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Knut (band)

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Knut
2010 promotional photo in Geneva
2010 promotional photo in Geneva
Background information
OriginGeneva,Switzerland
GenresMathcore,sludge metal
Years active1994–2012
LabelsHydra Head,Conspiracy, Snuff, Division, Head, Hummus
MembersDidier Séverin
Roderic Mounir
Jerome Doudet
Tim Robert-Charrue
Christian Valleise
Past membersThierry Van Osselt
Philippe Hess
Jeremy Tavernier
Gabriel Farine
Jerome Pellegrini
Thomas Guillanton
WebsiteKnuton Facebook

Knut(Russian word for "whip", pronounced "cnoot" ) were a Swissmathcore/sludge metalband fromGeneva,formed in 1994.

History

[edit]

The band started by playing in the local undergroundsquatscene, publishing a couple of seven-inch releases as well as their first CD in 1997, titledLeftovers.This early material was put out on Snuff Records, which was run by Roderic Mounir and Didier Séverin. In 1998, Knut released their first full-length,Bastardiser,which showcased a sharper and more focused aggression, combining heavily distorted guitars, odd-time signatures, use of discordance and repetition, and harsh vocals.[1][2][3][4]

The band started touring Europe and shared the stage with bands likeZeni Geva,The Young Gods,Blockheads,VoivodandNeurosis.The year 1999 would prove crucial for Knut, with tours alongsideConvergeandBotch,both of whom had released records on theHydra Headimprint. They brought Knut to the attention of label ownersAaron Turnerand Mark Thompson, who quickly decided to reissueBastardiserin the United States and invited them to tour. In August 2001, Knut completed an extensive trek on US soil[5]opening forIsis,playing alongsideThrones,Converge,Keelhaul,Pelican,Premonitions of War,Anodyne,The Cancer Conspiracy,ending at New York's infamousCBGBclub.

In 2002,Challengerwas released. Recorded at Serge Morattel's Rec Studio in Geneva, the album exceeded all expectations by pushing the envelope of heaviness, dynamics, atmosphere and chaos simultaneously.[6][7][8][9]It ended inTerrorizer Magazine's end of year list next toIsis,Mastodon,The Dillinger Escape Plan,Queens of the Stone AgeandMeshuggah.[10]Knut kept touring as much as they could, but never as a full-time activity. In 2004, the band took a break while planning their next moves, writing the follow-up toChallengerand working on an experimental remix album,Alter,with contributions fromJustin Broadrick,Mick Harris,Dalek,Francisco López,andAsmus Tietchens.[11][12][13]Terraformerwas recorded in late 2004 in Geneva, engineered by their friend Jerome Pellegrini (former Nostromo guitarist, now in Mumakil). Originally meant to be a demo of the album, the session proved satisfactory enough for a proper release.[14][15][16][17]

In May 2005, Roderic joinedJesufor a European tour, filling in on drums forTed Parsons.Before the release ofTerraformer,Phil Hess quit the band. Jeremy Tavernier took over guitar duties (as, in fact, he had done on most ofTerraformer) while Jerome Doudet joined on bass, quickly followed by Tim Robert-Charrue on second guitar. After several European tours in 2006, including the UK withTaintand an appearance atHellfestalongsideOpeth,Nile,Ringworm,CapricornsandCeltic Frost,Jeremy decided to leave and concentrate on hisgrindcoreband Mumakil. Christian Valleise took his spot and Knut quickly hit the road, including Eastern Europe with fellow Swiss noise act Monno. In 2008–2009 the band played a number of shows, refining their new formula and taking time to write what would become their fifth studio album.

In 2010, they released their first new studio album in more than five years.[18]Not content to simply recreate the sound of their past albums, Knut strove to reinvent themselves inWonderby incorporating new melodic elements andpsychedelicambience into their songs.[19][20][21][22]Festivals and tours followed, including Europe withKeelhaul,and Russia for the first time. But in January 2012, Knut announced that they were on "indefinite hiatus".[23]

Knut performing in 2011

In December 2013, the band briefly reconvened at Serge Morattel's Rec Studio for a cover ofGodflesh's "Merciless"song, featuringFranz TreichlerofThe Young Godson vocals. The track would open a tribute album titledFathers Of Our Flesh – Tribute to Godflesh,released in 2014 by Italian label Fobofile Productions and featuringNadja,Eagle Twin,Author & Punisher,Transitional, Omega Massif,Gnawand more.

Several vinyl reissues carried out the Knut legacy. In 2019, French imprint Head Records reissuedBastardiseron vinyl, freshly remastered by Lad Agabekov from Nostromo, using the original Snuff Records artwork. An essay detailing those recording sessions was written and uploaded with vintage pictures by the band.[24]In 2020, Swiss label Hummus Records gave Knut's first CDLeftoversits first-ever vinyl release, complete with reworked layout and once again a remaster by Lad Agabekov.[25][26]Terraformerfollowed in April 2021.

Former Knut members have carried out various musical endeavours. Roderic Mounir, Tim Robert-Charrue and Christian Valleise started a metallicnoiseact named Brutalist (2014–2018) with fellow Genevan guitarist Adriano Perlini. A five-track recording was uploaded in 2019.[27]Didier Séverin, for his part, actively explored the dark tones of electronicdronewith his strom|morts trio, resulting in a number of recorded collaborations.[28]

Séverin died on 23 March 2022, ceasing any hopes for the band to reform.[29]

On 24 March 2023, Didier's friends marked the first anniversary of his passing by holding an event at L'Usine, Geneva's main underground venue where he worked for a while a longtime ago. Called Didzfest,[30]it featured bands that were close to Knut (Nostromo, Impure Wilhelmina, HEX, TERM) as well as his latest drone band strom|morts performing as a two-piece, plus three noise/drone/ambient projects (POL, Solastalgia, The Dead Travel Fast). Former Knut members played a short instrumental set with longtime brothers Jimbob Isaac (formerTaint,Hark, now Silverburn mainman) and Panos Agoros (Dephosphorus) holding the mic on a couple of songs.

