Présent - Le Poison Qui Rend Fou (1985) 
EAC | Flac(Image) + Cue + Log & M4A(Tracks) & MP3 CBR 320Kbps
2CD | 2014 | Cuneiform Records, RUNE 383/384 | ~ 759 or 762 or 296 Mb | Scans(jpg) -> 106 Mb
Video: MPEG-4, 640x480 (4:3), NTSC, 29.97 fps | MPEG, 2 ch, 48 khz, 128 kbps
Progressive Rock / Avant-Prog | Remastered & Expanded Following their uncompromising and psychotic debut album, the similary styled "Le
Poison Qui Rend Fou" isn't something to joke about either. This time
around, Roger Trigaux' songwriting tends to be more diverse and less
minimalist sounding, keeping the hypnotic and gloomy moods present on
Triskaidekaphobie only with a slightly less demanding approach. Other
than that, the line-up remains the same with the exception of bassist
Christian Genet (who left the band to join Univers Zero as a full- time
member) and got replaced by Ferdinand Philippoi. Among fans, this one
seems to be the most appreciated Present album, probably because it's
slightly rounder around the edges and displays more melodic songs than
before. This album is still dark, scary and of course astonishingly
complex from first to last minute and presents some of the most complex
works within the post-RIO movement. The centerpiece title track is
splitted up in two parts, each being equally as challenging and
disturbing musically. This track takes up most of this album's duration
and stands out as the strongest track here. Stylistically similar to the
material on Triskaidekaphobie, with complex instrumentation and soaring
guitar playing from Trigaux and dissonant, pounding notes from the
keyboards. The first part of the song features the relatively unknown
vocalist Marie-Anne Pollaris who sings some really impressive vocal
lines along with the arrangements for a minute. A nice contrast from the
band's rather macabre music otherwise. This stands out as one of
Present's best tracks in their catalogue.
Ersatz is a calmer tune with a very spooky vibe to it and tricky,
whispering percussions from Daniel Denis. This is one of the more fun
tracks to listen to here, as it's more upbeat than the rest of the
album. It's the most accessible track on here, yet it's quite
challenging to listen to. Samana is the only track written by Alain
Rochette here and follows similar formula as Trigaux' material, although
being more diverse overall, with more focus on dynamics but still with
the dark and sinister mood. An excellent song I must say and a worthy
finale for this album. The musicianship is as always excellent, with
Daniel Denis' drumming being the most impressive. His playing is beyond
unique, and he provides incredibly creative and precise drumming, even
when the music is at it's most complex. Bassist Ferdinand Philippoi's
performance isn't as notable as Christian Genet's brilliant performance
on Triskaidekaphobie but still manages to back up the music excellently
throughout. Trigaux and Rochette, handling the main melodies, both does
some fantastic interplay between the guitar and keyboards and due to all
this excellent and complicated instrumentation from the whole band,
this albums, like it's predecessor, sounds very dense but organized at
the same time. Although it's just slightly weaker then their debut I
would still rate this album 5 stars, simply because both albums are
essential to any RIO/Avant-Prog fan, In my opinion. No weak spots here,
just pure manic and dark brilliance to be checked out by any fan of
Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, Shub Niggurath and so on!
by Bj-1, progarchives Present's second album is a bit more of the same than its debut: dark,
sombre, macabre , sinister and one can say gothic in a way (although I
have never seen Gotheads present at their concerts ;-). The group comes
back with a slightly changed line-up: Ferdinand Philippot is now
handling the bass duties, but the change is minor. The artwork is
plainly sinister but with a touch of romantic inspiration and fits the
music quite well.
Starting of with an epic 15 min+ first part of the title track,
featuring an operatic-voiced guest vocalist, Present plunges again on a
metronomic groove with the two pianos helping out a great deal and a
lenghty trip is undertaken through the insane meanders of Trigaux's
mind. A shorter Ersatz is reminiscent of Belew era-Crimson, and
definitely more upbeat and almost joyful compared to the habitual stuff.
The almost 10 min second part of the title track (on the second side of
the vinyl), is the logical follow-up to its debut, but is totally
instrumental. The closing 9 min Samana (Rochette-penned) is not much
different but not quite as dense and might be a little clumsy in its
middle section, but it remains in the mould.
Not an easier than the debut album, and just as difficult to recommend,
these first two albums are uncanny oeuvres that must be heard by every
proghead, but most likely, if they do not like adventurous and partially
un-melodic prog, repulsion or rejection will be an understandable
reaction. But if the proghead should persevere with present, soon the
full merits of the music will come rewardingly. Both albums now come on a
2 on 1 Cd, which is probably the safest bet you can make as acquiring
both albums separately will not bring much more. This will be the last
album from them for over 12 years, when Trigaux will start playing with
his son then reform Present.
by Sean Trane, progarchives Présent - Le Poison Qui Rend Fou (1985): 
Tracklist CD1: 01. Le Poison Qui Rend Fou, Part 1: Ram Ram Va Faire “Pif Paf” [15:23.973]
02. Ersatz [05:08.440]
03. Le Poison Qui Rend Fou, Part 2: Didi, dans Ta Chambre! [09:43.053]
04. Samana [09:18.667]
Video: 01. Ersatz [live at Livry-Gargan, France] - 00:09:18
02. Le Poison Qui Rend Fou [live at Livry-Gargan, France] - 00:08:32
03. Promenade au Fond d'un Canal [live at Livry-Gargan, France] - 00:06:44
EAC Log DR Log 
Tracklist CD2: 01. Quatre-vingt Douze [17:31.187]
02. Ersatz [09:15.893]
03. Le Poison Qui Rend Fou, Part 1 [19:04.560]
04. Chaos Hermétique [12:27.427]
05. Promenade au Fond d’un Canal [21:34.120]
EAC Log DR Log 
Musicians: Roger Trigaux — guitars, Fender Rhodes piano
Ferdinand Philippot — bass (studio album)
Christian Genet — bass (Livry-Gargan, France)
Alain Rochette — Yamaha CP-80 electric grand piano, piano, synthesizer
Marie-Anne Polaris — vocals
Daniel Denis — percussion ----
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