Heldon - Un Rêve Sans Conséquence Spéciale (1976)

 

Great Heldon album,probably my second favourite to 'Stand By' A very masterfull album indeed!
SC&ME

Reve sans Consequence Speciale" is my all-rime favourite Heldon album, and it is certainly the most aggressive of this French project's discography. For this one, Pinhas had a very effective partner in drummer/percussionist François Auger, who without doubt played a crucial role at enhancing Heldon's sonic power the way it is reflected in the album's repertoire. Other collaborators are synth player Patrick Gauthier, and bassists Didier Batard and Janick Top (of Magma fame). The featured presence of the rhythm section is based on a more pronounced role of the synthesized loops, and of course, Auger's intrepid drumming: some percussive stuff is frontally tribal, like a soundtrack for a wildest mystic trance. This album is pretty much like a constant ride though stormy weathered lands, with Pinhas' guitar lines and riffs assuming a higher level of aggressiveness than ever before: at times the guitar gets really violent, and as a Fripp-inspired guitarist, he keeps the guitar stuff very dissonant and floating. This intention is made clear from the opening track 'Marie Virginie C.' - the CD edition ends with a live rendition of this same number, which bears a slightly altered title. The 15- minute 'Toward the Line' is the longest track in the album, and it also represents firmly the line of work described before: this is as powerful as minimalistic rock with an electronic basis can ever get. 'Perspective IV Ter Muco' and 'MVD II' keep the same ideology, only with a decreased level of energy, but still these are strong numbers, designed, just like the other two, to shake the listener's aesthetic foundations rather than to make them enjoy (in a conventional sense of the word). The repetitive nature of this tracks' cadence may remind the listener of Can or Neu!, but with a more ballsy attitude - that comes from the Fripp influence, of course. 'Elephanta' is the only non- Pinhas number in the album. It was written by Auger, and it mostly consists of a hypnotic ritual of drums and assorted percussions "dancing" frantically to an eerie tempo, with Pinhas using his Moog as an extra percussive implement in order to give this ritual a more delirious texture. Well, I've got nothing else to say about this exciting album, except that it is a prog masterpiece. I know that Heldon is not your typical progressive band, and it even was labeled as "cyper-punk" by the French musical press; I also keep in mind that Heldon is not a band you might call particularly recommendable, since its style is overtly cryptic. But if we keep in mind that, generally speaking, modern experimentation is an essential ingredient of the greatest prog, and that Heldon's music is closely related to big prog names such as KC and Tangerine Dream, then I can only conclude that this is not only a very good progressive music album, but also a masterful example of the most experimental side of the prog movement. This is Heldon's most brilliant and cohesive album, and as such, I can only give it the maximum rating. Review from Progarchives.com.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Marie Virginie C (11:42)
2. Elephanta (8:29)
3. Perspective IV Ter Muco (Live, bonus track on CD) (5:25)
4. MVC II (6:13)
5. Toward The Red Line (15:16)
6. Marie Et Virginie Comp (Live, bonus track on CD) (9:36)

Total Time: 56:38

Line-up / Musicians

- Richard Pinhas / guitar, Moog B et III, EMS
- François Auger / drums, percussion
- Janick Top / bass, Fracello (4)
- Didier Batard / bass (3)
- Patrick Gauthier / Moog (1

 

Ruphus Zuphall - WEIß DER TEUFEL (1970)

This wonderful debut album by the roots-oriented German prog act made a big impression on me, when I bought it over ten years ago. This is one of the few albums which has stood the test of time, and listening to it is still gives me lots of enjoyment enriched with nostalgia. Though the music is impressionistic and wild, it mostly bluesy 70's rock oriented by jazz, folk and slightly psychedelic influences. I think that the most talented musician of the band is UDO DAHMEN playing the drums. There are evident classic jazz influences to be heard in his playing. KLAUS GÜLDEN's flute is also a good extra color in the band's palette, creating both soothing and chaotic sounds.

The album begins with "Walpurgisnacht", a stoned bluesy rocker in the vein of early JANE. The second song "Knight Of 3rd Degree" has Spanish and medieval elements in the music, and it's metaphorical lyrics are fine, making up this track as one of the top moments of this wonderful album. The following songs "Spanferkel" and "Freitag" are instrumental numbers, the last one having very insane and painful sounding guitar solo. The second side of the LP holds the title track "Weiß der Teufel", which concludes many different elements like Gershwin's "Summertime" and mad flute solos to a wonderful avant-garde rock epic. Very emotional and powerful stuff!

