Gambit (France): Neo Prog?

Quite well known in France, but hitherto virtually unknown outside of that country - Gambit have just released their second full-length album 'Abyssal' - an album which will probably ensure a much wider audience for the band from now on.

 

Gambit History: The group is from Antibes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, and was founded in 2002. At that time Philip (vocals), Jean-Luc (bass), Stéphane (guitar) and Gerald (drums) began playing rock music covers - but more particularly soul and rhythm & blues - in various festivals, concerts and even cafés & pubs. Then in 2007, they decided to have a go at writing their own songs. Guenoun Stéphane joined them on keyboards in September 2008, and during a meeting with illustrator Phil Umbdenstock at an Ange convention, he agreed to create some album artwork for them. Thus the "Machiavélique" album was duly completed and self-released in July 2009. The music naturally had a progressive slant given the musicians' common influences: Ange, Lazuli, Marillion, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Spock's Beard .........

 

Tracklist:
1. Génération égoïste (7:44)
2. Gars laxiste (6:55)
3. Le feu et la glace (3:50)
4. Machiavélique (6:51)
5. Les rides (5:56)
6. L’aventure (6:36)
7. Big brother (7:45)
8. Le chaos (5:15)
9. Les damnés de la terre (9:26)
 
Band line-up

Philippe SIREIX / vocals
Stéphane CHEFDEVILLE / guitar
Jean-Luc SIMON  / bass
Gérald GARNIER / drums
Stéphane GUENOUN / keyboards

The follow up, "Abyssal", was again self-released  - on October 31, 2013 - with the addition of a new vocalist:
 

Tracklist: 
1. Abyssal.. (7:43)
2. Le manège en chantier (7:48)
3. La valeur des choses (10:50)
4. The Froggy Tongue (4:67)
5. Le néant (10:07)
6. La course contre le temps (11:05)
7. ...Abyssal (2:36)
 
Line-up:
Stéphane CHEFDEVILLE / guitars
Patrick FOLLACO / vocals
Gérald GARNIER / drums
Stéphane GUENOUN / keyboards
Jean-Luc SIMON / bass
 

Not many samples on YouTube: