Search - Univers Zero :: Ceux De Dehors

An RIO/Zeuhl prog masterpiece!

Mathias Jonsson | Enköping, Sweden | 05/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third and best Univers Zero album, and on this one they adopt a grander, more symphonic sound, without losing their high originality. The music is quite dark (though less so than on the previous album "Heresie"), and its quite dissonant and very strange and gothic. One of the tracks on this album is inspired by a H.P. Lovecraft story, and its Lovecraft's mixture of the gothic and the strange that one comes to think of, when hearing this album. Also there is a Belgian folkmusic tone here, as well as echoes of medieval music. The music also has a strong melancholy beauty amidst the gothic strangeness. The emphasis in the sound is on the interplay between woodwind (oboe, english horn, bassoon), violi/viola, harmonium,piano, organ, mellotron, electric bass and drums. Especially the sound of harmonium is so atypical of this Belgian group. The musicians are very tight, and their playing is very impressive. Especially woodwindplayer Michel Berckmans shines brightly here. Most of the compositions are very strong, the last two or three aren't, but it doesn't matter that much as the rest of the music is so brilliant. One can definitely hear echoes of Magma (most notably in Guy Segers'bassplaying) but also in the intensity of the music. One could also say that should Béla Bartók have composed for a progressive band it would probably have sounded like this. This album is definitely the highwater-mark of the "Rock In Oppostion" progressive music movement intitiated by Henry Cow's Chris Cutler. For those who thinks that Prog was dead as a music force during the Eighties this album proves them wrong. This album has my highest recommendation, it's a masterpiece indeed!"

Challenging, Yet Rewarding

Felipe Pelussi | Vinhedo, SP Brazil | 10/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The third CD from a legendary band, Ceux du Dehors proves that Univers Zero were far from drought of ideas. It would be unlikely to say that this effort alternate styles, transposes from different moods, because it is centered in just one very gloomy act, it flerts through darkness and only. The album opens up with "Dense", a 12 minute piece that gets heavy on horns and bassoons, soon after moving to a more direct symphonic song called "Bonjour Chez Vouz". "Combat" might be the highlight here, beginning with a kind of marching (as the own title suggests) and then turning to a quiet moment in the second part. Ceux du Dehors also includes a funeral march in "La Tete du Corbeau", propably the darkest song of the entire album, foregoing the closer (and my favourite) "Triomphe des Mouches", a five minute piece that reminds NIN's introspection, using haunting drums and great piano and organ. I have to warn you that this isn't an easy album, even if you're used to other experimental bands like Radiohead. This album may take while to grow on you, but soon you'll see how good it is."

AN INSTANT CLASSIC FOR ME

Noel Pratt | Washington, D.C., and better places | 09/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is so good, and it's my first exposure to this great ensemble. The only criticism I have at all is that the album ends in too abrupt and arbitrary a fashion. Maybe there's a reason, but it's not apparent after the first few listenings. It's sharp, progressive music that has a consistent mood throughout. Highly recommended."