records.

Months of intense rehearsal led to Classica, recorded in 1999 at the band’s Outer Sound Studios in Rome and mixed by Andy LaRocque at Los Angered Studios in Gothenburg. Released in early 2000, Classica was supported by a European tour with Moonspell, Kreator, and Witchery, as well as an appearance at Leipzig’s Wave Gotik Treffen Festival, where their performance earned them an invitation to return the following year.

The follow-up, Novembrine Waltz, was recorded once again at Outer Sound Studios and mixed at Sound Suite Studios in Marseille by producer Terje Refsnes (Tristania, Sins of Thy Beloved, Morgul). The album was supported by a European tour alongside longtime friends Opeth and Katatonia in late 2001—a highlight in the band’s career.

With Wish I Could Dream It Again… long sold out and increasingly sought after, Novembre chose to revisit their debut. In summer 2002, they re-recorded the album—joined by former members Thomas Negrini (keyboards) and Antonio Poletti (guitars)—and released it under a new name: Dreams d’Azur. The reinterpretation preserved the spirit of the original while giving fans access to a modern, definitive version of the songs.

As tensions grew between the band and their label, both parties amicably agreed to part ways. Their newfound independence quickly drew the attention of Peaceville Records—an iconic label whose legacy deeply influenced Novembre’s artistic DNA. It was a natural pairing.

Beginning in 2004, the band focused on creating what would become Materia, their fifth and most celebrated release. Written in isolation and recorded at Outer Sound Studios, the album’s rhythm guitars and final mix were completed at Helsinki’s Finnvox Studios. Released in April 2006, Materiamarked a creative peak and led to major performances, including two UK shows supporting My Dying Bride in 2005.

Immediately afterward, Novembre began work on The Blue, recorded through 2006–2007 at Outer Sound Studios and mixed again at Finnvox. The artwork was created by renowned artist Travis Smith, and a video was produced for the opening track “Anaemia.” Released in late 2007, The Blue was widely praised, particularly by fans of the band’s earlier, heavier works. Live appearances included a UK tour with Paradise Lost.

As the music industry underwent a severe collapse and the digital era reshaped global markets, the band chose to retreat into a period of dormancy. This long hiatus allowed each member to re-evaluate personal and artistic priorities. Eventually, Giuseppe Orlando departed to focus on other projects.

Carmelo, however, continued composing. Reuniting creatively with Massimiliano, he entered the studio in May 2015 to craft a new album. The project brought in exceptional musicians: bassist Fabio Fraschini (also featured on Materia), drummer David Folchitto, and Anders Nyström of Katatonia, who contributed a standout solo to the single “Annoluce.” Dan Swanö—who shaped the band’s earliest material and helped define an era of death and atmospheric metal—handled mixing and mastering.

The result was URSA, Novembre’s seventh album and the first to introduce socially conscious, animal-rights–themed lyrics. Released on March 25th, 2016 by Peaceville Records, URSA was supported by an extensive European tour and major festival appearances, including Rock in Rome with British gore-metal pioneers Carcass and the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise from Miami to the Caribbean.

Toward the end of 2019, just as the band prepared to begin their next album, the global COVID-19 pandemic halted all activity indefinitely. Rather than begin a project that might be delayed or frozen for years, the band chose to wait until a full return to normal life was possible, ensuring that the new material would genuinely represent their creative identity.

With the world reopened, Novembre began forging their ninth studio album in November 2022: Words of Indigo.

Once again, the band entrusted production to Dan Swanö. The album also features a stunning vocal performance by Ann-Mari Edvardsen (ex–The 3rd and the Mortal), who joins Carmelo on the haunting track “House of Rain.”

During this period, longtime guitarist Massimiliano Pagliuso decided to pursue a career outside the music world. However, the band welcomed renewed energy into the lineup: bassist Fabio Fraschiniofficially rejoined, accompanied by Alessio Erriu (guitars), Federico Albanese (guitars), and Yuri Croscenko (drums). This new formation marks a bold and revitalized chapter in Novembre’s evolution.