Zaar from France

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   I added ZAAR (my first band addition in the ZART) last year I think. 
I'll post the bio I wrote here:

Zaar rose from the ashes of Sotos which is another RIO/AVant band. Two Sotos members, guitarist Yan Hazera and drummer Michael Hazera, wished to continue composing music in the same vein as that of their previous band. To accomplish this they invited the two musicians, Pairbon and Cosia from the Familha Artus band and together they formed Zaar in June 2004.
Their musical influences can be traced in different sources. In their first album one can hear RIO, chamber rock, eastern ethnic sounds (portrayed by the violin), Zeuhl characteristics, some jazzy moments and improvisational elements. Their sound is very dynamic, experimental, rich and intricate and it contains some crazy and thrilling musicianship (especially with the hurdy gurdy) as can be expected from a band of this genre. This is a band filled with potential that will undoubtedly produce more excellent albums such as their 2006 “Zaar”. While they do bear a resemblance to Sotos, Zaar have moved away in their sound from their previous incarnation. A must hear for all fans of aforementioned bands and all those who appreciate originality and experimentalism.
They released their self titled album in January 2006 via Cuneiform records. 

On November 7th the band issued this announcement in their website:
"Some bad news here...For those who didn't know yet, ZAAR has quit in June 2006, for several reasons. It didn't last long, but we're happy we could at least produce an album that will stand as a testimony of our adventure.
Each musician goes on now, and Michael and Yan decided to continue on the same path. They are actually recording an album, on which there will be some pieces initially composed for ZAAR. It is not a band, only a studio project, intitled Akhan Projekt, and the ex-ZAAR came to play on one piece.
Thanks to all those who supported us..."

On 23/12/06 this announcement was made on Zaar's website:
"Most of you probably know this already. Yan has died on November 10, in Barcelona (Spain), after an accidental downfall. The funeral took place on November 17 in Gaas (a small village where we used to rehearse with Sotos and Zaar). The funeral was sober and very beautiful, and music took an important part in it.
I would like to thank all of those who showed us sympathy, affection, or simply some enthusiasm towards Yan's music.
His music lives...
We had started, he and myself, Michael, recording a new album. This album will happen, I really want this. We had completed three pieces, on a total of seven.
I found some rough demo recordings of the other pieces on his computer, which will help me finish the album. This project is called "Akhan Projekt". I will create a Myspace page to keep you informed about this.
Thanks again to all, family, friends, close or not so close, musicians and non musicians...
Yan, I miss you, rest in peace...

Michael
"

Their album Zaar was released in 2006 by Cuneiform Records. 

1. Sëfir (20:07)
2. Zolg (1:59)
3. Ce n'est pas triste (2:42)
4. Tougoudougoum (1:29)
5. Discasambo (3:23)
6. Omk (17:20)
7. Scherzaaah (0:38)
8. Scherzo # C (4:45)
9. [...] (1:34)

Total Time: 53:54
Line-up/Musicians
- Yan Hazera / guitar
- Michael Hazera / drums
- Cosia / Hurdy Gurdy
- Pairbon / bass, double-bass
Releases information
CD Cuneiform Records (2006)

The PA reviews:

Guests Reviews

ZAAR — Zaar
Review by Goredo (Miguel Saenger) 
 This is the first time I write a review, and I'm doing this because no one has reviewed this amazing album wich deserves to be listened by lovers of dynamic, experimental and avant-garde compositions. Zaar's first effort shows a group of great musicians playing amazing music, 9 songs full of experimentation and improvisation, a lot of progressions and some jazzy elements. The use of hurdy gurdy is great, and it gives a distinctive sound to this french band. Totally worth listening. For me, 4.3 out of 5. 
Posted Friday, August 04, 2006, 15:24 EST | Permanent link

ZAAR — Zaar
Review by Arsillus (M.) 
 The debut album of this French quartet wastes no time in doing what they want to with their unique sound. With two former members of the band Sotos, Zaar plays instrumental jazzy chamber rock that is pretty experimental. The band plays highly dynamic and sometimes downright strange avant-prog that's pretty hard to describe. Probably the coolest thing here is Cosia's hurdy gurdy playing which really helps give the band a more unique sound. 

