ARCHAÏA were
formed in the mid-seventies by MAGMA fans who wanted to do something
different: play music using percussion only (no drums) and make full use
of the guitar. They have alternately been compared to JADE WARRIOR,
ARACHNOID, HELDON, MAHAVISHNU, KING CRIMSON (circa "Red"), UNIVERS ZERO
and of course, MAGMA. But their material is totally unique, even by
today's standards. Their only album, a self-titled LP released in 1976,
is now a hot collectors' item that sells for over $300 US. At the time,
however, it sold very poorly - most sales being made by the band
themselves after their concerts. They went on making tapes for a while
and gathered enough material for a second LP. But in the early 80's,
vocalist Pierrick Lebras sold the tapes in a flea market and ARCHAÏA
then simply decided to disband. As none of the other members had kept
any copies, this tape is probably lost forever.Propelled by a pulsating
bass, their self-titled album is fast moving, featuring varied tempos
and extremely dark themes. The music is characterized by a vitriolic
fuzz guitar, droning keyboards, synths that have an eerie Twilight Zone
quality, and by portentous, creepy, spooky pagan vocals. With haunted
house screams and creaking doors, the ominous organ delves deep into the
abyss of your soul, zeroing in on your third eye with laser-like
precision. This is tensely suspenseful material, sinister, unnerving,
not to mention disorienting. Perfectly suited to meditating on Hades,
tales of the Dark Lord and stories from the underworld. Line-up / Musicians Pierrick Lebras/guitar,keyboards,vocals Michel Munier/bass Philippe Bersan/vocals,keyboards,percussion Alain Evrard/percussion,keyboards Patrick Renard/drums Discography Archaia 1977
1.Soleil Noir 2.L'Arche Des Mutations 3.Sur Les Traces Du Vieux Roy 4.La Roue 5.Le Festin Du Lion Vert 6.Massa Confusa 7.Le Grand Secret 8.Vol Du Phenix
