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Reviews

Rhùn — Evil Erbez
(Bandcamp Baboon Fish no#, 2026, CD / LP / DL)

Free Human Zoo — Live in Paris
(Soleil Zeuhl SZ66, 2026, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-09-30

Evil Erbez Cover artLive in Paris Cover art

One might be wondering why this reviewer is considering releases by two different artists in the same review. Both bands played live on the same night of March 8, 2024 at Le Zèbre in Paris, it was the the final night of the three-night Soleil Zeuhl festival. This style of music pioneered by Magma is still alive and well and thriving, even though both of these bands have their very own take on that general style.

Rhùn was first up, premiering a new leaner five-piece lineup now featuring electric guitar and dropping the saxophones and second keyboardist, a change from their recent albums Tozih (2023) and Tozzos (2024); whether that’s a permanent change or just for this show, I can’t speculate, but the quintet powered through five of the cuts taken from the two albums, opening with the nine-plus minute “Sédalg Rhëvé Including Ygahpoporhtna Lrig” from Tozih, a powerful edgy piece that exemplifies most of what Rhùn is all about. From there it was on to “Eripme Cirtcele” also from Tozih; Drummer Captain Flapattak, keyboardist Fabrice "Chfab" Chouette and bassist Retsim Käh have taken over the lead vocal duties since those studio releases, though all three were credited with vocals on them, so it’s not that big of a change. Both “Henc” and the manic “Theusz Amstrad” from Tozzos are performed in full, the former giving violinist Charlotte Pace some solo time in the spotlight, the latter showcasing some frenzied soloing by new guitarist Stöhn Bra Chët. Then the band premiered a couple new numbers, the monstrously bass-heavy “Remoosi” and “Swodnïw Eht,” a fast and nimble piece that features plenty of manic violin and vocals, everything taken to new heights. Rhùn’s set closes with the seventeen-plus minute epic “Emëht Um Rhët Sam” from Tozih, and although its studio counterpart was a few minutes longer, this live version really packs a punch, and gives every band member room to shine brightly. Was more played that was edited out? Don’t know, but as it is, this is 65 minutes of intense zeuhl music, and for anyone not yet familiar with Rhùn, this is an ideal place as any to start exploring their sound.

Free Human Zoo took the stage after Rhùn; the Paris based septet has a more jazz-informed take on the Zeuhl sound, featuring keyboards, guitars, bass guitar (and contrabass), drums, percussion, alto and soprano sax, and trombone with both male and female singers a large part of their sound. They’ve been around for over ten years, and released four full-length albums during that time (including one two-CD set) including this live gem. The first eight tracks here are culled from “Maniacus,” the closing suite on their first full-length album Freedom, Now! from 2016. One can definitely hear the jazzier aspects of Magma and Offering in their work, especially this piece, building out from their vocal energies, as well as some gifted playing by all of the group. The second half of their set includes a fresh interpretation of the band’s latest studio album L'Île Mystérieuse (The Mysterious Island) from 2023, and although some of the pieces are shorter than their studio counterparts everything important is included herein. In it the band is pulling further away from their Zeuhl roots — although it’s still very much in evidence, and finding their own voice within a jazz / minimalist vein, one can almost hear hints of Oregon at times in saxophonist Matthieu Metzger’s playing, and guitarist Alexis Delva turns in some insanely powerful soloing throughout the second half of their set. Both of these live albums deliver the intensity and power that can only be found outside of the studio setting, and both come highly recommended.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Rhùn, Free Human Zoo

More info
http://rhunmusic.bandcamp.com/album/evil-erbez
http://soleilzeuhl.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-paris

 

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