The album is dominated by two epic pieces, "Sefir" and "Omk," both almost to the 20-minute mark. These songs show excellent development of musical themes as the band gives plenty of attention to their composition. The hurdy gurdy really shines in these songs by leading everything along, sometimes leaving the rest of the band in the dust. The rest of the songs are shorter tunes mostly around 2-minutes. Even though they are shorter, the band's ability to cram so many musical ideas into such a short amount of time is pretty amazing. 

Hopefully we'll see more from these guys as it's obvious they have a lot of potential. If you're interested in left-field avant-prog, you can't go wrong with this album.

Standout songs: "Sefir", "Scherzo # C" 

Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007, 19:37 EST | Permanent link

Other reviews:
http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=zaar-zaar

If you like this, then you should also try their previous incarnation - SOTOS (and if you like Sotos, you should try PRESENT and AHVAK; and if you like those.... well it goes on and on....). 

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avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Topic: Zaar from France Posted: November 01 2007 at 23:44
	I added ZAAR (my first band addition in the ZART) last year I think. I'll post the bio I wrote here: Zaar rose from the ashes of Sotos which is another RIO/AVant band. Two Sotos members, guitarist Yan Hazera and drummer Michael Hazera, wished to continue composing music in the same vein as that of their previous band. To accomplish this they invited the two musicians, Pairbon and Cosia from the Familha Artus band and together they formed Zaar in June 2004. Their musical influences can be traced in different sources. In their first album one can hear RIO, chamber rock, eastern ethnic sounds (portrayed by the violin), Zeuhl characteristics, some jazzy moments and improvisational elements. Their sound is very dynamic, experimental, rich and intricate and it contains some crazy and thrilling musicianship (especially with the hurdy gurdy) as can be expected from a band of this genre. This is a band filled with potential that will undoubtedly produce more excellent albums such as their 2006 “Zaar”. While they do bear a resemblance to Sotos, Zaar have moved away in their sound from their previous incarnation. A must hear for all fans of aforementioned bands and all those who appreciate originality and experimentalism. They released their self titled album in January 2006 via Cuneiform records. On November 7th the band issued this announcement in their website: "Some bad news here...For those who didn't know yet, ZAAR has quit in June 2006, for several reasons. It didn't last long, but we're happy we could at least produce an album that will stand as a testimony of our adventure. Each musician goes on now, and Michael and Yan decided to continue on the same path. They are actually recording an album, on which there will be some pieces initially composed for ZAAR. It is not a band, only a studio project, intitled Akhan Projekt, and the ex-ZAAR came to play on one piece. Thanks to all those who supported us..." On 23/12/06 this announcement was made on Zaar's website: "Most of you probably know this already. Yan has died on November 10, in Barcelona (Spain), after an accidental downfall. The funeral took place on November 17 in Gaas (a small village where we used to rehearse with Sotos and Zaar). The funeral was sober and very beautiful, and music took an important part in it. I would like to thank all of those who showed us sympathy, affection, or simply some enthusiasm towards Yan's music. His music lives... We had started, he and myself, Michael, recording a new album. This album will happen, I really want this. We had completed three pieces, on a total of seven. I found some rough demo recordings of the other pieces on his computer, which will help me finish the album. This project is called "Akhan Projekt". I will create a Myspace page to keep you informed about this. Thanks again to all, family, friends, close or not so close, musicians and non musicians... Yan, I miss you, rest in peace... Michael " Their album Zaar was released in 2006 by Cuneiform Records. 1. Sëfir (20:07) 2. Zolg (1:59) 3. Ce n'est pas triste (2:42) 4. Tougoudougoum (1:29) 5. Discasambo (3:23) 6. Omk (17:20) 7. Scherzaaah (0:38) 8. Scherzo # C (4:45) 9. [...] (1:34) Total Time: 53:54 Line-up/Musicians - Yan Hazera / guitar - Michael Hazera / drums - Cosia / Hurdy Gurdy - Pairbon / bass, double-bass Releases information CD Cuneiform Records (2006) The PA reviews: Guests Reviews ZAAR — Zaar Review by Goredo (Miguel Saenger) This is the first time I write a review, and I'm doing this because no one has reviewed this amazing album wich deserves to be listened by lovers of dynamic, experimental and avant-garde compositions. Zaar's first effort shows a group of great musicians playing amazing music, 9 songs full of experimentation and improvisation, a lot of progressions and some jazzy elements. The use of hurdy gurdy is great, and it gives a distinctive sound to this french band. Totally worth listening. For me, 4.3 out of 5. Posted Friday, August 04, 2006, 15:24 EST \| Permanent link ZAAR — Zaar Review by Arsillus (M.) The debut album of this French quartet wastes no time in doing what they want to with their unique sound. With two former members of the band Sotos, Zaar plays instrumental jazzy chamber rock that is pretty experimental. The band plays highly dynamic and sometimes downright strange avant-prog that's pretty hard to describe. Probably the coolest thing here is Cosia's hurdy gurdy playing which really helps give the band a more unique sound. The album is dominated by two epic pieces, "Sefir" and "Omk," both almost to the 20-minute mark. These songs show excellent development of musical themes as the band gives plenty of attention to their composition. The hurdy gurdy really shines in these songs by leading everything along, sometimes leaving the rest of the band in the dust. The rest of the songs are shorter tunes mostly around 2-minutes. Even though they are shorter, the band's ability to cram so many musical ideas into such a short amount of time is pretty amazing. Hopefully we'll see more from these guys as it's obvious they have a lot of potential. If you're interested in left-field avant-prog, you can't go wrong with this album. Standout songs: "Sefir", "Scherzo # C" Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007, 19:37 EST \| Permanent link Other reviews: http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=zaar-zaar If you like this, then you should also try their previous incarnation - SOTOS (and if you like Sotos, you should try PRESENT and AHVAK; and if you like those.... well it goes on and on....).
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avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Posted: November 02 2007 at 08:21
	Some samples are available in their website here - http://pageperso.aol.fr/Miczoz/Zaar_samples.com
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Apsalar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 06 2006 Location: gansu Status: Offline Points: 2888	Posted: November 02 2007 at 21:25
	One of my favourite albums of '06, and probably the best prog release (imo). It was a big shock last year hearing 'bout Yan's death, a real shame, the band seemed so close to producing that 'perfect' album. My sincerest respect and condolences go out to this band. youtube video of Sefir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhs9l6v2lTk

