The first real Northwinds line-up dates back as far as 1990, when Vincent Niclas (guitars, vocals) joined R.I.P, the band Sébastien Thuriez (guitars), Remy Rateau (bass) and Sylvain Auvé (drums, vocals ) founded 3 years before. Being into Trouble, Saint Vitus, Candlemass as well as into 70s French Folk/Prog bands like Ange and Alan Stivell, Vincent was more than welcome in R.I.P.
In 1994 R.I.P. reached at last the demo-recording stage, and their first serious one was released in 1995. This tape was the result of two separate recording sessions and displayed the band’s love for all things related to 70s Heavy and Progressive Rock, NWOBHM and Doom Metal. The band then broke with the name R I. P. and became Northwinds.
The “Great God Pan promo 96” being recorded the good news at this point came from an Italian label, Black Widow Records. They offered Northwinds a recording contract : this quickly led to the release of the Northwinds first LP, “Great God Pan” in 1998.
Founding member Sébastien had to quit because of day-job duties. David Marcos offered his services.
Unfortunately, David suddenly chose to change his all life, severing the ties with his previous friends and relatives, including his mates in Northwinds.
Due to the fact Sylvain was also playing with Thomas Bastide (guitar) and Benjamin Leclere(bass) in a Saint Vitus , The Obsessed and Count Raven cover band, he naturally offered his two partners a stint in Northwinds. They helped to complete the 2nd lp/cd “Masters of Magic”, out in 2001, and a St. Vitus cover song as well, the song finally appears on their brand new lp/cd “Winter”. And finally in late 2002 the addition of a new members, full-time keyboardist Emmanuel Peyraud. Fall 2003, after the departure of bassist Benjamin Leclere entered Thomas Boivin. The new line-up re-recorded tracks for the third lp/cd “Chimères” and played at the Doom Shall Rise festival in 2004. “Chimères” was finally released in 2006.
Soon after the recording of a third demo in 2006, the band had to face the departure of Vincent Niclas. Against all odds, the band completed the demos and then recorded their 4th lp/cd “ Winter” and their 5th lp/cd “Eternal winter” from 2009 to 2011.
With “Winter” released in 2012, a track on the “Long Live Metal vol 2” compil and a recent participation in the “Doom over Paris V” festival, Northwinds are showing they are still a “going concern”!
And now finally we can announce the “Eternal Winter” release…second chapter of the concept began with previous “Winter”… not only a true doom metal band… the progressive attitude of the band is trademark of Northwinds.