EIDER STELLAIRE I

EIDER STELLAIRE are a band i've heard about for years but had really resigned myself to the fact I would probably never get to hear their debut because the band owns the rights to their music and have stated numerous times it will not be re-issued.Then one day while on Youtube I somehow (by accident) found several of the tracks from the debut and was promptly blown away by what I was hearing.In fact the first song I listened to "Onde" sounded just like ONE SHOT when the guitar and electric piano kicked in. Now I really needed to find a cdr of this some how and some way. Enter Bonnek (again) to the rescue and I have been listening to this on and off ever since.Then this week we got the shocking news that Soleil Zeuhl is re-issuing this monster. It was actually leaked as the formal announcement is to come September 8th according to Alain the man behind Soleil Zeuhl. Maybe then we'll get the details as to how this came about and why the band changed their minds. Regardless this is huge news. I honestly feel that this is best Zeuhl album I have ever heard.The drummer Michel LeBards used to play drums with OFFERING while Vander sang but he eventually decided he wanted to form his own band to do his own take on Zeuhl. And while some have said there is nothing new here compared to past Zeuhl albums I have to disagree. First of all to be Zeuhl it has to have some of the same characteristics like that driving rhythm along with electric piano and chanting (usually). What makes this different is how aggressive the guitar is. Sure MAGMA has and does use guitar but not nearly as in your face as what we get here.We also get some sax and flute. I have to say that the drumming, bass, guitar and electric piano are all so amazingly well done.These are hired guns man and they don't fool around.

"Onde" opens with drums and bass before the electric piano and guitar kick in and i'm drooling at this point.The sound gets fuller quickly and the guitar is lighting it up.There's an incredible moment 2 minutes in as the song seems to restart.The bass and drums are relentless. Nasty bass after 3 1/2 minutes and check out the drumming ! The keyboards kick in and the guitar becomes abrasive after 5 minutes. Piano only late then the guitar joins in to end it. Not worthy !

"Arctis 6eme Ephemeride" opens with the bass,drums and piano standing out.The tempo picks up after a minute then we get female vocal melodies that will come and go.They're a really nice touch actually.The guitar turns aggressive here and later before 4 1/2 minutes. Big finish.

"Legende" has guitar before a minute and he's letting it rip before 1 1/2 minutes and a minute after that. Piano leads before 3 1/2 minutes then it settles with female vocal melodies before picking up and turning nasty.

"Tetra" is my favourite along with the first tune. Keyboards to open then it kicks in with some power. Love the drumming.The guitar starts to solo over the bass and drums. Hell yeah it does ! It settles back then kicks back in.This is so freaking good. Sax after 4 1/2 minutes.The guitar is back late to end it.

"Nihil" has these female vocal melodies and electric piano that come and go early on. It then kicks in around a minute. It settles back then kicks back in before 4 minutes. A relentless attack after 5 minutes then it settles back with female vocal melodies and drums to end it.

I will defintely be picking up the re-issue when it comes out. I understand there will be a bonus track from the same period. Masterpiece !