My copy of this album is a vinyl released by Little Wing, so it doesn't have the bonus live material from Aachen, but I have heard them from my "Avalon and On" boxed set, and at least the live version from their "Avalon Suite" is a good performance of a fine tune. A very recommendable album, and worth of five stars in my opinion. Review from Progarchives.com.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Walpurgisnacht (3:00)

2. Knight Of 3rd Degree (7:32)

3. Spanferkel (2:20)

4. Freitag (7:14)

5. Weiß der Teufel (17:09)

Total Time: 37:15 

Pulsar - Halloween (1977)

Here comes another 5-star rating for my all-time favourite French prog act. 'Halloween' is a stunning concept album in which Pulsar continues to explore in its own reflective mood and vibrant melancholy, though the symphonic aspect of their prog is notably enhanced by a couple of factors: the employment of a major range of instrumentation (the flautist also plays clarinet, the keyboards and percussions are more abundant, guests on cello and congas), and the programatic, almost cinematographic disposition of the sections comprised in both Parts of the material. The varied musical passages make fluid transitions from introspective melancholy ('Sorrow in My Dreams', the introductory section of 'Tired Answers') to mysterious agressiveness (the tribal 'Fear of Frost', the rocky section of 'Tired Answers') to sheer sweetness (the sung parts of 'Lone Fantasy' and 'Colours of My Childhood'), which shows you how well these musicians can deal with perfect compenetration while exhibiting their own individual skills for the whole group's benefit. The gloomy density and mysterious tone that flood all over "Halloween" reaches some occasional creepy peaks sometimes (the climatic synth leads on 'Fear of Frost' flow magically on the groovy rhythm section as expressing a dance of sinister creatures drunk in a metaphysical joy), but never in the sense of a ghost story or terror movie: I feel it more like a psychological thriller, a certain indefinite horror that comes from an instrospective point of view. An example comes from the comparison between the first two sections of Part II. The sung sections of 'Lone Fantasy' and 'Dawn Over Darkness' are equally melancholic with an overwhelming vibration, but the former is sustained on a controlled use of the basic melodies and textures, while the latter utilizes a more expansive colorfulness (the doubling of flute and clarinet and the soaring guitar leads are simply delicious). The last section features soaring dual keyboard layers aupon which a voice that imitates a castrato's Latin singing adds a weird sense of subtile humor to the overall mysterious vibe. If "The Strands of the Future" signified Pulsar's arrival to its stage of maximum maturity in the quest for their own voice, "Halloween" was a step forward in the evolution of that voice. Conclusion: an undisputed gem of French prog, whose special beauty and eerie unquietness can't be reached by human words. PULSAR Halloween music reviews and MP3 9 review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing 1. Halloween part I: (20:30)
a) Halloween song (1:20)
b) Tired answers (9:30)
c) Colours of childhood (6:00)
d) Sorrow in my dreams (3:40)
2. Halloween part II: (18:40)
a) Lone fantasy (4:50)
b) Dawn over darkness (6:10)
c) Misty garden of passion (2:15)
d) Fear of frost (3:35)
e) Time (1:50)

Total Time: 39:10

Line-up / Musicians - Victor Bosch / drums, percussion, vibes
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Michel Masson / bass guitar
- Roland Richard / flute, clarinet, acoustic piano, strings
- Jacques Roman / keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers,

PULSAR - Halloween Part1 (2/2)

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Pulsar - Pollen (1975)

One of the great French Prog bands was PULSAR who brought symphonia and space together to create some of the most enduring music of the 70's. Pretty clear FLOYD influences on this album who also acted as quite a catalyst for PULSAR in fact over the years. ''Pollen'' was the first album PULSAR officially released and represents a true milestone in French progressive rock. ''Pollen'' ebbs and flows with some fantastic analog symphonic passages, delicate flute and addictive acoustic/electric guitar, bass and drum interplay. PULSAR Pollen music reviews and MP3 ( Review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Pulsar (3:00)
2. Apaisement (7:30)
3. Puzzle / Omen (8:00)
4. Le cheval de Syllogie (7:00)
5. Pollen (13:05)

Total Time: 38:35

Line-up / Musicians

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / flute, strings
- Jacques Roman / keyboards, synths
- Philippe Roman / bass, vocals
- Carmel Williams / Voice

Pulsar - Pollen (1975)

Pulsar - Apaisement

Pulsar - Cheval de Syllogie 1975

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Pulsar - Strands Of The Future (1976)

Out of all the releases by this classic french progressive rock band, this one has to be my favourite.

With a much more symphonic moody and dreamy progressive sound this is an extremely well crafted album which  ties in perfectly with the strange artwork of the gatefold cover.