Members

[edit]

Final lineup

[edit]
  • Didier Séverin – vocals, electronics (1994–2012) (died 2022)
  • Roderic Mounir – drums, additional guitars (1994–2012)
  • Jerome Doudet – bass, additional electronics (2005–2012)
  • Tim Robert-Charrue – guitar (2006–2012)
  • Christian Valleise – guitar (2007–2012)

Former members

[edit]
  • Thierry Van Osselt – bass (1994–1998)
  • Philippe Hess – guitar (1994–2005)
  • Jeremy Tavernier – bass (1998–2005), guitar (2005–2006)
  • Gabriel Farine – bass (1998)
  • Jerome Pellegrini – bass (1998)
  • Thomas Guillanton – guitar (2003)

Discography

[edit]
  • Knut7 "(1994, self-released, 200 copies, hand-numbered)
  • Split 7 "with Ishma (1996, Bone Tone Records)
  • LeftoversMCD (1997, Snuff Records / 2003, Ronald Reagan Records / 2020, Hummus Records, vinyl)
  • Bastardiser(1998, Snuff Records / 1999, Chrome St. Magnus Records, vinyl / 2019, Head Records, vinyl)
  • Split 7 "with Tantrum (1998, Snuff Records/Vicious Circle)
  • Ordeal7 "(1999, Snuff Records/Molaire Industries)
  • DIY MCD (1999, self-released)
  • Live split 10 "withBotchand Ananda (2000, Mosh Bart Industries)
  • KnutCDEP (2001,Hydra Head Records)
  • Challenger(2002, Hydra Head Records / 2010, Division Records, gatefold cover, orange vinyl)
  • Terraformer(2005, CD on Hydra Head Records, vinyl on Conspiracy Records / 2021, Hummus Records, vinyl)
  • Alteranniversaryremix album(2006, Hydra Head Records)
  • Wonder(2010, Hydra Head Records/Conspiracy Records)

References

[edit]
  1. ^"KNUT 'Bastardiser' Album Review".lambgoat.com.Retrieved12 December2020.
  2. ^Bastardiser – Knut | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic,retrieved12 December2020
  3. ^"Knut Bastardiser".exclaim.ca.Retrieved12 December2020.
  4. ^"Knut".Ink 19.13 September 2001.Retrieved12 December2020.
  5. ^Iwasaki, Scott (10 August 2001)."Thrash/hard-core band Knut to play S.L."Deseret News.Retrieved12 December2020.
  6. ^"KNUT 'Challenger' Album Review".lambgoat.com.Retrieved12 December2020.
  7. ^"Knut Challenger".exclaim.ca.Retrieved12 December2020.
  8. ^Challenger – Knut | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic,retrieved12 December2020
  9. ^"HYBRIDMAGAZINE.COM | REVIEWS | Knut – Challenger".www.hybridmagazine.com.Retrieved12 December2020.
  10. ^"Rocklist.net....Terrorizer Magazine..."www.rocklistmusic.co.uk.Retrieved12 December2020.
  11. ^Punknews.org (6 February 2007)."Knut – Alter".www.punknews.org.Retrieved12 December2020.
  12. ^AltPress (8 September 2006)."Knut".Alternative Press.Retrieved12 December2020.
  13. ^"Knut: Alter".Pitchfork.Retrieved12 December2020.
  14. ^"Knut" Terraformer "CD".Aversion Online.28 February 2006.Retrieved12 December2020.
  15. ^Slevin, Patrick."Knut: Terraformer | The Aquarian".www.theaquarian.com.Retrieved12 December2020.
  16. ^"KNUT 'Terraformer' Album Review".lambgoat.com.Retrieved12 December2020.
  17. ^"Music Review: Knut – Terraformer".Tiny Mix Tapes.Retrieved12 December2020.
  18. ^"Punknews.org | Knut announces" Wonder "".Punknews.org. 16 April 2010.Retrieved16 May2010.
  19. ^"Knut – Wonder – Reviews".Rock Sound Magazine.
  20. ^"Knut Wonder".exclaim.ca.
  21. ^"NUTS FOR KNUT".MetalSucks.12 July 2010.
  22. ^"Knut".13 December 2010.
  23. ^"KNUT".www.facebook.com.
  24. ^"Knut – Bastardiser".Knut – Bastardiser(in French).Retrieved12 December2020.
  25. ^Kamiński, Karol (26 October 2020)."KNUT return with re-release of their groundbreaking debut Leftovers, discuss their legacy and more".IDIOTEQ.com.Retrieved12 December2020.
  26. ^"Track Premiere: Knut Cracks the Whip with" Spit "".Decibel Magazine.19 November 2020.Retrieved12 December2020.
  27. ^"BRUTALIST, by Brutalist".BRUTALIST.Retrieved12 December2020.
  28. ^"strom|morts".strom|morts.Retrieved12 December2020.
  29. ^"Knut Vocalist Didier Séverin Has Passed Away".ThePRP. 24 March 2022.Retrieved25 March2022.
  30. ^"DIDZFEST – Del~Uks Audio|Fokus".25 February 2023.
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