TREPONEM PAL --Reunited

Reunited French industrial metal pioneers TREPONEM PAL (named after the bacteria that causes syphilis) have completed work on a brand new studio album, tentatively due before the end of the year. Produced by KMFDM mastermind Sascha Konietzko,the CD features guest appearances by Paul Raven (MINISTRY, PRONG) on bass and Ted Parsons (SWANS, PRONG) on drums.

Formed in 1986, TREPONEM PAL’s first (self-titled) and third (“Excess and Overdrive”) LPs were produced by Franz Treichler (YOUNG GODS); their second, “Aggravation”, by Roli Mosimann (SWANS, WISEBLOOD). This album probably represents their most focused achievement, combining frontman Marco Neves’ bleak world view and gift for striking lyrics and the band’s controlled aggression, most comparable to U.S. bands the MELVINS and PRONG. Live performances were extraordinary affairs: their policy of employing two bass players rendered their sound massive, Michel Bassin was a very gifted guitarist (he played with MINISTRY on one of their U.S. tours) and Marco Neves a physically imposing performer.

TREPONEM PAL performing live on French TV in 1996:

[url “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D-mM5G9mBE&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnerrecords.com%2Fblabbermouth.net%2F”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D-mM5G9mBE&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnerrecords.com%2Fblabbermouth.net%2F

Renegade…with a girl I mean guy helping out.

Michel Bassin played with Ministry during their 92 Lolapalooza tour, but Marco Neves was also part of the live band. He used to sing the last song of the concerts, ‘Hero’, instead of Al.

The reunited band has only Marco from the classic line-up. Just one other guy was part of their previous album, Higher.

I will see them live in two days (they play here with Front 242). And since I’ve seen them live at least 4 times in the 90s, I will be able to compare with the old band.

I’m still a bit worried by Sascha’s production since I don’t really like Higher which was already produced by him…

Metal Mind has just released a special limited box-set with their 3 first CDs (their best albums!), a live CD and a DVD with lots of live footages:
http://www.metalmind.com.pl/index.php?dzial=wydawnictwa&more=835

good news, i hope they tour europe sometime soon…

I’m still a bit worried by Sascha’s production since I don’t really like Higher which was already produced by him…

I really liker Higher especially the songs that mixed reggae-like rythms and industrial sound.

Their cover of Funky Town on this album was really good.

Check out their myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/treponempal

Michel Bassin plays with Senser singer Etham in the sludge band Fiend. saw them once and beside micorphone issues, the show was very good.
they will record something soon.

So Saturday evening I’ve seen the new incarnation of Treponem Pal and even if it wasn’t the best concert I’ve seen from them I can say this “new” band has some potential. Let’s hope they will be able to confirm it on album.

So they played before Front 242 and Fixmer / McCarthy (with Netzer Ebb singer). They played four songs from Higher, six from Excess & Overdrive, one from Aggravation (the Kraftwerk cover Radioactivity) and three new songs. The new songs sound more like what they did on their two last albums with tribal rhythms and a more “groovy” approach that on the two first albums.

I was maybe a bit skeptic when I went to the concert but the band was good and the new musicians know their stuff. Marco has just lost a bit from his charisma and should lose a bit weight, if I can say. I have no doubt that the band can do big things in the future… if there is still a place for this kind of music…

one of my favorites and hard to find:

treponem pal - Renegade (Radio Mix) w
Sascha

[url “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vww2cNGA33s”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vww2cNGA33s