 This is mostly epic and colorfull stuff with spacey mellotrons , flute and guitars which on occasion delves deeper into trippy avant prog with flashes of Fripp. Very well recorded for the time, this is a must have ...for sure!

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Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The strands of the future (22:08)
2. Flight (2:37)
3. Windows (8:47)
4. Fool's failure (10:17)

Total Time: 43:49

Line-up / Musicians

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / flute, strings
- Jacques Roman / organ, Mellotron, bass, synthesizers

Progressive Rock - The Strands of the Future - PULSAR

Pulsar - 04 - Fool's Failure

Pulsar - 03 - Windows

Pulsar - Gorlitz (1989)

A surprisingly great album from one of Frances finest progressive rock bands, who in the 70's gave us such classics as 'Halloween' and 'Strands of The future'.

Strong on melodies and atmospherics this album has much of the bands trademark sound with 'Gandil's' warm and expressive vocals/ guitar counterpointing  nicely''richard' and 'romans' spacey progressive keyboard backdrops.

It's certainly more listenable than there previous album, which had far too many vocals and short tracks where at least here we are treated to the excellent long opening title track.

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Line-up / Musicians - Victor Bosch / drums, pertcussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / sax, keyboards
- Jacques Roman / piano, synthesizers
- Louis Paralis / bass
Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Görlitz (19:25)
2. Fin de voyage (4:00)
3. Naufrage (4:58)
4. Pour un autre départ (2:46)
5. Autour de toi (5:40)
6. Tara (3:00)

Total Time: 39:49

Meilleur du Rock Progressif Instrumental - (1995)

An excellent compilation of french instrumental progresive rock which features some of the best such as "Carpe Diem" and "Minimum Vital"

1 - Asia Minor / Dreadful Memories 2 44
2 - Edhels / October Dawns 6 16
3 - Minimum Vital / Ann Dey Floh 6 55
4 - Apocalypse / Notre Dame 4 16
5 - Carpe Diem / Naissance 3
6 - Tiemko / Atlas T 4 59
7 - Changing Images / The Tower 4 2
8 - Jean Pascal Boffo / Carrousel 4 6
9 - Ivory / Construction No 2 2 37
10 - Hadwaladyr / Kann ! 4 22
11 - Hecenia / L'Empreinte D'Uranus 6 54
12 - Bertrand Loreau / Soleil Blanc 4 8
13 - Terpandre / Histoire D'un P Cheur 5 53
14 - Bag / Anasha 4 43
15 - PatrickBroguiere / Ouverture De Broc Liand Custo 7 5

Halloween - Le Festin ( 2001)

With a guest female vocalist this makes "Le Festin" a little different to previous "Halloween" releases.

A touch lightly ethereal zeuhl styled in parts with the female vocals amidst the more dramatic sections. This is once again another excellent prog rock album which hearkens back to there earlier "Laz" record, in part, but not as classic. More on the darker side and varied but also with alternatively shifting moods which this band excells at.

The lovely female vocals certainly add another color to there pallette. Check out "Neurotic" below.

"Scheherezade" is another standout with the ethnic/ eastern sounding guitar. This is a very nice change of direction on this piece and probably my favourite track.

"Coma" has some extraordinarily heavy moments which pulses and pounds with some excellent jazzy guitar.

"Halloween" are certainly a band to watch with every anticipated release.

HALLOWEEN Le Festin music reviews and MP3

HALLOWEEN music, discography, MP3, videos and reviews

Halloween - Neurotic

New Gibraltar HALLOWEEN

One of the very best new French bands. While Laz their second has been hailed as a classic by some, I wouldn't go this far. It is excellent, but has some rather dull moments that leave this one hanging a bit short. If you didn't like it, than don't bother with their first either!
Crimson influenced french band that has a penchant for creating eerie tunes, sometimes with frightening-sounding vocals. The first album was merely OK, but the second one Laz really rips: Check out the track "Iron Mickey" on side two for proof true. One of the better current french bands.
Halloween is one of the newer French progressives, contemporaries of bands like Minimum Vital and Tiemko. I have their 1990 release titled Laz. Their influences are varied, but I do hear some Pulsar. Perhaps the band took their name from Pulsar's classic album, Halloween. There is some excellent, contemporary guitar playing, as well as excellent keyboard work, vociferous violin, and tasteful bass. In addition to the Pulsar, there is, at least superficially, some similaries to Minimum Vital and especially Tiemko's excellent release, Ocean. For the most part, however, the music sounds pretty original to my ears, often being very atmospheric in nature rather than solos against a backdrop of instrumentation. I believe the vocals are in English but they aren't found very often. Very well done and highly recommended.
Merlin is a superb third production from this French band. Hear four excellent musicians share violin, guitars, basses, keyboards, lute, drums, percussions, vocals. Also add participation by two string quartets (strings and winds) as well as guests on voice and flute. This impressive production offers inventive music and a variety of arrangements that range from chamber music to heavy symphonic, to jazz-rock fusion. Medieval themes are developed in music, song and words (in French) in the format of a captivating suite. The richness of this music dictates sustained attention by the listener. -- Paul Charbonneau

