What makes Heresie by Univers Zéro notable?

Heresie is significant for its critical reception, often cited as a cornerstone of the RIO movement and influencing subsequent progressive rock bands. Its distinct sound garnered attention in underground music circles, leading to recognition by notable publications such as Rolling Stone and AllMusic. Released in 1979, Heresie is Univers Zéro's second studio album, following their debut, 'Ceux du Dehors' from 1977. At this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the RIO (Rock In Opposition) movement, embracing a more complex and darker sound that would define their future works.

How many songs are on Heresie?

Heresie has 3 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Heresie

Univers Zéro · 1979

51 min · 3 tracks · progressive rock

Dark, intricate compositions weave together classical influences and avant-garde structures, creating a haunting soundscape that defies conventional rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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La Faulx — The sprawling opener showcases the band's ability to fuse dissonant melodies with intense rhythmic sections, setting a tone of unsettling complexity that permeates the album.
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Jack the Ripper — This track's menacing atmosphere and intricate arrangements highlight Univers Zéro's penchant for storytelling through music, evoking themes of horror and tension.
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Vous le Saurez en Temps Voulu — With its haunting harmonies and dynamic shifts, this piece encapsulates the album's overall mood while displaying the band's mastery over time and texture.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Intricate compositions and a unique blend of classical and rock elements define this influential progressive rock album.

What we noticed

Each track incorporates classical instrumentation alongside traditional rock elements, blending strings and woodwinds with electric guitar and percussion.
The use of dissonance and atonality is prevalent, particularly in the opening track, which sets a dark tone that persists across the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 La Faulx 25:18
2 Jack the Ripper 13:29
3 Vous le Saurez en Temps Voulu 12:56

What to play next

Listen next

Ceux du dehors

1981

Go back to

1313

1977

Full Univers Zéro discography Artists like Univers Zéro

progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata