A Cheval de frise is a defensive structure. Under this name, Thomas Bonvalet proposed to Vincent Beysselance to form a duo, creating an 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 American post-hardcore of the 90s, while manifesting its own undeniable singularity from the start.

In the fall of 1998, freshly arrived in Bordeaux, Thomas, former bass player in an obscure noise rock band called Amble, meets Vincent, drummer for the band Tomy. Their formation would be instrumental, amplified classical guitar replacing the bass, giving them their signature sound.

The group works avidly, learning and discovering the possibilities of its instruments. In a French musical landscape where rock and guitar music do not enthuse much anymore, Cheval de frise comes as a surprise. Their stage performances, tense, feverish, fiery and on the edge of the abyss, are striking.

After a few demos, the group enters the studio and records their first album in June 2000. The record would be released a few months later, on CD, by Bordeaux label Sonore. It is received with enthusiasm, allowing Cheval de frise to tour all over Europe. The album would then be reissued in 2004 by Sickroom Records (Chicago) for the band’s only American tour.

Around the world, many instrumental, energetic, fast and complex bands would emerge during this same period and in the following years, oftentimes described as “math-rock”. But the unique color of Cheval de frise remained, borrowed from a certain anachronistic romanticism. A music made of shadows, explosive nuances, precise gestures, kaleidoscopic patterns and spasms.

This outstanding and one of a kind recording has not been available on vinyl, cassette or digital formats until now.

The release is classified in our Expanded Reissues series with the original track list remastered, and contains uncovered artwork supplements.

Notes —— Please read carefully before placing your order.

Cheval de frise is offered in 3 forms:

— 2LP with 3 sides running at 45rpm, inside a matte, 6mm spine gatefold cover together with a 3-by-3 feet poster. The entire package is housed in a unique heat-sealed aluminum Type-2 foil bag.

— Cassette tape with standard J-card cover, C42 White C-0 flat shell and clear liberty case.

— MP3 (320kbps) and Lossless M4A digital files for download.

Expanded Reissue

2LP — Cassette — M4A — MP3

2LP — 3700604739661
Cassette — 3700604739678

November 18, 2022

Vinyl Image

Connexion monstrueuse entre un objet et son image
Noblesse de l’échec (1)
Construction d’écorces d’arbres
Langue hastée
Lundi deux mars
Un pont et des eaux noires limoneuses

Incliné et chenu
Le feu, le lin et la bougie
Les canaux sont ouverts, les moustiques meurent, le monstre disparait
Mille courbettes
Douche froide, harmonium
Le vestibule de lâches
Noblesse de l’échec (2)

Cassette Image

— Side A