Archaïa

French rock band with Zeuhl influence. Formed in 1976 by Magma fanatics Pierrick Le Bras and Michel Munier, the band’s goal was to play something approaching that group’s music but via a different path: they aimed to use only percussions–no drums–and to make full use of guitar and keyboard. The foundation on most Archaïa songs, then, became Munier’s throbbing bass oscillations that take on a bit of a sinister weight that melds with Le Bras’ guitar and third member Philippe Bersan’s keyboards in eerie fashion. By 1978, Archaïa had added drummer Patrick Renard to their touring lineup creating a sound that was more driving – in fact, closer to straight progressive rock – while still remaining enigmatic, and that change is reflected in two of the three bonus tracks included on the CD Soleil Zeuhl reissue.