Univers Zero

Vinyl Records and Rare LPs:

	Ceux Du Dehors Used Import - RR^ ten 1981 UK pressing. Univers Zero’s album "Ceux du Dehors," released in 1981, stands as a landmark in the Rock in Opposition (RIO) movement and a defining statement of the group’s uncompromising artistic vision. By the time of this third studio release, Univers Zero had solidified their reputation for a dark, chamber-prog sound, blending classical and avant-garde influences with the intensity of progressive rock. The core lineup for "Ceux du Dehors" featured founding member Daniel Denis on drums and percussion, along with Guy Segers, Andy Kirk, Michel Berckmans, and Dirk Descheemaeker. The album’s title, which translates as "Those from Outside," hints at themes of alienation and the unknown, which are reflected both in the somber atmosphere and intricate, often unsettling compositions. "Ceux du Dehors" is noted for its sophisticated use of instrumentation, including bassoon, oboe, harmonium, and violin, creating dense, brooding textures that evoke both 20th-century classical composers and horror film soundtracks. The album’s signature track, "La musique d’Erich Zann," is inspired by the H.P. Lovecraft story of the same name, further emphasizing the band’s fascination with the macabre and surreal. Univers Zero’s meticulous arrangements and willingness to explore dissonance set "Ceux du Dehors" apart from more conventional progressive rock acts, and the album is frequently cited as a touchstone for listeners interested in the darker, more experimental side of progressive and chamber music. Its legacy endures as a testament to the band’s innovative spirit and the broader possibilities of rock instrumentation. more
	Heatwave Used - Vinyl - Rune 9 Rare 1987 original pressing. "Heatwave" marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Belgian avant-rock ensemble. This album stands out as a transition from their earlier, more chamber-oriented sound to a denser, electrified style. The inclusion of synthesizers and a heavier rhythm section gave "Heatwave" a darker, more aggressive energy, reflecting both internal changes and wider shifts in progressive music. Notably, the album was produced during a period of significant lineup changes, with drummer and bandleader Daniel Denis increasingly shaping the group's direction. The opening and title track, written by Andy Kirk, is particularly emblematic of this era, with its extended, brooding structure and complex interplay. From a historical perspective, "Heatwave" is often seen as the last Univers Zero album before their lengthy hiatus, which began in the late 1980s. The album captures a band at the crossroads of the Rock in Opposition movement's fading momentum and the rise of more electronic and experimental approaches within progressive music. "Heatwave" was the last Univers Zero album released for nearly a decade, as the band would not return with new material until 1999's "The Hard Quest." In retrospect, "Heatwave" is appreciated for both its boldness in pushing the band's sound into new territories and its role as a bookend to Univers Zero's classic era, offering a powerful and uncompromising statement that remains influential among fans of avant-garde rock and experimental music. more
	Univers Zero Used Import - ATEM 7001 1977 French Original. “Some Very Peculiar Rock Music Hybrids Emerged In The 1970s, But None Was Any More Peculiar Than Univers Zero, A Classically Influenced Group Of Primarily Belgian Musicians. Sometimes Compared To The Slightly Earlier And Enormously Influential King Crimson, Univers Zero Was Actually Much More Extreme. While Crimson Used Robert Fripp's Lead Guitar And Ian McDonald's Mellotron To Approximate A Symphonic Rock Sound Rooted In The 19th Century Romantic Tradition Of Richard Strauss, Mahler And Wagner, The Earliest Versions Of Univers Zero Were Not Only More Purely Classical In Their Instrumentation (Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, Harmonium, Spinet Piano), But Much More Contemporary In Their Musical Appropriation Of The Dissonant, Jagged 20th Century Classical Styles Of Stravinsky, Bartók, Ligeti, And Penderecki, Among Others. The Other Constant And Distinguishing Quality Of Univers Zero Was The Longtime Preoccupation Of Drummer/Leader Daniel Denis With The Early 20th Century Fantasy/Horror Writer H.P. Lovecraft -- As Indicated By The Names Of His Two Predecessor Bands, Arkham (The Mythical Town Where Most Of Lovecraft's Stories Were Set) And Necronomicon (A Mythical Lovecraft Book Of Forbidden Secrets). Some Critics Regard Univers Zero's Music As Pretentious And Gloomy, But It's Never Pretentious In The Easy, Predictable Manner Of Most Progressive Rock, And As For The Gloom, There's Actually A Kind Of Jaunty Gallows Humor In Many Of The Pieces On This Debut -- Particularly In The Two By Guitarist Roger Trigaux, Which Feature March Rhythms Somewhat Suggestive Of Shostakovich Or Prokofiev. The Rhythmic Energy And Dissonant Riffs, The Distinctive Sound Of The Bassoon And Strings, And The Tricky, Fragmented Time Signatures Make For A Challenging And Highly Distinctive Listening Experience.” All Music Guide – William Tilland. more