TROLL for Zeuhl

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Troll was a French band that released only one demo tape recorded in a studio, around 1981, with a funky and disco sound combined with Magma's style. The lineup included Stella Vander and Liza Deluxe (aka Bois) on backing vocals, and the Guillard brothers (ex-Weidorje) on horns. The band featured Pascal Meyer on drums, Jean-Pascal Boffo on guitar, André Jaeck on keyboards, Pascal Kober on bass, and Michel Altmayer on drums and keyboards. 
Apparently, there is also a live tape by this lineup without the guest musicians, but I couldn't confirm the existence of that tape. 

Later, in 1984, Troll appeared on the cassette "Préludes," which was given as a gift to the first 100 pre-buyers of the French Rock Discography. They also appeared on the 1987 sampler "Ennéade", alongside bands like Magma, Eskaton, Xalph, Shub-Niggurath, and other artists. In 2007, they were featured on the album Hamtaï!, a tribute to Magma. 

Originally, the band was called Mandragore, but later changed their name to Geheb-Ré, reflecting a strong Magma influence. Eventually, the band became known as Troll. Before Geheb-Ré, Jean-Pascal Boffo had played in a progressive band influenced by King Crimson, called Red. Around 1988, Michel Altmayer decided to record songs he had created during Troll's time and collaborated with well-known local musicians, including his wife, Nathalie Basset, on violin. This album was released by Altmayer under the name "Troll Vol. 2."

There is no further information available about this band, as it remains largely unknown.

Edited by ThyroidGlands - October 26 2024 at 14:47

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
ThyroidGlands Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 29 2023 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 170	Post Options Post Reply Quote ThyroidGlands Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: TROLL for Zeuhl Posted: October 26 2024 at 14:44
	Troll was a French band that released only one demo tape recorded in a studio, around 1981, with a funky and disco sound combined with Magma's style. The lineup included Stella Vander and Liza Deluxe (aka Bois) on backing vocals, and the Guillard brothers (ex-Weidorje) on horns. The band featured Pascal Meyer on drums, Jean-Pascal Boffo on guitar, André Jaeck on keyboards, Pascal Kober on bass, and Michel Altmayer on drums and keyboards. Apparently, there is also a live tape by this lineup without the guest musicians, but I couldn't confirm the existence of that tape. Later, in 1984, Troll appeared on the cassette "Préludes," which was given as a gift to the first 100 pre-buyers of the French Rock Discography. They also appeared on the 1987 sampler "Ennéade", alongside bands like Magma, Eskaton, Xalph, Shub-Niggurath, and other artists. In 2007, they were featured on the album Hamtaï!, a tribute to Magma. Originally, the band was called Mandragore, but later changed their name to Geheb-Ré, reflecting a strong Magma influence. Eventually, the band became known as Troll. Before Geheb-Ré, Jean-Pascal Boffo had played in a progressive band influenced by King Crimson, called Red. Around 1988, Michel Altmayer decided to record songs he had created during Troll's time and collaborated with well-known local musicians, including his wife, Nathalie Basset, on violin. This album was released by Altmayer under the name "Troll Vol. 2." There is no further information available about this band, as it remains largely unknown. Edited by ThyroidGlands - October 26 2024 at 14:47
	Bloody bloody racket and rumpus

yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Crossover Team Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 6357	Post Options Post Reply Quote yam yam Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 26 2024 at 17:06
	That 'Troll Vol. 2' album is already here on drummer Michel Altmayer's solo page in Eclectic Prog. A reissue of it is also mentioned on an archived version of his official website, along with a Bandcamp link. The Discogs pages for both Troll and Michel Altmeyer have the same release listed there too (though they don't have the demo tape). I don't really think this demo release by Troll needs to be evaluated at all, since the band is essentially already here as Michel Altmayer. I'd suggest renaming the page as Troll/Michel Altmayer (or Michel Altmayer/Troll), adding this demo release into the Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo section, and the 2020 reissue of 'Troll Vol. 2' as a separate studio album, since it has an extra track and a different cover image. Lau's info from his original post can be used to improve the biography, which does mention Troll, but the whole thing is very brief as it is written at the moment. Edit: Troll were originally evaluated by the old Zeuhl Team between March 2011 and March 2014, but they had some team member changes to cope with, and the listening links had expired by time the new team members had got their feet under the table. There had been two move votes (to Eclectic) cast before the suggestion was removed from their list. Concurrently, and seemingly without either team being aware of the other's involvement with this artist and his former band, Michel Altmayer was being evaluated in Eclectic, the sub to which he was eventually added in July 2015. The reissue of that 'Troll Vol. 2' album is also on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/56a9BXRBwmT3twepXOrVHl. Edited by yam yam - October 26 2024 at 18:50

yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Crossover Team Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 6357	Post Options Post Reply Quote yam yam Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 27 2024 at 12:10
	TROLL biography as taken from the leaflet enclosed within the 1987 Musea compilation album 'Enneade', which includes the Troll track 'Break Up Dance'. "This name of a mischievous northern goblin conceals the personality of Michel ALTMAYER, keyboards, drummer and singer of the group. In 1974 Michel ALTMAYER, when he was 17 years old, founded MANDRAGORE under the influence of ANGE. The group was made of five musicians amongst which were Jean-Pascal BOFFO on guitar, Pascal KOBER on bass and André JAECK on keyboards, all of them later being members of TROLL. In 1977 they changed their name into GEHEB-RE and were influenced by MAGMA, Michel becoming a close friend of Christian VANDER's group. Also in 1977, Michel played in another group, RED trio specially influenced by KING CRIMSON. In 1980 they choose TROLL as their new name. In 1981 Pascal MEYER Joined the group as their drummer which allowed Michel ALTMAYER to concentrate on keyboards and vocals. In the same year, they recorded several tracks with MAGMA's vocals and WEIDORJE's brass section, but this recording was only ever issued as an unofficial cassette. Some other female singers also joined the group, while Michel played in other groups such as OURANIA. In 1985 the group progressively disbanded when Michel ALTMAYER linked up with some new musicians to start another musical project, before coming back in 1986 to TROLL's roots for the release of three TROLL albums. This music belongs to ZEUHL family, taking from varied sources to create its own originality made of fluidity, fineness and a certain taste for melody."