BIOGRAPHY
1990-summer 2003

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, blessed was he also with his Paul Chain- styled voice.

Remy had to leave the band for professional reasons, while Sylvain had to do his military service . It was nevertheless a fruitful break, a good opportunity for refreshing the
band's ambitions.

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, named after a R. I. P.'s song (in fact one of the first written with Vincent.)

Then Vincent got he help of a fellow musician called Marco to develop his songwriting in Folk music. NORTHWINDS entered at this time into a new chapter of their history with keyboards and flute becoming a trademark of their sound.

For NORTHWINDS, the good news at this point came from an Italian label, Black Widow Records. They had listened to the first untitled demo and offered NORTHWINDS a recording contract with the sole proviso the band emphasizes the keyboards and flute presence . The "Great God Pan promo 96" being recorded already and matching the Black Widow demands, this quickly led to the release of the NORTHWINDS first LP, "Great God Pan" in 1998.

Then came troubled times : founding member Sébastien had to quit because of day-job duties, leaving Vincent and Sylvain working together to keep the band alive (with additional help from Marco), with the full support of their label. Indeed, Black Widow gave the then reduced NORTHWINDS line-up the opportunity to record 3 songs during this rather difficult period:'The Mask Of Satan' ( in "E Tu Vivrai Nel Terrore…", a grandiose tribute to the film scores of the classic Italian horror movies), 'The Night Of The Witch' ( featured in a tribute album dedicated to the famous and cult Italian band DEATH SS ) and 'Over the Mountain' (featured later on the 2nd NORTHWINDS LP).

After a rehearsal, while Vincent and Sylvain had a talk about the difficulty to find a suitable additional guitarist, a guy called David Marcos, who had picked up bits of the conversation, offered his services. David gave a jolt to the band, and one can hear a proof of that in three songs composed at that time (namely 'Lost Paradise', 'Entre Chien Et Loup' and a cover of the cult British band BLACK WIDOW,'Way To Power').

Unfortunately, David suddenly chose to change his all life, severing the ties with his previous friends and relatives, including his mates in NORTHWINDS. So the band came back to the awkward duet form with Vincent and Sylvain still working and composing new songs, in order to come up with the successor of the well-received "Great God Pan". In fact they began to be aware the NORTHWINDS name was spread around in the Doom circuit, where the band was more than often seen as the second coming of WITCHFINDER GENERAL, that putting the bar very high. 'Dancin' In Moonlight', 'Violet Rainbow' (both on the "Master Of Magic" LP) and 'Master of Magic' (to be featured on the yet untitled 3rd LP ) were composed during this time.

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. At first they worked on a cover version of 'Clear Windowpane' for a VITUS tribute album. The fun and good vibes were there, so Thomas and Benjamin joined NORTHWINDS on a permanent basis. and are featured in two songs (the aforementioned 'Dancin' In Moonlight' and 'Violet Rainbow' that found their way in the sophomore NORTHWINDS LP, "Master Of Magic", out in 2001.)

Everything seemed to be all right then concerts, recordings sessions…And finally in late 2002 the addition of a new member, full-time keyboardist Emmanuel Peyraud. His different musical background as well as his will to design sounds has given a new boost to NORTHWINDS compositions .

In need of more action, Benjamin decided to leave the band just after the recording process of the final tracks for the yet untitled 3rd LP due to be released in Fall 2003. It just took a phone call to find the perfect replacement: enter Thomas Boivin! The guy is a workaholic and shows a real passion for music. His kindness is as great as his skills are.

This new line-up works so good now that the band is more than ever confident about its future, AGAINST ALL ODDS!!!!