Wapassou - Salammbo (1977)

Wapassou were a unique french band in that they had no drummer and created a spacey ethereal classical tinged electric progressive rock with synths and violin at the fore. On occasions there are some very nice female vocals too.

What is striking about "Wapassou" is there very individual sound. I can't think of anyone else who sounds quite like them.

Incorporating elements of RIO, progressive rock and classical rock with folky tinges makes there mixes very grandiose and distinct.

"Salammbo" with it's "Gustav Dore" album design is one of there best yet not often cited as so. Just 2 long flowing tracks that are very illuminating and uplifting.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Salammbo Part 1 (18:04)
2. Salammbo Part 2 (19:05)

Total Time: 37:09

Line-up / Musicians

- Freddy Brua / keyboards
- Jacques Lichti / violin
- Karen Nickerl / guitars

Arachnoid - Arachnoid (1978)

A major progressive band whose music combined the strengths of other French symphonic groups and dark progressive rock that recalled the dark sound of "King Crimson". At times almost like "Univers Zero's" intensity too. This is very much though in the "King Crimson" style and very acconplished sounding too, with excellent frippian guitars.

There's more than a nod also to, "Pulsar","Shylock" & "Pink Floyd!

"Arachnoids" 1978 self-titled album is one of France’s finest progressive albums of the 70’s, and is a minor classic. The first four tracks are the best and are the most complicated structured and intriguing classically-inspired instrumentals.

Recommended for all adventurous progressive fans!

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Le Chamadere (13:49)
2. Piano Caveau (7:18)
3. In the Screen Side Of Your Eyes (4:03)
4. Toutes Ces Images (8:04)
5. La Guepe (8:39)
6. L'Adieu Au Pierrot (0:57)
7. Final (3:02)

Bonus titles:
8. L'Hiver (4:14)
9. Le Pierrot (5:07)
10. L'Adieu (3:20)
11. Piano Caveau (instrumental) (7:15)

Total Time: 66:25

Line-up / Musicians

- Francois Faugieres / organ, Mellotron, vocals
- Pierre Kuti / acoustic and electric pianos, synths
- Bernard Mini / drums
- Marc Meryl / lead vocals, tambourine
+ Philippe Honore / flute, saxophone
- Yves Javault / vocals
- Christine Mariey / voice
- Martine Rateau / voice
- Patrick Woindrich / bass, guitar, vocals
- Nicolas Popowski / guitar, vocals

Halloween - Laz (1990)

A classic in 90's French symphonic rock.

"Halloweens" "Laz" is entirely based around writer H.P Lovecrafts works. So in keeping with the theme this is dark and mysteriously strange symphonic rock which is actually reminiscent in feel to "Pulsars" masterwork " Halloween".

Every song is really great, the only slightly sour point being that the vocals are sung in english and to say the least are very difficult to understand. Lyric sheet required!

Stand outs are " Yule Horror" " Iron Mickey" "Laz" and "Blue Nightmare" which has some excellent drum/percussive work.

If you like your symphonic progressive rock on the darker and more mysterious side ( like me) then this is a must, and especially if you enjoy bands like "Pulsar" which to be honest are few and far between.

 


Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The Wood (6:48)
2. Waltz (5:49)
3. Just for You (4:43)
4. Yule Horror (6:38)
5. Iron Mickey (6:31)
6. Blue Nightmare (6:42)
7. Laz (9:42)

Total Time: 51:40

Line-up / Musicians - Gilles Coppin / synthesizers, vocals, backing vocals
- Jean-Philippe Brun / violin, guitar, vocals
- Philippe Di Faostino / drums, percussion
- Yann Honoré / bass

Neo - Neo (1980)

An obscure French band whose sole album is a really classic fiery spacey progressive rock instrumental with absolutely scorching guitarwork throughout and theres lots of nice sax work too.

The pace does let up a little on tracks "Joiwind" and "Plage 2" which are excellent full on melodic synth based tracks with some "Klaus Schulze" type sound.

