Danse Macabre - Dark Illusion (2018) [EP]

Hi, Admin, I don't remember if I've ever told you about a French band, Danse Macabre, that formed for just one release. This very short-lived band was composed of various members of other bands, the most famous of which was Patrick Blain (singer/leader) of Charles de Goal, who was also the owner of the most famous underground record store in Paris at the time, New Rose.

They recorded a six-track album, some of which were barely rehearsed or even improvised. The result is a masterpiece that quickly sold out. (1983)

It wasn't reissued until 2006. I hope you can find it.

HYPNAS, I found this:)

Danse Macabre - Untitled (2006) [EP Reissue]

admin, Really Amazing!!! What a challenge you took on!! Thank you so much!!!

admin, Can I suggest another band for you?

HYPNAS, yes of course, you can suggest a bands) I will also try to add to the site, if I can find it in acceptable quality. I still have a few groups left from your recommendations from last year (I keep a list), the material is slowly being collected...

admin,Okay! Cool. I don't remember exactly the entire list I sent you, but I'm thinking of a Parisian band, Les Maîtres, who only released one cassette in 1983 but who remains in our memories. https://www.discogs.com/fr/re
lease/1184266-Les-Maîtres-Les
-Maîtres

The themes covered are mainly pain, religion, hell, and demons. A two-CD reissue was released in 2011.

I'm also thinking of another band (Belgian this time), Isolation Ward, which deserves a lot of attention. Excellent coldwave. A single in 1982, an EP in '83, and two cassettes in 1984. A reissue was released in 2009.

I'm also thinking of a French band that also had a very short life and only has one cassette to its credit. It's Art Remains Tangible or A.R.T.

Unfortunately, there hasn't been a reissue. I hope you can find one because I find it to be a truly typical sound of the early 80s in France. I've been listening to it on repeat.

Finally (for today), there's an incredible band, Wallenberg, who did a lot for the French Cold scene. Formed in April 1983, the band quickly built a great reputation with numerous concerts. Unfortunately, the band broke up in 1988, two weeks before the release of their first album.

They reformed in 2003 with two albums: "Sea of ​​Sins / Always the Same '84-88" (which therefore contains the album that was supposed to be released in 1988).

In 2013, a new album, "Love Is Slavery," was released to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

In 2018, Hervé (founder and singer) organized a concert for my birthday. Truly incredible.

In 2019, their latest album, "And There We Are," was released. Hervé sadly passed away in the spring of 2020 from a devastating cancer. He was a great friend. 

HYPNAS, sorry about the loss of your friend...
a concert for a birthday is really the best gift...
thanks for the bands, I will definitely try to find them.
by the way, Art Remains Tangible is already on the site, if anything)

admin, Thank you so much. He was indeed a great friend, someone with incredible charisma. He lived in England in the late 70s and early 80s. As a result, he met a lot of artists and bands. Stiv Bators was like a big brother to him.

He introduced me to Bortek (Jad Wio), Mary and Strongman (Virgin Prunes), and many others. That special concert was incredible, with pictures of me on the walls.

I forgot about Art Remains Tangible, sorry! I sometimes have the memory of a goldfish. Thank you so much for your incredible work and passion!

HYPNAS, there is Isolation Ward, Les Maîtres and Wallenberg.
Great bands, I like that! Also I think there is a slight "touch" of gothic rock in their sound and that is definitely a plus

admin, I'm very happy that you like these bands. It's a good thing there were reissues because otherwise many would be completely forgotten. It's not a backward-looking attitude, but I think it's important to introduce them.

I really agree with the Gothic touch, even though in Les Maîtres era, for example, it was a term I almost never heard. Their concerts were like strange masses. Truly gloomy worlds, and the song "Le Diable" (the Devil) is a perfect illustration of this.

For Wallenberg, the term also fits, even though Hervé called himself an "old Punk." His son Clyde's godfathers are Wayne Hussey and Greg Adams. I have a photo, too bad I can't publish it.

Thank you for your work in introducing these great artists to as many people as possible.

admin, Here's a great video (I hope you get English subtitles) where Hervé explains the band's history and the origin of the name, his vision of music and the underground, and we see the members of the reunion. Nash (drums) will be in the band Plomb, which you already posted.

This interview took place at "Piano Vache." A place that's been around since the mid-70s. You can meet many artists there. Blixa Bargeld has its favorite spot and its habits. A must-see Parisian spot for all fans of dark music.

HYPNAS, thanks)

admin, Hi !

I'd like to recommend one of the French bands that has captivated me the most since 2000: NO TEARS.

Formed in 2003, their first album, "Borderline," was released in 2004, and I bought it very quickly. The band began touring. In 2008, they released a masterpiece, "Obsessions." Each song is a monument. Mick Mercer loves it, that's a sign! They tour a lot, and I've traveled extensively to see them. Concerts, including a wonderful tour in Italy. I've seen them live seven times. Incredible performances.

Unfortunately, their last album, "Fragments," was released in 2010. Issues within the band arose. Paul Fiction (founder, keyboards) wanted to move towards more New Wave sounds, and Théo (guitar) and Vincent K (bass) wanted to move towards harder, more violent sounds. They split up. A live album, "Live Vision," was released in 2016.

Since then, Vincent K has formed his own band, The Disease, and singer Kris (formerly a member of Bunkerstrasse, Neutral Projet, Renaissance Noire, Guardian Birds, and his sublime solo project, L'avis G821) has reformed with the original members of Modèle Martial (which was a short-lived sequel to Bunkerstrasse).