Cheval De Frise

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 posthumously. 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 and is available for the first time ever in cassette and double LP. The vinyl version is presented in a beautiful gatefold sleeve with an impressive poster. The whole thing is packaged in a sealed foil pouch, a trademark of the label.