UNIVERS ZERO [AKA: 1313]

Univers Zero have a reputation of being one of the darkest bands within the world of prog-rock (and therefore rock in general), and the beginnings of this reputation can certainly be heard on the group's debut release. The instrumentation responsible for this mood is largely acoustic, the only excpetions being Christian Genet's bass and Roger Trigaux's guitar, which, when used, remains clean and without attraction. The other instruments are violin, bassoon, viola, pocket cello, harmonium, spinet, and drums. The result is an earthy, no frills feeling, which, combined with the compositions of drummer/leader Daniel Denis, and guitarist Roger Trigaux bring about an inquisitive darkness that doesn't send you running, but tempts you and makes you its own.

The two composers both use rhythm as the driving point behind the five pieces present on 1313. While there is complexity abound with shifting 8th note time signatures and the odd syncopated passage, the music still feels very solid. But at the same time, the rhythmic force doesn't over-extend itself, nor does the drumming take centre stage at all. In fact, it seems more as if the drumming is being dictated to by the instrumentation rather than the other way round. This results in some very interesting drumming, which is barely recognizable as rock drumming. Instead, Denis focuses on following and colouring the rhythm of the bass. He really does create some fantastic drumming. However, i don't mean to make it sound like 1313 is completely devoid of melody, far from it. The bassoon is given some haunting melodies, while the strings enjoy flights of their own, often at the same time as the other instruments. And then lurking somewhere in the shadows you'll hear Emmanuel Nicaise's figers at work on his harmonium or spinet. We also have all seven musicians interacting and forging those uneasy, dark atmospheres Univers Zero is so enjoyed for. The combination of the rhythmic drive with the ebony colouring of pitch completes the picture of our landscape, thick with anxiety and depression, as well as a touch of morbid curiosity.

It's difficult to pick any standouts to be completely honest. On first listen i found the album to be quite underwhleming actually, despite the fact that i had heard and loved quite a few Univers Zero songs, including the 4th on this album - Malaise. However, it only took a second listen the following day for my mind to change. And now i really can't put any of the tracks down. Nor can i pick a prefered composer of the two. Denis has perhaps a more brooding, drawing-out style here, with enough dynamic to capture your imagination, but also allowing his pieces to assume a slow, ominous character. Trigaux seems to be slightly more lively and dynamic, but there is little sacrifice of brooding. There really is no difference in quality.

There are rare moments where i first thought that perhaps the two composers could have been a little more creative with a rhythm or melody, or that maybe an extra woodwind like a clarinet or oboe could have lent even more descriptions to the group's arsenal, but then perhaps this would have unsettled the balance between rhythm and melody. Anyway, this thought has pretty much vanished and i'm quite happy with the album exactly the way it is. It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's definitely worth a look!