NeBeLNeST were one of the most adventurous and energetic young bands to emerge on the international post-rock / avant-progressive scene in the late 90s. The young French quartet was noted for its dark symphonic rock music influenced by King Crimson, Shylock and Univers Zero/Present, laced with psychedelia and improvisation, and played with a riveting level of energy and intensity derived from the hardcore and noise scenes.

Following the departure of founding guitarist Cyril Malderez in 2003, the band enters a turbulent period. Sébastien Carmona steps in for several live performances and countless rehearsals, helping bring to completion, through much struggle, the group’s third album, ZePTO. This chaotic phase eventually leads to Sébastien’s departure, and he is swiftly replaced by Mathieu Sassier, ensuring that the band can honor its live commitments for 2007.

With strong support from Cuneiform Records, NeBeLNeST is invited to perform at the prestigious NEARFest International Festival in the United States, sharing the stage with legendary acts such as Hawkwind and Magma. Yet, as has often been the case for NeBeLNeST, nothing comes easily. Mathieu initially declines the U.S. invitation, his academic commitments take priority. The band then turns to Julien Wack, a guitarist/saxophonist long connected to the NeBeLNeST circle, to fill the position.

Rehearsals for the live dates begin in quintet form, and it is ultimately as a five-piece that NeBeLNeST goes on to perform three landmark shows in its history:
- The Rock in Opposition Festival in Carmaux, France
- NEARFest in the United States
- The Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria

The Rock in Opposition performance remains a bitter memory. Since the band stood firm in refusing to give up the recording rights, no festival sound engineers stepped in to assist with the mix. That lack of technical support and the quiet tension it created inevitably left its mark on the show, resulting in a performance that fell short of expectations.

But this setback acts as a wake-up call. Intense rehearsals follow, and NeBeLNeST departs for the U.S. more determined than ever, eight years after their first American tour built around ProgDay 1999. At NEARFest, they hit it off quickly with the members of Magma and enjoy time with old friends of Orion Studios (Baltimore). Despite recurring technical issues throughout the festival, the performance becomes one of the band’s finest memories.

Olivier also had the great pleasure of performing with our friends from 5uu’s, Bob Drake and Dave Kerman. He literally arrived on stage just three seconds before the start of the set, delayed by Nebelnest’s autograph session with the fans, he had completely lost track of time! This last-minute, improvisational vibe perfectly matched the spirit of the show, with Dave Kerman arriving on stage in pajamas, a bathrobe, and a shower cap, complete with a pillow he placed on the drums, ready to snooze through the set in perfect drummer style.

Saalfelden 2007 press release

NeBeLNeST were one of the most adventurous and energetic young bands to emerge on the international post-rock / avant-progressive scene in the late 90s. The young French band was noted for its dark symphonic rock music influenced by King Crimson, Shylock and Univers Zero/Present, laced with psychedelia and improvisation, and played with a riveting level of energy and intensity derived from the hardcore and noise scenes. In the words of the Chicago Tribune: “these French sound sculptors chisel out large-scale instrumentals that pair up the weird sonics and improvisational bent of mid-period King Crimson with a Gong-like space fusion ambience...[They] borrow bits and pieces of old school art rock and arrange them into a singular sound awash in dissonance and strangely mutated guitar/keyboard tones.”

NeBeLNeST was formed in May 1997 as an instrumental quartet consisting of brothers Olivier and Gregory Tejedor (keyboards and bass); Cyril Malderez (guitar); and Michäel Anselmi (drums). Three of the members – the Tejedors and Malderez -- had formerly played together in the hardcore band Chemistry, while the fourth, Anselmi, came from a background in the noise/rave band Ventrilock.

Recorded in 1998, the band’s first album, the self-titled NeBeLNeST, was released in 1999 by the American label Laser’s Edge. The band released two further albums, both on Cuneiform Records, in 2002 (NoVa eXPReSS) and 2006 (ZePTO). The group continued to work on recordings but released nothing further and their cessation came in 2013.

In June 2020, Cuneiform contacted them about the idea of reissuing their first album digitally. The idea was met with great enthusiasm and also with a litany of problems, as reported by Nico Puchot, the band’s long-time friend and manager:

2020: Search for tapes in Nico's very humid cellar....my fault... One of the 6 tapes is missing!

2021: The tape is found...rotten!

2021: Professional restoration to get rid of mold.

2021: After a few weeks of research, a used ADAT tape recorder is bought. A test tape is eaten during the first transfer attempt! We are very anxious about the result of the digital transfer of the six ADATs! I hope we have not spent 1000 € for some crappy unusable moldy tapes lost in a cellar since last century!

2021: The band tasked Gecko, an expert company, to digitize the tapes. The tapes are transferred at the same time as the private tapes collection of Pierre Henry.

2021: Damned! The second part of the "Absinthe" tracks is damaged...10 seconds of the drum part are lost. Olivier Tejedor digitally restores the missing part.

2022: The album is remixed and mastered by Olivier Tejedor.

2022: New artworks are designed by JH with the digitized drawings of Fred Avignon and the photos of Robert Levy
(Chicago 1999).

2023: NeBeLNeST is born again and released on Cuneiform Records via BandCamp. 
credits
released December 29, 2023

Michaël ANSeLMI : drums
Cyril MALDeReZ : guitar
Gregory TeJeDOR : bass
Olivier TeJeDOR : synth, devices

Recorded during a time of chaos and transition for the band - their original guitarist appears on some of the album, as well as his replacement, who has also since left - the uncertainly that they were dealing with filled their music with an exciting tension. Happily, since the album was recorded, they have found a new replacement guitarist and have been busier playing concerts than during anytime in recent years.

"...stunning...powerful and complex...the relentless pace of this album is a challenge to keep up with and multiple listens through the aural pain barrier are essential to even begin to understand where this band is going." - Classic Rock Society

Zepto press release

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 (who 3 years later went looney and now runs a record label. Coincidence? You decide!)

"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