Univers Zero (also known as Univers Zéro and Univers-Zero[1]) are an instrumental Belgian band formed in 1974 by drummer Daniel Denis. The band is known for its dark style of progressive rock, heavily influenced by 20th-century chamber music.
(2013) Daniel Denis (drums, percussions, keyboards and writing) Dimitri Evers (electric bass, writing, arrangements and programming) Kurt Budé (clarinet, saxophone) Antoine Guenet (piano) Nicolas Dechêne (guitar)
In 1973, Claude Deron and Daniel Denis, both former members of Belgian Zeuhl band Arkham (which had disbanded the previous year), set up a new group, Necronomicon. By that time, apart from Deron (trumpet) and Denis (drums), the group consisted of Roger Trigaux (guitar), Guy Segers (bass guitar), Patrick Hanappier (violin) and John Van Rymenant (sax), and, later on, Vincent Motoulle (keyboards). At the time, Guy Denis (percussion) took part in some shows and rehearsals and Jean-Luc Manderlier (keyboards) was present only during rehearsals. Necronomicon was renamed Univers Zero in 1974.
For a time, Univers Zero were part of a musical movement called Rock in Opposition (RIO) which strove to create dense challenging music, a direct contrast to the disco and punk music being produced in the late 1970s. Obvious early influences were Bartók and Stravinsky, however the band also cited less well known composers such as Albert Huybrechts, who was also Belgian.
In 1977, they released their first eponymous album Univers Zero, later remixed and renamed as 1313. The album shows a heavy rock and roll approach despite the fact that the instrumentation was largely acoustic. This is mostly due to the use of drums and bass guitar. Two years later the album Heresie proved to be even darker. Subsequent albums lightened the sound only slightly but became ever more electric.
Despite these changes, their overall sound remained fairly consistent.
The group disbanded in 1987 but reformed in 1999. In the interim, drummer Daniel Denis released two solo albums and joined Art Zoyd, a similar band from France. Since 1999, Univers Zéro have released five studio albums.
In 2003, Univers Zéro had retired from live performance with Daniel Denis being quoted as saying that only something like a festival would make it financially worthwhile. Coincidentally soon after, they were invited to headline the first day of NEARfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in June 2004. In 2011, they joined forces with Belgian groups Present and Aranis to form a 17-member ensemble called Once Upon a Time in Belgium. They premiered at the fourth edition of the Rock in Opposition festival held in Carmaux, France in September 2011, where they performed "New York Transformations", a work composed by Kurt Budé. Once Upon a Time in Belgium and Univers Zéro appear in the documentary film Romantic Warriors II: A Progressive Music Saga About Rock in Opposition.[2]
^In French, the word "Zéro" when in upper case may correctly be written either "ZÉRO" or "ZERO".
^Lynch, Dave. "Romantic Warriors II: A Progressive Music Saga About Rock in Opposition". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
External linksEdit
Tribute web page
Univers Zero Interview
Label Record
August 27, 2023
univers, zero, also, known, univers, zéro, univers, zero, instrumental, belgian, band, formed, 1974, drummer, daniel, denis, band, known, dark, style, progressive, rock, heavily, influenced, 20th, century, chamber, music, 2010, maison, françaisebackground, inf. Univers Zero also known as Univers Zero and Univers Zero 1 are an instrumental Belgian band formed in 1974 by drummer Daniel Denis The band is known for its dark style of progressive rock heavily influenced by 20th century chamber music Univers ZeroUnivers Zero in 2010 at La Maison FrancaiseBackground informationOriginBelgiumGenresProgressive rock Rock in Opposition Zeuhl avant prog instrumental chamber musicYears active1974 1987 1999 presentMembers 2013 Daniel Denis drums percussions keyboards and writing Dimitri Evers electric bass writing arrangements and programming Kurt Bude clarinet saxophone Antoine Guenet piano Nicolas Dechene guitar Websitewww wbr univers zero wbr com Contents 1 History 2 Discography 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditIn 1973 Claude Deron and Daniel Denis both former members of Belgian Zeuhl band Arkham which had disbanded the previous year set up a new group Necronomicon By that time apart from Deron trumpet and Denis drums the group consisted of Roger Trigaux guitar Guy Segers bass guitar Patrick Hanappier violin and John Van Rymenant sax and later on Vincent Motoulle keyboards At the time Guy Denis percussion took part in some shows and rehearsals and Jean Luc Manderlier keyboards was present only during rehearsals Necronomicon was renamed Univers Zero in 1974 For a time Univers Zero were part of a musical movement called Rock in Opposition RIO which strove to create dense challenging music a direct contrast to the disco and punk music being produced in the late 1970s Obvious early influences were Bartok and Stravinsky however the band also cited less well known composers such as Albert Huybrechts who was also Belgian Whereas their early albums were almost entirely acoustic featuring oboes spinets harmoniums and Mellotrons their 1980s albums tended to rely more on synthesizer and electric guitar sounding much more electric In 1977 they released their first eponymous album Univers Zero later remixed and renamed as 1313 The album shows a heavy rock and roll approach despite the fact that the instrumentation was largely acoustic This is mostly due to the use of drums and bass guitar Two years later the album Heresie proved to be even darker Subsequent albums lightened the sound only slightly but became ever more electric Despite these changes their overall sound remained fairly consistent The group disbanded in 1987 but reformed in 1999 In the interim drummer Daniel Denis released two solo albums and joined Art Zoyd a similar band from France Since 1999 Univers Zero have released five studio albums In 2003 Univers Zero had retired from live performance with Daniel Denis being quoted as saying that only something like a festival would make it financially worthwhile Coincidentally soon after they were invited to headline the first day of NEARfest in Bethlehem Pennsylvania in June 2004 In 2011 they joined forces with Belgian groups Present and Aranis to form a 17 member ensemble called Once Upon a Time in Belgium They premiered at the fourth edition of the Rock in Opposition festival held in Carmaux France in September 2011 where they performed New York Transformations a work composed by Kurt Bude Once Upon a Time in Belgium and Univers Zero appear in the documentary film Romantic Warriors II A Progressive Music Saga About Rock in Opposition 2 Discography Edit1977 1313 originally titled Univers Zero 1979 Heresie 1981 Ceux du dehors 1981 Triomphe des mouches one sided 7 single 1983 Crawling Wind 1984 Uzed 1986 Heatwave 1999 The Hard Quest 2002 Rhythmix 2004 Implosion 2006 Live live album 2008 Relaps Archives 1984 85 86 live album 2010 Clivages 2014 Phosphorescent DreamsSee also EditRomantic Warriors II A Progressive Music Saga About Rock in OppositionReferences Edit In French the word Zero when in upper case may correctly be written either ZERO or ZERO Lynch Dave Romantic Warriors II A Progressive Music Saga About Rock in Opposition AllMusic Retrieved 15 March 2013 External links EditTribute web page Univers Zero Interview Label Record Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Univers Zero amp oldid 1150283775, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
