Eric Delaunay ‎– Antagonisme! (1980, LP, France)

Violent and dark French progressive in Magma and Art Zoyd vein. Full of breaks, powerfull keys and furious guitar.

Tracklist:
A1. Antagonisme (5:14)
A2. Histoire De Monsieur K (3:36)
A3. Ballade (8:41)
B1. Amuse-Gueule (3:07)
B2. Celui Par Qui Tout Arrive (8:24)
B3. Final (5:07)

Musicians:
Bass – Paul Amar
Drums – Eric Delaunay
Guitar – Philippe Bambuk
Keyboards – Jean-Marc Thiébaud

LP / Vogue ‎– 574021

Reviews: A sorely-missed French drummer, active during Prog's more muddy period, Robert Eric Delaunay was born in 1954 and he was a member of the early form of Asia Minor, joining them in 1976 and quiting the following year.In 1980 he released his sole personal effort ''Antagonisme'', which is maybe quite unknown even among Prog fans, but it was released on the important French label Vogue. Apart from Delaunay the album features also Philippe Bambuk on guitars, Jean-Marc Thiebaud on keyboards and Paul Amar on bass.
This is definitely a lost gem of intricate and innovative, all instrumental Progressive Rock with the six tracks offering bombastic and complex music with Fusion and light symphonic elements, somewhat pointing out Delaunay's future with TIEMKO. While it lacks the more Avant Garde touches of the later and it's built upon a questionable production result, ''Antagonisme'' is a monumental work of captivating and adventurous pieces, executed along the lines of KING CRIMSON, HAPPY THE MAN, GENTLE GIANT and THE MUFFINS, based on endless breaks, pounding drumming, very complex bass work and virtuosic guitar plays.The album comes mostly in a Prog/Fusion vein with impressive time signatures and technical moves, which burst evident symphonic and jazzy influences, performed in a unique way with a certain rockin' attitude and some slight experimental passages with odd synthesizer lines and melancholic guitars in the process.For fans of more down-to-earth music forms, ''Antagonisme'' contains also plenty of beautiful melodies in some guitar parts like on ''Amuse-Gueule'', which holds some similarities with HOLDING PATTERN or ''Final'' wiith its excellent guitar moves and the dreamy keys in the background.
As aforementioned, Delaunay would become the leading figure of French Prog/Fusion act Tiemko next to Jean-Jacques Toussaint, whom he knew from late-70's, when they played together in a band called Phoenix.With Halloween's keyboardist Gilles Coppin and guitarist Jean-Pascal Boffo he would also perform in Deboco.But his activities would be cut short in 1996, when he suddenly passed away, leaving much to be desired.
A fantastic and unknown album of complex, instrumental Progressive Rock, which deserves a proper reissue, and the best tribute to Eric Delaunay and his long career in Prog music.No less than highly recommended. (apps79/RYM)

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