Cheval De Frise - Cheval de frise (2022)

Reissue, originally released in 2000. A "cheval de frise" is a military defensive structure. It is the alias under which Thomas Bonvalet and Vincent Beysselance formed their duo, creating anxious, agitated music with perpetually changing, almost Baroque, patterns. Urgent, emotional, and paradoxically structured and thought out in the finest detail, it drew much of its influences from the many forms of '90s American post-hardcore, while being undeniably singular. The formation was instrumental and the bass was abandoned for an amplified classical guitar, giving them their signature sound. In a French musical landscape where rock and guitar music did not thrill much anymore, Cheval de Frise came as a surprise. After a few demos, the band released their first eponymous album in 2000 on Sonore, a label based in Bordeaux. It was well received, allowing Cheval de Frise to tour all over Europe. Their second album, Fresques sur les parois secrètes du crâne, was recorded in 2002. The band split in 2004 leaving their mini album La Lame du Mat to be released later. Around the world, many instrumental, energetic, fast and complex bands would emerge in the following years, usually labeled as "math rock". But the unique color of Cheval de Frise remained, marked by a certain anachronistic romanticism. Remastered by Carl Saff, Cheval de Frise is reissued on New York label Computer Students.

Tracklist:
1 01. Cheval De Frise - Connexion monstrueuse entre un objet et son image (06:26)
1 02. Cheval De Frise - Noblesse de l'échec (1) (01:44)
1 03. Cheval De Frise - Construction d'écorces d'arbres (03:07)
1 04. Cheval De Frise - Langue hastée (01:58)
1 05. Cheval De Frise - Lundi deux mars (02:53)
1 06. Cheval De Frise - Un pont et des eaux noires limoneuses (02:34)
1 07. Cheval De Frise - Incliné et chenu (04:16)
1 08. Cheval De Frise - Le feu, le lin et la bougie (02:19)
1 09. Cheval De Frise - Les canaux sont ouverts, les moustiques meurent, le monstre disparait (03:59)
1 10. Cheval De Frise - Mille courbettes (01:42)
1 11. Cheval De Frise - Douche froide, harmonium (01:03)
1 12. Cheval De Frise - Le vestibule des lâches (03:34)
1 13. Cheval De Frise - Noblesse de l'échec (2) (03:30)