01	Improv: Pooks Part 1						03:22
	02	Psykial Trysm: Shafoo						06:49
	03	Psykial Trysm: Najha						06:13
	04	Etude De Shimshot						09:25
	05	Improv: Uncertain Journey						05:17
	06	Solilock						04:48
	07	Absinthe						09:21
	08	Crab Nebula						06:20
	09	Improv: Pooks Part 2						07:29

NeBeLNeST: self-titled
The Laser's Edge (LE 1032)
France 1999

Michael Anselmi, drums;
Cyril Malderez, guitar;
Gregory Tejedor, bass;
Olivier Tejedor, synthesizers, devices

Tracklist:
1. improv: pooks part 1 - 3:22
2. shafoo - 6:49
3. najha - 6:13
4. etude de shimshot - 9:25
5. improv: uncertain journey - 5:17
6. solilock - 4:48
7. absinthe - 9:21
8. crab nebula - 6:20
9. improv: pooks part 2 - 7:29

total time 59:04

Bob Eichler:
To me this band sounds kind of like Ozric Tentacles trying to play Larks/Starless/Red era King Crimson songs. The music is based on the thick and heavy feel of 70s Crimson, but also has the Tentacles feel of space rock and jamming. After reading Brandon Wu's review, I agree with his observation that most of the songs start slowly and build to a crushing climax. And his guess that the band would be great to see live is correct - I caught their ProgDay '99 performance and it was better than the studio album. The intense endings of some songs made the crowd erupt into cheers and applause. Still, the one comment I heard the most from people commenting on their set was that the band showed promise but needed to get a couple more albums under their belt before they'd be really great.
While there aren't too many hummable/memorable melodies on the album played by the guitar and keys, they're not totally absent either. They're used more for atmosphere and effect, although they do occasionally break out into a good riff here and there.
Overall I'd say the music meanders a bit too much for its own good. Edited down to 45 minutes or so, this would be a killer disc. As it is, it's just "good".

Brandon Wu:
Very dark and gloomy instrumental music featuring thunderous low-range bass playing and some pretty interesting drumming (the rhythm section has been compared to Magma's, but I fail to make this connection myself). The edginess is in part a result of the fact that the guitar and keys play virtually no memorable melodies, just insistent attacks on strange themes and motives. It's the rhythm section that propels this band, and a killer rhythm section it is - but sometimes I find myself wishing the lead instruments would play something just a little more conventional. From that criticism, most prog listeners should be able to figure out whether they will love or hate this release. :) My favorite is the "psykial trysm", tracks 2 and 3, which are somewhat related thematically; these are powerful and both are paced well and build nicely to loud, bass-heavy climaxes. This generally describes most of the compositions (as well as the improvs): they start off very quietly and build slowly and ominously. It works pretty well on this disc, though I still have some trouble really getting into the material, particularly the improvs, which seem even less coherent that the rest. In any case, I bet these guys would be incredible to see live - when they cook, they cook. Recommended to those who waver on the edge of avant-garde and RIO.






NEBELNEST
Written by Christian Axen

NeBeLNeST are a French instrumental group consisting of four talented musicians. The music strives in the King Crimson-vein, outmost exploratory with improvisations and strange rhythms and melodies. This album is a peculiar experience, exploring the unknown with very dark and moody compositions and improvisations. The disc features three improvised tracks and six compositions, which are truly charming, although not easily digestible to all. The songs start out delicate and progresses into an intense strangeness, not often unlike King Crimson. Some passages are dark to a depressing extent. The mellow sound created by this quartet of highly skilled musicians and the superb production work projects NeBeLNeST to the top league of the instrumental acts, a great debut album.




NeBeLNeST are one of the most adventurous and energetic young bands to emerge on the international post-rock / avant-progressive scene in recent years. The young French band is noted for its dark symphonic rock music influenced by King Crimson, Pulsar & Shylock, laced with psychedelia and improvisation, and played with a riveting level of energy and intensity that 70's bands never even considered! Nova Express, their second CD, is produced by Bob Drake of the 5uu's and Thinking Plague, and has recorded solo and other CDs for the ReR label. Drake's distinctive production techniques are a perfect match for NeBeLNeST, emphasizing and augmenting the wide dynamic range of the band's dark, mesmerizing sound.
"[Neblelnest] sent me [Nova Express], and I must say I find it shockingly great. If I was (no offense) looney enough to have a record label, they would be the first band I'd want to sign."-Dave Kerman

"This young quartet evoke the spirit of legendary Euroean Rock In Opposition bands such as Magma, Heldon and Univers Zero. Central to the sound is the continuous rolling boil of Michael Anselmi's drumming and the throbbing, groaning, all-over-the-fretboard bass work of Gregory Tejedor. The two often double up, playing rhythmic figures in unison, for a classic zeuhl bottom end that is absolutely relentless. Guitarist Cyril Malderrez and keyboardist Olivier Tejedor do their own riffing over the top, weaving long, intricate lines and motifs that are nimble and texturally rich, with enough energy and invention to sustain interest over the long haul. This is instrumemtnal prog rock at its very best." - Alternative Press/Bill Tilland.







NEBELNEST
Written by Christian Axen

NeBeLNeST are a French instrumental group consisting of four talented musicians. The music strives in the King Crimson-vein, outmost exploratory with improvisations and strange rhythms and melodies. This album is a peculiar experience, exploring the unknown with very dark and moody compositions and improvisations. The disc features three improvised tracks and six compositions, which are truly charming, although not easily digestible to all. The songs start out delicate and progresses into an intense strangeness, not often unlike King Crimson. Some passages are dark to a depressing extent. The mellow sound created by this quartet of highly skilled musicians and the superb production work projects NeBeLNeST to the top league of the instrumental acts, a great debut album.