NeBeLNeST - 2026 - Saalfelden 2007

(52:26; Cuneiform Records)






















NeBeLNeST were an adventurous and energetic young band who emerged onto the avant progressive rock scene in the late 90’s, but after the departure of founding guitarist Cyril Malderez in 2003 they went into a somewhat chaotic state and although Sébastien Carmona  stepped in to assist in recording the third album he soon left again afterwards. Eventually the band regrouped as a quintet with Olivier Tejedor (keyboards), Michael Anselmi (drums) and Gregory Tejedor (bass) being joined by Matthieu Sassier (guitar) and Julien Wack (saxophone, flute, guitar). They were to play three major dates in 2007, the first being the Rock in Opposition Festival in Carmaux, France, the second was NEARFest in the United States, with the last being the Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria. Afterwards, the band kept going into the studio but the fourth album was never completed, and the last set ended up being the final gig the band ever played.

Given the energy and tightness of the band portrayed in this 52-minute-long excerpt, that is honestly nothing short of shocking given the way they are mixing together so many different stylings from post rock to Canterbury, RIO to symphonic rock, all with a darkness and passion. The addition of Wack in particular had a major impact on the band’s sound, and his ability to switch onto second guitar alongside Sassier makes a real difference. It is a real shame that these two never actually recorded with NeBeLNeST, as one would imagine the outcomes would be fascinating as the versions of recorded songs they perform here are very different indeed to the originals.

Their energy is infectious, and when combined with complexity of their music and styles makes for absolutely compelling listening and all praise to Cuneiform for making this recording available it has captured the band at the very peak of their powers and their evaporation from the scene is nothing short of a musical travesty. If one enjoys complex intertwined RIO from musicians who love what they are doing and approach it with an almost punk mentality, then this is for you. 

Kev Rowland, July 2026

Links:
http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

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