Univers Zero - Live - Review
March 1st, 2006 by Koldo Barroso
ARTIST: Univers Zero
TITLE: "Live"
LABEL: Cuneiform Records
Univers Zero consists of Daniel Denis (drums), Michael Berckmans (bassoon, English horn and oboe), Martin Lauwers (violin), Peter Van Den Berghe (piano and keyboards), Kurt Budé (clarinet and saxophone) and Eric Plantain (bass). The band was originally formed back in 1974 and where part of the Rock In Opposition (RIO) movement, a European coalition for alternative music.
What does it sound like?
Univers Zero is one of the bands most related to chamber rock, an experimental oriented fusion between chamber music (including instruments like oboe, clarinet, English horn and bassoon) and rock.
Similar artists:
It would be unfair to compare Univers Zero with other artists since they are one of the top bands of chamber rock if not the most, and that says everything. Influences? Classical avant garde composers, from Bela Bartok to Igor Stravinsky, the complex rock structures of progressive bands like King Crimson and Gentle Giant, the orchestral variations and fusion experimentation of Frank Zappa, plus an strong influence of French traditional music.
Highlights:
It is amazing to be able to hear a band like this in our times. Univers Zero is nothing but a really well combined group of fine musicians playing a very personal kind of music with ability, complexity, strength, dynamics and a beautiful lack of pretension.
Recommendations:
Absolutely recommendable for fans of instrumental progressive, avant garde and experimental rock and fusion.