An amazing album for sure and a splendid mix of light and dark space rock fusion elements

1 Osibirsk
2 Scene de Chasse
3 Joiwind
4 Neoplasme
5 Sortie de bain
6 Plage 2


Line Up

Bass Guitar - André Paul
Drums, Percussion -Ric Haven
Guitar -André Pélerin
Keyboards -Schlapp
Saxophone, Flute -Didier Erard

Et Cetera - Et Cetera (1976)

A French-Canadian progressive band, Et Cetera will undoubtedly appeal to "Gentle Giant" fans. The major difference being though the vocals , as we have here a female vocalist, and a good one too.

Very tight and impressively played music with myriads of intricasies and complexities.

Besides " Gentle Giant" there's also just a hint of "Pulsar" and "Focus" in places. In fact some of the classical and electric guitar solos reminds me a little of " Jan Akkerman"

A very nice album indeed then ,every tyrack is really excellent with plenty of variety in the instrument department.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. La Musique Tourne (4:04)
2. Éclaircie (5:14)
3. Entre Chien Et Loup (7:02)
4. Apostrophe (4:49)
5. Newton Avait Raison (4:11)
6. L'Age Dort (4:34)
7. Tandem (6:08)

Total Time: 36:02

Line-up / Musicians

- Marie Bernard Pagé / keyboards, ondes Martenot, vocals
- Denis Chartrand / keyboards, flute, saxophone, vibraphone, vocals
- Pierre Dragon / drums, percussion
- Robert Marchand / guitars, vocals
- Alain Yves Pigeon / bass, cello, vocals

Heldon - Interface (1978)

The French "Heldon" was formed in the 70's by guitarist "Richard Pinhas".

Synthesizer / sequencer and Frippian guitar dominates nearly all of there albums.

"Interface" in particular is very intense with elements of Zeuhl and "King Crimson" progressive like guitar explorations, with a heady dose of mechanical and chaotic experimentalism. There's also some Can like sound in there too.

Not really there most accessible album for the most part, but nonetheless excellent when your into there sound, which is quite unique really. The title track "Interface"
is the highlight of the album. A lengthy instrumental which sounds like "Weidorje" and "King Crimson" on a bender .

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Les soucoupes volantes vertes (2:28)
2. Jet Girl: in New York or Paris, equivalent / in south Bronx (9:53)
3. Bal-a-fou (7:25)
4. Le fils des soucoupes volantes vertes (1:56)
5. Interface (19:02)

Total Time: 40:44

Line-up / Musicians

- Richard Pinhas / Moog III et B, guitar, electronics
- François Auger / drums, synthesizer, composition (4)
- Didier Batard / bass (4)
- Patrick Gauthier / Minimoog, composition (3), Moog bass

Dun - Eros ( 1985 )

"Eros" is an incredible album, and ranks as some of the best prog to come out of France. DÜN's brand of prog is complex, aggressive, and fast of ideas. It owes plenty to Zeuhl, but listeners will find tons of ZAPPA, Indonesian gamelan, and fusion-jazz influences. The CD consists of four 10-minute epics from the original album, and 4 bonus tracks (3 of which are early live versions of album tracks). Some of the featured instruments include flutes, vibraphones, and synths. But, like most Zeuhl music, the bass and drums play a very dominant role. The guitarist even adds a fusion sound to the compositions that is rather unique. Overall, "Eros" ranks right up there with ESKATON's "4 Vision". Review from Progarchives.com

Consisting of only four tracks Dun's ' Eros' is another excellent zeuhl styled album, but also has a heavy dose of RIO mixed in there.

Hailing from France, this was Dun's one and only release. Mores the pity really.

Based on writer Frank Herberts Dune , Arrakis kicks of the album which starts simply, meanders somewhat before exploding into chaos which recalls the battle for Arrakis. All of this ,(as is the entire album) is excellently played with much dexterity in the bass , percussion, guitar, departments. There's also some really nice xylophone and flute playing.

Another highly recommended zeuhl syled album. Probably will appeal more to those who like there zeuhl with myriads of complexities and more RIO styled.


The bonus tracks are alternative versions.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. L'Epice (9:25)
2. Arrakis (9:36)
3. Bitonio (7:09)
4. Eros (10:17)
5. Bitonio (alternate) (10:20)
6. Arrakis (alternate) (5:07)
7. Eros (alternate) (7:11)
8. Acoustic Fremen (unreleased) (6:17

Total Time: 65:22

Line-up

/ Musicians - Laurent Bertaud / drums
- Jean Geeraerts / electric guitar, acoustic guitar
- Bruno Sabathe / piano, synthesizers
- Alain Termol / percussions
- Thierry Tranchant / bass
- Pascal Vandenbulcke / flutes