rileydog22 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 24 2005 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 8844	Posted: November 02 2007 at 21:30
	I only have one thing to say about Zaar: ZAAR IS FCKING AWESOME! Oh, and I should also mention that Sotos, which features the same guitarist and drummer as Zaar, is also pretty fcking awesome.


Bj-1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 04 2005 Location: No(r)Way Status: Offline Points: 31336	Posted: November 03 2007 at 09:46
	Zaar released on the of the best albums of '06. Awesome band, awesome album!
	RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!

Syzygy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 16 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7003	Posted: November 03 2007 at 09:52
	A great band and a very good album (not a masterpiece IMO, but close) - I thought I'd reviewed it (I think I planned to at around the same time as I reviewed the Sotos albums) but obviously I never got around to it. Anyway, one of the highlights of 2006 and well worth checking out.
	'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom

VanderGraafKommandöh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: July 04 2005 Location: Malaria Status: Offline Points: 89372	Posted: November 03 2007 at 10:53
	Indeed, a fantastic band. I also felt sad when I heard about Yan Hazera's untimely passing. I hope Michael will finish that project.


chamberry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: October 24 2005 Location: Puerto Rico Status: Offline Points: 9008	Posted: November 03 2007 at 11:56
	One of the better bands in 2006. I really liked their music and I was looking forward for their next release. It was very unexpected to know that one of the brothers died last year. Its been a while since I last heard them. I think I'll give them a play now.


electricsilence Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Groupie Joined: October 13 2007 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 78	Posted: November 03 2007 at 14:30
	A great Crimsonish band; I really liked Sotos and Zaar is just an improved version of the band.